2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from the Tacoma pickup, featuring a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia that gave it a rugged look. However, its side profile introduced a softer character line, reminiscent of the Toyota Supra and Sienna, which added unnecessary visual weight. The rear echoed the front's trapezoidal theme, but the overall design felt disjointed compared to more cohesive competitors like the Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid's asymmetrical dash was interrupted by a metallic styling element, creating a helpful storage tray. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned high for easy visibility, but the Bronze Edition's light grey fabric upholstery seemed impractical for families, attracting dirt and stains.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape embraced a more European design language, moving away from its blocky predecessors. The refreshed model featured a traditional front end with a stylish LED light bar and the Ford logo. The ST-Line Elite trim sported 19-inch wheels and body-color accents, giving it an upscale appearance akin to a Mazda CX-5. Inside, the Escape's diamond-stitched leather upholstery looked appealing but felt hard. Despite this, the seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat allowed for easy customization. The interior was dominated by plastic, some of which felt cost-cutting, but the overall design was practical and comfortable for long drives.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine producing 243 horsepower, paired with a CVT and standard FWD. AWD was available via an electric motor for the rear axle. It reached 60 mph in just over 8 seconds, slightly slower than gasoline-only SUVs. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick initial response, but the engine's hum became a drone under heavy acceleration. The ride was soft, with a suspension that smoothed out bumps, and the cabin remained quiet on highways.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options. The 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine delivered 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in FWD or AWD. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with AWD. Despite its power, the Escape wasn't a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and no paddle shifters. The brakes provided predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding twitchy inputs common in the segment.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustments, though the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. Storage was plentiful, with trays and large door pockets. The second-row seats were spacious, with sliding and reclining options, and a bench option increased capacity to eight. The third row was less accommodating, suitable for children or short trips. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with seats folded, and 84.3 cubic feet at maximum.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided comfortable seating with excellent ergonomics. The armrests were well-positioned, and the head-up display was adjustable for different drivers. Cargo space was 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with seats folded, smaller than some competitors but adequate for daily use. Rear-seat legroom was slightly less than rivals, but headroom was impressive, and the front-seat backs were designed to maximize space for taller passengers.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option for top trims. The system was responsive, with logical menus and physical shortcut buttons. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa were standard, with wireless charging on XLE trims and above. Navigation and a JBL audio system were available on higher trims.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 system. Lower trims had an 8-inch screen, while a 13.2-inch display was standard on higher trims. Sync 4 was well-organized, with easy navigation between features like Android Auto and native navigation. The system was slightly slow to respond, and the volume knob's placement was inconvenient, but overall, the tech features were attractive and intuitive.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick+ by IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and more. The systems generally worked well but needed some fine-tuning.

The 2023 Ford Escape also earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA but didn't receive a Top Safety Pick from IIHS due to a Marginal side-impact test score. Standard safety features included Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, with options for Co-Pilot360 2.0, adding adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology.