2024 Toyota Sequoia 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 centered Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar, replacing the previous grille. The ST-Line Elite trim, which we 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, which, while visually appealing, felt hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable and well-padded, making long drives pleasant. However, the interior was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt scratchy and poorly reinforced.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared design cues with the Tundra pickup, including hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The Capstone model we tested, in Celestial Silver, appeared somewhat dated, but a change in color could dramatically alter its look. Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric dash design, with physical dials and buttons for climate control. The Capstone trim featured semi-aniline leather upholstery, and the seating was power-adjustable across the lineup. The Sequoia offered a power-tilt and -slide moonroof, with a panoramic version available on higher trims.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. This engine could be paired with either FWD or AWD. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with AWD. Despite its impressive output, the Escape was not a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and no paddle shifters. The brakes provided predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was exclusively offered in a hybrid format, using the iForce MAX hybrid powertrain. This combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved to 20 mpg combined with 4WD. The TRD Pro trim was available only with 4WD, while other trims offered a choice between RWD and 4WD. The 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the TRD Off-Road package added adventure-ready features. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, with several towing-related upgrades available.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided comfortable seating with excellent ergonomics. The front-door armrests were well-positioned, and the head-up display was easy to adjust. However, the Escape fell short in cargo space, offering up to 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Passenger space was also limited, with less rear-seat legroom than competitors, though headroom was impressive.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia featured automatic power-deploying running boards, making entry easier. It offered a maximum of 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space with both second- and third-row seats folded. The third-row seats did not create a flat load floor due to the hybrid powertrain's battery pack. Headroom was reduced, and legroom was limited in the third row. Second-row captain’s chairs were available on higher trims, but they lacked bolstering.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 technology, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 13.2-inch screen on higher trims. The system was well-organized, with easy navigation between applications. However, it was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob's placement was inconvenient.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia's Capstone trim was equipped with a 14-inch center touchscreen, standard on all but the SR5 trim. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system was functional, and the driver-information display was a full-color 12.3-inch screen. The Panoramic View monitor was standard, and a 10-inch color head-up display was available on higher trims. The JBL Premium Audio system was standard on higher trims.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in most tests. It came with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia featured the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite, with a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring included Trailer Merge Warning. The Tow Technology Package added a digital rearview mirror and trailer backup guide. The Sequoia had not been rated by safety organizations, but the similar Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.