Ford Escape vs Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee carried forward the brand's design traditions, presenting a familiar yet refreshed look. It was essentially a two-row version of the previous year's Grand Cherokee L, offering a range of trims from the basic Laredo to the luxurious Summit Reserve. The Grand Cherokee's design paid homage to the classic 1963 Wagoneer, featuring a forward-leaning grille, lowered beltline, and tapered rear roof pillars. Inside, the Grand Cherokee mirrored the Grand Cherokee L, with the base Laredo providing good quality and the Summit Reserve offering premium features like quilted leather and a McIntosh audio system.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape adopted a more European design language, moving away from the rugged, boxy aesthetic of its predecessors. The 2023 refresh introduced a more traditional front end with a stylish LED light bar and the Ford blue oval logo. The Escape's top-trim ST-Line Elite featured 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps, giving it an upscale appearance. Inside, the ST-Line Elite boasted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power adjustable driver's seat made long drives pleasant.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a 5.7-liter V8 engine delivering 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The V6 had a tow rating of 6,200 pounds, while the V8 increased it to 7,200 pounds. Three 4WD systems were available: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, each offering varying levels of off-road capability. The Trailhawk trim, in particular, excelled in off-roading with features like an electronic locking rear differential, Quadra-Lift air suspension, and Selec-Speed off-road cruise control. Fuel economy ranged from 17 to 21 mpg, depending on the engine and drivetrain.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered two engine options: a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The three-cylinder engine could be paired with FWD or AWD, while the four-cylinder was exclusively AWD. The Escape's suspension was soft and compliant, making it comfortable on rough roads, but it lacked the performance tuning of a genuine performance crossover. The brakes were predictable and linear, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness common in some competitors.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided a comfortable experience for both driver and front passenger, with higher trims offering heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and front seat massagers. Visibility was improved, especially for off-roading, and the available panoramic sunroof added an airy feel to the cabin. Rear-seat legroom was tight, and the plastic front seatback trim could be uncomfortable for taller passengers. Cargo space was 37.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 70.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded.

The 2023 Ford Escape featured soft and supportive seats with excellent ergonomics. The steering wheel felt great to hold, and the armrests were well-positioned. The head-up display was easy to adjust for different drivers. Cargo space was 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the second row folded, falling short of segment leaders like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Rear-seat legroom was slightly less than some competitors, but headroom was impressive, and the front-seat backs were softly padded to maximize space for tall passengers.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse, featuring a head-up display, Night Vision system, camera-based rearview mirror, and up to five interior touchscreens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, available with an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen, offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The optional 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger added a unique entertainment option.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 infotainment system, available with an 8-inch or 13.2-inch touchscreen. The larger screen, standard on higher trims, enhanced the cabin's look and offered easy navigation between applications. Sync 4 included features like navigation, music, and Bluetooth pairing, with a static "Home" button for easy access. However, the system was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob's placement was inconvenient.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured an extensive collection of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and a safety cage composed of high-strength steel and aluminum. New for 2022, Active Driving Assist provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance, with a hands-free version expected later in the year. Intersection Collision Assist and other ADAS features aimed to enhance safety, though crash-test results were pending.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but did not earn a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) due to a Marginal score in the updated side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of ADAS, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, and lane-centering technology for a semi-autonomous driving experience.