2024 Ford Escape vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from Volvo's past design ethos, which was often likened to utilitarian appliances. The XC90 presented a purposeful yet understated exterior, with a stout front end and an assertive grille that avoided being overly flashy. Its signature "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, distinguishing it from the boxy Volvos of the past. The test vehicle, in AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels and a Platinum Gray paint with subtle brown undertones, adding depth to its appearance. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with its two-tone leather steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior design, complemented by wood deco inlays, created a serene and sophisticated atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2024 Ford Escape underwent a restyling in 2023, which carried over into the 2024 model, giving it a more aggressive front-end appearance. The Escape's overall design remained soft and generically appealing, with a focus on practicality. The ST-Line Elite trim, tested with Rapid Red paint and black 19-inch wheels, aimed to convey sportiness. However, the interior, despite its diamond-stitched leather and tech upgrades, fell short in terms of tactile quality. The glossy surfaces and stiff upholstery detracted from the upscale impression. While the Escape's updates made it more appealing, it still lacked the refinement and attention to detail found in the XC90.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines, replacing the older T5 and T6 powertrains. These engines featured mild-hybrid technology, enhancing fuel efficiency and smoothness. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 powertrain, equipped with a supercharger and turbo, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. While the mild-hybrid setup didn't allow for electric-only driving, it improved fuel-saving auto stop-start technology. The XC90 offered a composed driving experience, with minimal body roll and quick acceleration. Its eight-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly, and the brakes inspired confidence. The XC90's simplicity in driving dynamics, with limited customizable modes, appealed to those seeking straightforward operation.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite offered a choice between a 192-horsepower hybrid powertrain and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The test vehicle featured the turbo engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The Escape's driving modes included Eco, Normal, Sport, and Slippery, but it lacked an Off-Road mode. While the turbo engine provided quick acceleration, the ST-Line's ride was soft, and handling was less connected than expected. The brake pedal was responsive, but the steering felt sluggish. The Escape's sporty appearance didn't fully translate to its driving dynamics, and the turbo engine's potential was underutilized. The hybrid powertrain offered better fuel efficiency, making it a more practical choice for those seeking cost savings.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior exuded Scandinavian minimalism, creating a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere. However, this design approach led to some space and storage frustrations. The XC90 lacked dedicated cubby space for smaller items, and the USB port for phone charging was inconveniently located in the small center console bin. While the second row was comfortable and spacious, adjusting the seats proved challenging. The standard seven-passenger seating could be modified to six-passenger with captain's chairs, but this required an upgrade to the B6 engine. Accessing the third row was difficult, and space was limited. Cargo capacity measured 12.5 cubic feet with the third row in place, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, and maxing out at 65.5 cubic feet. Despite its smaller size, the XC90 drove like a more compact vehicle.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line offered a black interior with cloth inserts and artificial leather bolsters, accented by red stitching for a sporty look. Leather seats were optional in the ST-Line Elite trim, but their feel was subpar. The test model featured ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Escape's front seats were large and supportive, while the back seat provided comfort when slid to its rearmost position. Interior storage was generous in the front, but rear passengers had fewer accommodations. Cargo volume measured 37.5 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 65.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The Escape offered practical storage solutions, including deep storage areas and a grocery bag hook.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, making it the first vehicle to offer this technology as standard. Google OS integrated Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant, enhancing the user experience with natural-language recognition. Owners could also issue commands via Google Home devices. However, the reliance on the touchscreen for key functions led to some frustration, as more physical buttons and redundant controls would have been preferable. While the minimalist design was appealing, adjusting features like the heated steering wheel required screen interaction. Despite these challenges, the XC90's tech offerings were impressive, and familiarity with the system would likely improve over time.

The 2024 Ford Escape came equipped with digital instrumentation, with lower trims featuring an 8-inch display and upper trims, like the ST-Line Elite, boasting a 12.3-inch display. The standout feature was the 13.2-inch Sync 4 infotainment system, presented in a landscape format for reduced distraction. The system's content was well-organized, but the color theme and thin fonts made it difficult to read at a glance. Climate controls were integrated into the screen, which was not ideal. Sync 4 included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and FordPass Connect services. The larger display added Amazon Alexa and connected navigation. The test vehicle's Bang & Olufsen sound system had damaged speakers, preventing a sound quality assessment. While the voice recognition system was excellent, the wireless smartphone charger caused overheating. The optional head-up display projected data onto a clear plastic piece, but its utility was limited.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety innovation, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS in 2022. The XC90 came equipped with advanced driver safety tech, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology. These features worked seamlessly, even in challenging traffic conditions, providing a reassuring driving experience. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in the standard inclusion of these technologies, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in automotive safety.

The 2024 Ford Escape featured a standard Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The ST-Line Elite trim added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, lane-centering assist, and a 360-degree camera system. While the Co-Pilot360 technology performed well on freeways, it displayed inconsistent behavior on winding roads, leading to some frustration. The NHTSA awarded the Escape five-star ratings, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not yet rated the 2024 model, but the 2023 Escape received Good ratings, except for a Marginal score in a new side-impact test.