2024 Ford Escape vs 2024 Lexus TX

The 2024 Lexus TX was based on the Toyota Grand Highlander, yet it distinguished itself as a luxury SUV. It presented an upscale appearance, contrasting with the Grand Highlander's resemblance to a larger RAV4. The test model, featuring Luxury trim, showcased impressive 22-inch silver-finished wheels, enhancing its visual appeal. The TX's styling was more subdued compared to other Lexus models, offering a conservative look that might appeal to those previously put off by the brand's design. The TX lineup included the TX 350, TX 500h F Sport Performance, and TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid, with prices ranging from $55,050 to $69,350, excluding the TX 550h+, which was expected to start over $75,000. The test vehicle was a TX 350 with FWD and Luxury trim, priced at $60,950, including destination charges, and featured several packages and upgrades, bringing the total to $67,869. The interior, though dark, was luxurious enough to bear the Lexus badge.

In contrast, the 2024 Ford Escape received a facelift in 2023, which carried over into 2024, making it more appealing. The front end was restyled for a more aggressive look, while the rest of the SUV retained a soft, generic appearance. The Escape was available in various trims, including Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, Platinum, and Plug-in Hybrid, with prices ranging from $29,345 to $40,500, excluding the $1,495 destination charge. The test vehicle was an ST-Line Elite with Rapid Red paint, black 19-inch wheels, and additional packages, totaling $43,650. The interior featured diamond-stitched, perforated leather and tech upgrades, initially appearing upscale but ultimately lacking in material quality. The Escape's interior needed more attention to detail, especially considering its price point.

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. Despite initial skepticism about this engine choice for a midsize, three-row luxury SUV, it performed adequately in typical driving situations with up to four passengers. The engine's note was somewhat grating, and the FWD model exhibited hints of torque steer. Lexus claimed the TX 350 could accelerate to 60 mph in eight seconds (7.8 seconds with AWD), though it felt quicker due to its torque delivery. The EPA rated the TX 350 FWD at 23 mpg in combined driving, but during testing, it averaged 20.4 mpg. The AWD option, costing $1,600, offered slightly quicker acceleration and improved traction in adverse conditions. The TX 350's suspension provided a balanced ride, with commendable body motion control and accurate steering. The interior remained quiet on the highway, though the brake pedal felt too soft in the test car.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite offered a choice between a 192-horsepower hybrid powertrain and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The test vehicle featured the turbo engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The AWD system included a driveline disconnect feature for improved fuel economy, and drivers could select from Eco, Normal, Sport, and Slippery driving modes. The Escape could tow up to 3,500 pounds with the turbo engine. While the ST-Line Elite was marketed as sporty, its driving dynamics didn't fully match the promise of the ST badge. The ride was soft and compliant, with nimble handling in typical situations but excessive body motion otherwise. The brake pedal was responsive, but the steering felt sluggish. The turbo engine's potential was underutilized, and the test vehicle averaged 24.1 mpg, falling short of the EPA's 26 mpg rating.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs. The TX 350 Luxury model featured premium semi-aniline leather and artificial suede upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. The standard second-row bench seat could be replaced with heated and ventilated captain's chairs. While the front seats lacked a massage function, they provided good support and comfort. The second-row seat, though not as welcoming, offered triple-zone climate control, USB charging ports, and manual side window shades. The third-row seat was habitable for adults, with sufficient leg support and large windows. However, sliding the second-row seat forward to accommodate third-row passengers compromised second-row comfort. The TX offered ample storage options, though some lacked lining, potentially causing noise. Cargo space measured 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.4 cubic feet with the third row folded and 97 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line featured a black interior with cloth inserts and artificial leather bolsters, accented by red stitching. Leather seats were optional with the ST-Line Elite trim, but their quality was lacking. The test model included ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Ventilated front seats were absent, which would have been beneficial during the Southern California heatwave. The Escape's front seats were large and supportive, with a height-adjustable front passenger seat. The rear seat was comfortable when slid to its rearmost position, and access to all doors was easy. Interior storage was generous in the front but limited for rear passengers. Cargo volume measured 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat (34.4 cubic feet for the hybrid) and expanded to 65.4 cubic feet (60.8 cubic feet for the hybrid) with the rear seat folded. The test vehicle had deep storage areas and a grocery bag hook in the cargo area.

The 2024 Lexus TX featured an optional Technology Package, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, a surround-view camera, and semi-autonomous parking assist. However, the package replaced well-marked steering wheel controls with unmarked dual-purpose ones, requiring drivers to reference the head-up display, which was often invisible with polarized sunglasses. The Lexus Interface infotainment system, with its 14-inch touchscreen, was user-friendly, especially with the complimentary three-year Drive Connect subscription, offering cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant with natural voice recognition. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the TX included free 10-year subscriptions to Service Connect and Safety Connect. Wi-Fi Connect provided a hotspot, and Remote Connect allowed app-based remote engine starting and digital key access. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson PurePlay surround-sound system delivered impressive audio quality.

The 2024 Ford Escape came with standard digital instrumentation, with lower trims featuring an 8-inch display and upper trims, like the ST-Line Elite, boasting a 12.3-inch display. The test vehicle's 13.2-inch Sync 4 infotainment system was presented in a landscape format, offering an intuitive layout. However, the color theme made the display appear washed out, and the thin fonts were hard to read at a glance. The dual-zone climate controls were integrated into the screen, which was not ideal. Lower trims had an 8-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and FordPass Connect services. The larger screen added Amazon Alexa and a three-year connected navigation subscription. The test vehicle had a Bang & Olufsen sound system, but damaged speakers prevented sound quality assessment. Sync 4 exhibited lag between inputs and responses, and the wireless charger overheated an iPhone. The voice recognition system was excellent, and switching between Apple CarPlay and the native environment was easy. The test vehicle also had an optional head-up display, part of the Premium Technology Package, which included leather, the sound system, and Active Park Assist 2.0.

The 2024 Lexus TX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0), which included adaptive cruise control with curve speed adjustment, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, intersection assist, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, road sign assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Proactive Drive Assist, part of LSS+ 3.0, offered braking and steering assistance but was not transparent in operation, leading to its deactivation during testing. The TX also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe exit assist system. Optional features included front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist. The traffic jam assist system provided hands-free driving at low speeds on approved highways. LSS+ 3.0 generally performed smoothly and accurately, though it slowed too dramatically when other vehicles cut in, causing frustration for following drivers.

The 2024 Ford Escape came with a standard post-collision automatic braking system and the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of driving assistance systems. This included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. The ST-Line Elite also featured adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, predictive speed assist, evasive steering assist, lane-centering assist, and a 360-degree surround-view camera system. While driving on Pacific Coast Highway, the lane-keeping systems were inconsistent, and predictive speed assist slowed the SUV excessively for curves, leading to its deactivation. On freeways, Co-Pilot360 performed better, with effective lane-keeping and smooth adaptive cruise control. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2024 Escape five-star ratings across the board, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not rated the 2024 Escape at the time of writing, but the 2023 model received Good ratings, except for a Marginal score in a new side-impact test.