2024 Lexus TX vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape showcased a departure from its earlier rugged, boxy design, embracing a more European aesthetic. The refresh introduced a traditional front end with a Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar. The ST-Line Elite trim, which was tested, featured 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps, giving it an upscale appearance akin to a Mazda CX-5. Inside, the Escape 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 excellent long-distance driving comfort. However, the interior was dominated by plastic, which felt cost-cutting in some areas.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus TX, based on the Toyota Grand Highlander, offered a luxury SUV experience with a more conservative design. The Luxury trim featured 22-inch wheels, enhancing its upscale look. The TX’s interior, particularly in the Luxury model, was adorned with premium semi-aniline leather and artificial suede, though the dark Peppercorn color made the cabin feel a bit too dark. Despite lacking a massage function, the front seats were comfortable, and the third-row seating was notably more accommodating than previous Lexus models. The TX provided ample cargo space, with 97 cubic feet available when the second and third rows were folded.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, available with FWD or AWD. The ST-Line Elite trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with AWD. While the Escape’s suspension was soft and compliant, making it comfortable on rough roads, it lacked performance tuning. The brakes were predictable, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in about eight seconds, with a combined fuel economy rating of 23 mpg for the FWD model. The AWD option offered slightly quicker acceleration and better traction. The TX’s suspension provided a balance of firmness and comfort, with commendable body motion control and accurate steering. The interior remained quiet on highways, though the brake pedal felt soft but was easy to modulate.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided comfortable seating with excellent ergonomics. However, it fell short in cargo space, offering 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with it folded. Passenger space was adequate, with good headroom but slightly less rear-seat legroom compared to competitors.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus’s three-row SUVs. It offered a comfortable interior with heated and ventilated seats, though the second-row legroom was limited. The third-row seating was adult-friendly, and the TX provided 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 97 cubic feet with seats folded. The cabin featured numerous storage options, though some lacked lining, potentially causing noise.

The 2023 Ford Escape featured the Sync 4 infotainment system, with an optional 13.2-inch touchscreen that enhanced the cabin’s look. The system was intuitive, with easy navigation between applications, though it was occasionally slow to respond. The volume knob’s placement was inconvenient, but overall, the tech features were impressive.

The 2024 Lexus TX came with an optional Technology Package, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen. The Lexus Interface system offered a cloud-based navigation system and a digital assistant with natural voice recognition. However, the unmarked steering wheel controls were frustrating, especially with polarized sunglasses. The TX also provided wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system.

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

The 2024 Lexus TX was equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and more. Proactive Drive Assist was included, though it was not entirely transparent in operation. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring and traffic jam assist, providing hands-free driving at low speeds.