2023 Genesis GV80 vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Genesis GV80 presented a sophisticated and graceful exterior with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille, embodying a stately presence as a midsize SUV. The standard 19-inch wheels were upgraded to 22-inch alloy wheels in the Prestige trim, enhancing its elegant appearance. The rear design mirrored the front with four-part taillamps above the dual exhaust, and the hands-free liftgate maintained a boxy shape, which did not detract from its overall elegance. The matte Brunswick Green paint added a touch of refinement, which continued inside with quilted leather seats. The interior featured a split dash with thin horizontal air vents, metal, and matte wood trim, and a center console with three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes. The two-spoke steering wheel was distinctive, though the 14.5-inch infotainment screen seemed awkwardly placed atop the dash. Despite this minor annoyance, the interior was spacious and luxurious, offering a pleasant environment.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape adopted a more European design language, moving away from the rugged, boxy aesthetic of its predecessors. The 2023 refresh replaced the cartoonish grille with a traditional front end, featuring the Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar. The Escape offered various trim levels, with the ST-Line Elite showcasing 19-inch wheels, body-color mirror caps, and wheel-arch cladding for a sleek design. The interior of the ST-Line Elite flaunted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, which, while visually appealing, felt hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable and well-padded, with a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat for easy customization. The interior featured a mix of plastic materials, some with a nice textured appearance, but overall felt cost-cutting. Despite this, the Escape provided a comfortable driving experience with well-weighted steering inputs and predictable braking.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 offered all-wheel drive with a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, or a turbo 3.5-liter V6 delivering 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the GV80 was not particularly athletic or nimble, taking about five and a half seconds to reach sixty, it excelled in highway driving. The power delivery and shifts were smooth, and the electronically controlled suspension, combined with active noise cancellation, provided a quiet and comfortable freeway commute.

The 2023 Ford Escape differentiated itself with multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with all-wheel drive. Despite the four-cylinder’s impressive output, the Escape was not a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and no paddle shifters for manual gear changes. The brakes offered predictable stopping power, and the steering inputs were well-weighted, providing a comfortable ride on rough roads.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 compensated for its lack of driving excitement with luxury features and spaciousness. Standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were complemented by ventilated front and rear seats, and the Ergo Motion driver’s seat helped reduce fatigue. The Nappa leather seats were sumptuous, and a third row was available, though with limited legroom. The GV80 featured Genesis puddle lamps, a proximity key, a digital key, tri-zone climate control, and an optional 21-speaker stereo system. The cargo space was generous, with 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 84 cubic feet with the seats folded, and a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered comfortable seating with excellent ergonomics, though the steering wheel was visually unremarkable. The front-door armrests and center console armrest were well-positioned, and the head-up display was adjustable for different drivers. The Escape’s cargo space was 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, falling short of some competitors. Passenger space was adequate, with slightly less rear-seat legroom but impressive headroom. The front-seat backs were padded and scalloped to maximize space for rear passengers.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. The infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, and the dial control was cumbersome, though it offered handwriting detection. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wirelessly, along with wireless charging, USB ports, and outlets. The GV80’s remote smart parking assist allowed the car to maneuver in and out of parking spaces without the driver inside, using the key fob.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 technology, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 13.2-inch screen on higher trims. The larger screen enhanced the cabin’s look, and Sync 4 was well-organized with easy navigation between applications. The system was slightly slow to respond, and the volume knob was inconveniently placed, but these were minor issues given the overall ease of use and feature set.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver’s aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The digital gauge cluster displayed a video feed of the blind spot, and Highway Drive Assist provided semi-autonomous driving on approved highways. The GV80 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating from the IIHS, with some areas rated Acceptable.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS did not award it a Top Safety Pick due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology for a semi-autonomous driving experience.