2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's design continued to attract admiration since its inception. Its lifted, boxy look with a characteristic seven-slot grille exudes both toughness and upscale appeal. The addition of over a foot to its length did not detract from its classic style. An exemplar in Hydro Blue with the High Altitude package highlighted this with dark accents on the grille, logos, and 21-inch wheels. The interior of the Grand Cherokee L, particularly in the upper trims, was downright luxurious. The dashboard featured a polished black face, hiding a passenger touchscreen, complemented by black leather with gold stitching and walnut trim. Its seats, adorned with diamond-pattern stitching, were equally inviting. Although not every material matched Mercedes-level of refinement, the overall feel was remarkably upscale for a $70,000 SUV.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape embraced a more modern, European-influenced design. A refreshed grille replaced earlier models' more cartoonish "smiling goldfish" look, adding sophistication with an LED light bar beneath the Ford blue oval logo. The ST-Line Elite trim we examined flaunted 19-inch wheels, body-color mirror caps, and sleek cladding instead of rugged plastic. Inside, while the diamond-stitched leather upholstery looked appealing, it felt harder and plasticky, lacking top-tier leather warmth. However, the back seat offered generous headroom and padded front-seat backs, enhancing comfort for rear passengers.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L fell short in terms of engine performance with its standard V6, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This 3.6-liter Pentastar engine was considered underwhelming, and its sport mode failed to significantly uplift the powertrain quality. Drivers faced a noisy experience during acceleration, and the heavy SUV lacked desirable low-end torque. The recommended 5.7-liter Hemi V8 provided a more satisfying 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, beneficial especially for towing up to 7,200 pounds. The V8 offered a distinct auditory thrill but at the cost of poorer fuel efficiency. Nonetheless, the Grand Cherokee L's solid chassis and adjustable air suspension delivered superior handling and ride comfort compared to many luxury competitors.

The 2023 Ford Escape featured two engine choices for a versatile performance lineup. Its 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder produced 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, suitable for standard driving conditions and available with both FWD and AWD. Higher trims, including our ST-Line Elite test model, housed a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, generating a formidable 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This combination made the Escape agile in acceleration and passing maneuvers. Although not a performance crossover, its soft suspension provided a comfortable, compliant ride while coping well with city potholes. The brakes were reliably linear, though the steering inputs lacked precision but balanced maneuverability at low speeds.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L capitalized on its extended length, adding five inches to the wheelbase, thus affording ample legroom in the second row. Even tall passengers felt comfortable in the spacious cabin, especially with the optional second-row center console on higher trims, equipped with multiple climate zones and heated/ventilated seats. The third row, while power-foldable and accessible, remained tight for adults and best suited for children. Visibility and sightlines from the driver's seat were commendable, but the infotainment graphics and tiny readouts posed legibility challenges. Cargo space was a strong point, offering 17 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet behind the second row, and a substantial 85 cubic feet with both rows folded down, topping its class.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered a comfortable interior with ergonomically designed seats and a thoughtfully arranged dashboard. However, it lagged in cargo space compared to its rivals, such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, with a maximum of 37.5 cubic feet of storage behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with seats folded. Despite this shortfall, the back seat provided generous headroom, and strategic padding on the front-seat backs made it reasonably spacious for taller rear passengers. These elements contributed to a practical yet somewhat cramped experience for larger cargo needs.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L impressed with its variety of tech features across different trims. The lower trims had an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel. However, upper trims boasted a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen and advanced navigation features integrated into the instrument panel. The Uconnect 5 system, although user-friendly, suffered minor legibility issues. The McIntosh sound system delivered high-quality audio, albeit lacking some surround imaging from rear speakers. Noteworthy tech features included superb night vision, Active Driving Assist for semi-automated highway driving, and a luxurious 16-way power front seat with massage programs. The passenger screen was a standout feature, allowing front passengers control over various functions without distracting the driver.

The 2023 Ford Escape, with its Sync 4 system, ensured an engaging and intuitive tech experience. The technology suite was markedly enhanced by the optional 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering a streamlined interface for navigation, music, and connectivity features. Sync 4 performed admirably, despite occasional sluggishness and minor ergonomic flaws like the misplaced volume knob. However, the system’s static “Home” button improved navigation between features, while wireless compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay added to the convenience.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L earned top marks in safety, achieving a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for models built after May 2023, and a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, except for a four-star rating in rollover tests. The Grand Cherokee L’s robust safety suite included standard forward and rear emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and front cross-traffic braking. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and night vision, enhancing the safety profile.

The 2023 Ford Escape also delivered strong safety credentials, receiving a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. However, it fell short in the IIHS' side-impact test, earning a Marginal rating, though it performed well in other assessments. Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite covered vital safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. For those seeking additional safety tech, Co-Pilot360 2.0 offered adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, and a surround-view camera, ensuring a comprehensive safety net.