Ford Escape vs INFINITI QX60

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 underwent a comprehensive redesign, marking the beginning of its second generation. This transformation included a striking new exterior with a prominent grille, slim LED headlights, and a concept-car-like appearance enhanced by chrome accents. The interior was equally impressive, featuring a spacious and open feel with quilted leather upholstery and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The QX60's craftsmanship and build quality were evident, originating from the Nissan plant in Smyrna, Tennessee.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape adopted a more European design language, moving away from its previous blocky exterior. The refreshed model featured a traditional front end with a stylish LED light bar and a Ford blue oval logo. The Escape's interior boasted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt somewhat hard and plasticky. Despite this, the seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power adjustable driver's seat provided a pleasant driving experience. The Escape's design aimed for an upscale look, similar to a Mazda CX-5.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 offered a superior driving experience with its nine-speed automatic transmission, replacing the previous CVT. Powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, it delivered 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. The QX60's suspension, featuring MacPherson struts and an independent multilink setup, provided a smooth and serene ride. Fuel economy was estimated at 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway for FWD models and 20 mpg city/25 mpg highway for AWD. While not designed for off-road adventures, the QX60 excelled on highways and suburban streets.

The 2023 Ford Escape stood out with multiple powertrain options. The 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine produced 180 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque, while the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine offered 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Escape's suspension was soft and compliant, providing a comfortable ride on rough roads. The brakes offered predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding twitchy inputs common in some competitors.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 provided ample interior space, with a three-row configuration and thoughtful storage solutions. The second-row seats could slide to share space between rows, and the third row was accessible with one-touch folding seats. Cargo capacity was generous, with 14.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 75.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The QX60 also offered a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds with the towing package.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered comfortable seating and excellent ergonomics. However, it fell short in cargo space compared to some competitors, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Passenger space was slightly limited in the rear, but headroom was impressive. The Escape's interior was well-designed for daily use, though it might feel cramped during larger moves.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 impressed with its technology offerings, including a 12.3-inch InTouch Interactive display with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. The Autograph trim featured a 10.8-inch head-up display and a smart rearview mirror. The QX60 also included a 17-speaker Bose Performance series sound system on higher trims, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2023 Ford Escape featured the Sync 4 infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 13.2-inch screen on higher trims. Sync 4 was user-friendly, with easy navigation between applications. While the system was occasionally slow to respond, its layout and features were impressive. The larger screen significantly upgraded the cabin's look, and the static "Home" button facilitated navigation.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but its predecessor received high marks. It came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including multiple airbags, LATCH connectors, and advanced driver assistance systems like ProPilot Assist. Optional features included blind-spot intervention and lane-departure prevention.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, offering features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology.