Ford Escape vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2024 Ford Escape received a significant facelift, with Ford aiming to rejuvenate its appeal. The front end was restyled to present a more aggressive look, while new wheel designs and updated technology, including next-generation infotainment and enhanced safety features, were introduced. Despite these changes, the overall design remained soft and generically appealing. The trim lineup was revamped, with the Base trim dropped, leaving options like Active, ST-Line, and Platinum, among others. Our test vehicle, an ST-Line Elite, came with premium features like diamond-stitched leather and a panoramic roof, but the interior's glossy surfaces and stiff upholstery raised questions about its high price tag.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt maintained a familiar look, with slight styling changes that made it resemble a conventional gas-powered car more than an EV. The model continued to straddle the line between a large hatchback and a subcompact SUV, with a single body style offered for 2027. The Bolt's interior saw a more dramatic makeover, featuring a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. Despite the hard plastic surfaces that reinforced its budget feel, the Bolt provided adequate storage and comfort, with the RS trim offering synthetic leather and red stitching for a sportier touch.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite offered two powertrain options: a 192-horsepower hybrid with an expected 39 mpg in combined driving, and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, averaging 26 mpg. Our test vehicle featured the turbo engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. While the turbocharged engine provided quick acceleration, the driving dynamics didn't match the sporty appearance promised by the ST badge. The ride was soft and compliant, with nimble handling in typical driving situations but excessive body motion otherwise. The turbo engine seemed wasted in this application, and the hybrid powertrain was recommended for better fuel economy.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and requiring fewer rare earth minerals. A motor from Chevy's Equinox EV delivered 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, with 0-60 mph times similar to the previous Bolt EV. The Bolt's acceleration was quick compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs, with immediate pedal response. One-pedal driving was available, and the ride was firm but not overly stiff. The Bolt's agility on curvy roads was surprising, thanks to its low center of gravity. The EPA estimated a range of 262 miles on a full charge, with a Tesla-derived NACS charge port standard on all models.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line offered a black interior with cloth inserts and artificial leather bolsters, accented by red stitching. Leather was optional with the ST-Line Elite trim, but the quality was questionable. The test model included features like ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats. The front seats were large and supportive, with a height-adjustable passenger seat. The back seat was comfortable when slid to its rearmost position, and interior storage was generous in front. Cargo volume measured 37.5 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 65.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt provided an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants. The rear seats offered plenty of headroom and thigh support, with a flat floor reducing the penalty for center-seat passengers. Cargo capacity was 16.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, and ample storage for personal items was available up front. The Bolt lacked a frunk but compensated with various storage solutions, including a large bin with dividers and a wireless phone charger.

The 2024 Ford Escape featured digital instrumentation, with upper trims like the ST-Line Elite offering a 12.3-inch display. The 13.2-inch Sync 4 infotainment system impressed with its landscape format and intuitive layout, though the color theme and thin fonts were drawbacks. Lower trims had an 8-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the larger screen added Amazon Alexa and connected navigation. The test vehicle's Bang & Olufsen sound system was damaged, but the voice recognition system was excellent. The optional head-up display and Active Park Assist 2.0 were part of the Premium Technology Package.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt came with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, requiring Bluetooth pairing for music. The optional Technology package added features like a surround-view camera system and a wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and quick responses. The Bolt's navigation system helped find charging stations and preconditioned the battery for optimal charging. Vehicle-to-load charging was also available, allowing the Bolt to serve as a backup power source.

The 2024 Ford Escape included a standard post-collision automatic braking system and Ford Co-Pilot360 driving assistance systems. Features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist were standard, with adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system available on the ST-Line Elite. The lane-keeping systems displayed inconsistent behavior on certain roads, but performed better on freeways. The NHTSA gave the Escape five-star ratings, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not rated the 2024 model, but the 2023 version received Good ratings, except for a Marginal score in a new side-impact test.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt's crash test results were not available, but it was expected to achieve high scores based on its platform. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system and traffic-sign recognition. GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving system was available for an additional cost, making the Bolt one of the few budget EVs with such an advanced system.