2023 Volvo XC40 vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Volvo XC40 maintained its distinctive, flat-roofed profile, embodying Volvo’s clean design language without unnecessary detailing. Gasoline models featured hidden tailpipes, aligning with Volvo’s pro-electrification ethos, and fog lights were standard on Plus and Ultimate models. Updates for 2023 included new pixelated “Thor’s Hammer” headlights, a more angular front bumper, and new wheel designs. The XC40 Recharge was easily identifiable by its new sealed-off grille. Inside, the XC40 continued with a minimalist design, featuring thin air vents, scalloped door elements, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Leather upholstery was available, with vegan leather for Recharge models. The Ultimate test vehicle included a panoramic moonroof and an Orrefors crystal shift knob, though the all-black interior felt somewhat utilitarian.

The 2023 Ford Escape shifted away from its earlier blocky design to a more European aesthetic. A 2023 refresh replaced the cartoonish grille with a traditional front end featuring the Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar. Trim levels ranged from Active to ST-Line Elite, with the ST-Line Elite test vehicle sporting 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps. Inside, the ST-Line Elite flaunted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, which, while visually appealing, felt hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat was easy to configure. However, the interior was dominated by plastic, some of which felt scratchy and poorly reinforced.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 introduced mild-hybrid powertrains, featuring a 48-volt electrical system and a 13-horsepower integrated starter generator. The base B4 powertrain combined this system with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 197 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. The B5 model offered a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo-four, rated at 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B4 being FWD-only and the B5 AWD-only. The B4 and B5 models could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 8.1 and 6.1 seconds, respectively. The XC40 Recharge, with its two electric motors, produced 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and an EPA-rated 223-mile range. The Recharge also had a higher towing capacity of 4,409 pounds compared to the B5 AWD’s 3,500 pounds.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options. The base engine was a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder, delivering 180 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in FWD or AWD. Higher trims like the ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, producing 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, exclusively with AWD. Despite the four-cylinder’s impressive output, the Escape was not a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and no paddle shifters. The brakes were predictable and linear, and the soft suspension was beneficial on rough roads. The steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2023 Volvo XC40, while marketed as an SUV, was better suited for solo commuting than carpooling. It offered reasonable space among its competitors, with ample rear-seat headroom and average legroom. The XC40 provided 20 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 46.9 cubic feet with them folded, less than the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. Interior storage was good, with large door panel carve-outs and a spacious center console storage bin.

The 2023 Ford Escape was comfortable, with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The front-door armrests were well-positioned, and the front-seat cupholders were conveniently arranged. The Escape offered up to 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the second row folded, falling short of leaders like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Passenger space was slightly less than some competitors, but the back seat’s headroom and padded front-seat backs helped maximize space for tall passengers.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 featured an Android-based infotainment system with Google apps, including Google Maps and Google Assistant. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 9-inch touchscreen were standard, with a 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio system available on higher trims. The lack of analog controls meant most functions were accessed via the touchscreen, which could be cumbersome for some users.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 system. Lower trims had an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured a 13.2-inch screen. Sync 4 was well-organized, with easy navigation between Android Auto and the native system. However, it was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob’s placement was inconvenient. Despite these minor issues, Sync 4’s feature set and layout were impressive.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system. The XC40 received top ratings from the NHTSA and mostly good ratings from the IIHS, though it scored “Acceptable” in the updated side-impact test.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to a “Marginal” score in the updated side-impact test. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Upgrading to Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.