2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape showcased a departure from its earlier rugged, boxy design, embracing a more European aesthetic. The refresh introduced a traditional front end with a centered Ford logo and a stylish LED light bar, replacing the previous grille. The ST-Line Elite trim, which we tested, featured 19-inch wheels and body-color accents, giving it an upscale appearance akin to a Mazda CX-5. Inside, the Escape boasted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt somewhat hard and plasticky. Despite this, the seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat provided excellent long-distance driving comfort. However, the interior was dominated by plastic, some of which felt cost-cutting.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser retained its iconic boxy look, with a flat roof and heritage-inspired details across its trims. The grille and lighting elements paid homage to past models, while modern touches like LED lighting and color-selectable fog lights added contemporary flair. The interior of the mid-grade model we tested was comfortable, with SofTex seats and a padded center console. The First Edition trim offered real leather and additional off-road gear. The cabin emphasized comfort and capability, with features like heated seats and a heated steering wheel standard across all trims. The Premium Package added a moonroof and ventilated seats, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque, available in FWD or AWD. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired exclusively with AWD. While the Escape provided a comfortable ride with a soft suspension, it lacked performance tuning, and the transmission offered no manual control. The brakes were predictable, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 1.87-kWh battery, and a 48-hp electric motor, producing a total of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time 4WD. The Multi-Terrain Select system and locking differentials enhanced off-road capability. The ability to disconnect the front sway bar improved articulation, while the updated CRAWL control system offered silent operation over challenging terrain. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions, with features like a push-button sway bar disconnect and a refined transmission.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided comfortable seating and good ergonomics, with well-positioned armrests and convenient cupholders. It offered a head-up display for easy driver adjustment. However, it fell short in cargo space, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with seats folded, trailing behind competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Rear-seat legroom was slightly less than rivals, but headroom was impressive, and the front-seat backs were designed to maximize space for taller passengers.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, based on the Prado, featured two rows of seating with headroom measuring 36.1 inches in the front and 35.3 inches in the back. Legroom was 33.0 inches in the front and 26.7 inches in the rear. The center console housed off-road controls, and the Premium Package included a cool box. The cargo area offered 37.5 cubic feet of space, with a raised load floor and a rubber mat for easy cleaning. The trunk included a 120-volt AC outlet and USB-C ports in higher trims.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 system, featuring an 8-inch or optional 13.2-inch touchscreen. The larger screen enhanced the cabin's look and offered intuitive navigation with tiles for various functions. While Sync 4 was easy to use, it was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob's placement was inconvenient. Despite minor annoyances, the system's features and layout were commendable.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser's Multi-Terrain Monitor system, standard on higher trims, was invaluable off-road. The 12.3-inch touchscreen provided clear visuals, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The base model had an 8-inch display, while the middle trim offered a 10-speaker system, upgradeable to a 14-speaker JBL system with the Premium Package. Additional features included a head-up display and digital rear-view mirror.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in most tests. However, it scored Marginal in the IIHS side-impact test. Standard safety features included Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, with options for Co-Pilot360 2.0, adding adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Toyota's safety reputation provided confidence. Standard features included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, with adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and more. The Premium Package added advanced features like lane-keep assist and traffic jam assist.