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2025 Buick Enclave vs Honda PilotHead-to Head: 2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs Ford Escape
This Detroit matchup pits the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox against the 2023 Ford Escape to determine which SUV offers a better value.
Introduction
It’s a tale of two cute-compact SUVs in this 2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs. Ford Escape matchup. Measuring within three inches and tipping the scales within six pounds of each other, these Detroit rivals are remarkably similar on paper. Even overall passenger volume is within half a cubic foot between the two. Which makes sense as both the Equinox and Escape compete in the same crowded field of smallish SUVs with room for five.
But that’s where the similarities end. The third-generation Equinox arrived in 2018 and was refreshed last year with a new front-end and sporty RS model addition. You can read up on how this updated model compares to the pre-facelift Equinox here.
Ford’s Escape arrived in fourth-gen form as a 2020 model and offers its own overhaul this model year. It too adds sport flair with ST-Line models but unlike Chevy which has pared back the Equinox powertrain options, Ford has a relative bonanza of motors to choose from. That theme continues on the technology front as we’ll dive into below.
Specs
Every 2023 Chevrolet Equinox is powered by a 1.5L turbocharged inline-4 making 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. It pairs with a 6-speed automatic that routes power to the front wheels with AWD a $3,000 option on all four trim lines. In base form, fuel efficiency comes in at 26 mpg around town and 31 on the highway. Adding AWD drops those figures to 24 and 30 mpg, respectively.
Comparing base engines, the 2023 Ford Escape is also powered by a turbocharged 1.5L mill. It only has three cylinders, but more or less matches the Equinox with 180 hp and 199 torques. It is rated for 27/34 mpg in city/highway driving. ST-Line Select and Platinum Escapes come with a 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 rated for 250 horses and 280 lb-ft of twist.
Interestingly, that jump in power doesn’t bring down fuel efficiency much with figures of 26/32 mpg in city/highway driving, though adding AWD drops the city figure by three mpg and the highway figure by one. Both of these EcoBoost motors pair with an 8-speed automatic to spin the front wheels with AWD adding $2,200, except for the ST-Line Select and Elite models on which it is standard.
Ford also offers a hybrid powertrain that blends a small electric motor with a naturally aspirated 2.5L four-pot to make 192 horses and 155 lb-ft of torque. This setup offers 42 mpg in city driving and 36 on the highway in FWD and AWD form. The pricing for this setup is all over the place. It costs $3,000 when added to the ST-Line but subtracts $500 on the Platinum trim so shop carefully.
A plug-in hybrid is the fourth and final Escape powertrain that adds an 11.2 kWh battery pack to the mix for 210 hp. Both hybrid configurations work with a continuously variable transmission. Though 2023 figures have not yet been released, the EPA pegged a 2022 Escape plugin hybrid– which we review here – at 40 mpg combined or 105 MPGe. These models are also estimated to allow 37 miles of all-electric driving range.
Driving and Performance
Both the 2023 Chevy Equinox and Ford Escape ride on a fully independent suspension consisting of MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear. Additionally, both are front-wheel drive with the option for AWD that is intended for slippery conditions as neither model even pretends to deliver off-road abilities. Targeting daily commutes and family hauling, these two crossovers deliver a comfortable and planted ride. However, watch for impact harshness on the Equinox RS and Escape Platinum as both sit on lower profile 19-inch rubber.
Though they have a lot in common here, only the Ford comes standard with torque vectoring control, something that goes back to the last generation. This system can apply braking to one wheel and torque to another to increase traction if needed. In concert with the optional AWD running gear, this makes for excellent traction in sloppy conditions.
The other differentiator between the Equinox and Escape is speed. Though neither is likely being shopped for their performance possibilities, the Escape’s available 2.0L motor is quick, hitting 60 mph from a standstill in 5.7 seconds. The best the Equinox can manage, with its single powertrain, is a wheezy 8.9-second run.
Comfort and Interior
However, the Escape’s rear bench can slide up to six inches. This translates to a maximum of 37 cubic feet of volume behind that seat to the 30 found in the Equinox. When folded down, overall cargo space in the Ford is only larger by a single cube – 65 to the Chevy’s 64.
Size-wise, the cabin of a 2023 Equinox and Escape measure up like twins. Both seat five, both have a rear bench that split-folds flat in a 60-40 configuration, and they are within an inch of each other on the rear legroom metric – 40 for the Chevy, 41 for the Ford.
From a design and material quality perspective, things are equally similar. Cloth upholstery is the main seat covering with leatherette available mid-pack on both models and genuine animal hides offered on the respective top-spec trims. Chevy’s RS model and Ford’s ST-Line series add sporty red stitching and even a flat-bottom steering wheel in the case of the Escape. Both offer heated front and rear outboard seating but only the Equinox can be had with front seat ventilation and active noise cancellation.
Infotainment and cabin technology are where the 2023 Escape pulls ahead of its Chevy competition. Base Escapes come with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and 8-inch gauge cluster screen. Platinum models and above boast a 13-inch central screen and fully digital 12-inch instrument panel. Like Ford, Chevy fits the 2023 Equinox with a standard Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
However, the largest available Equinox screen measures 8 inches with base models coming in at just seven. Chevy matches the Escape by offering a wireless charging pad and surround-view monitor. But the Ford can be fitted with a head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and built-in navigation – none of which are available on the Equinox.
Trims and Features
A base 2023 Equinox LS trim starts at $29,390 and comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, and cloth seats. Like the rest of the Equinox lineup, standard safety equipment includes forward collision mitigation, a lane-keeping system, and automatic high beams. For an extra $1,000, the LT model basically adds a power-adjustable driver seat.
However, the $33,490 Equinox RS steps up with black 19-inch rims, a power-operated liftgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, and the option for a $1,495 panoramic roof. At $34,590, top-spec Premier models sport a hands-free tailgate – one of favorite car features – leather upholstery, blind-spot monitoring (BSM) with rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA), and Chevy’s slick Safety Alert Seat. For a deeper dive on the new Equinox, check out this review.
Pricing for the 2023 Escape starts at $30,140 for the unnamed base model. It matches Chevy’s roster of driver aids while adding BSM and RCTA. The $31,485 Active model adds alloy wheels – base models ride on steelies – and the $32,480 ST-Line looks sporty with a larger rear spoiler. ST-Line Select jumps past the most expensive Equinox with a $36,180 price tag that brings the 2.0L motor.
For just under $40,000, Platinum Escapes are loaded with 19-inch wheels, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist. ST-Line Elite models come with standard AWD and a $40,600 starting price. And the unoriginally named Plug-In Hybrid Escape, which is the only PHEV model, runs $42,640.
The Verdict
As with so many comparisons, this 2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs Ford Escape matchup comes down to money. The Equinox offers two models at or below about $30,000 whereas the Escape starts here. That being said, even the entry-level Ford offers more driver-aids and better technology than the base Equinox.
Overall, the Escape is a better value. A top-spec Equinox at about $35,000 is nicely loaded but the $36,000 Ford Escape ST-Line Select comes with a far more powerful engine.
Since the Equinox stops here on the price conversation, ponying up thousands of extra dollars for an Escape in HEV or PHEV configuration depends on your budget. Considering the significant improvement in fuel economy of both hybrids and longer list of available amenities, the 2023 Ford Escape easily wins this comparison.
