Compare Ford Escape vs Chevy Equinox – As the compact SUV segment continues to grow in popularity, the 2023 Ford Escape and Chevy Equinox are two of the most popular models on the market.
Both offer a balance of space, comfort, and features at an affordable price point. However, with several differences in pricing, performance, and safety features, it can be tough to decide which one is the right fit for you.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the 2023 Ford Escape vs Chevy Equinox and compare them on key features and specifications.
What is The Main Difference Between Ford Escape and Chevy Equinox?
The Ford Escape and Chevy Equinox are two very different SUVs with unique selling points that may appeal to different buyers.
So, how does the Chevy Equinox compare to the Ford Escape? The main differences between the two include pricing, engine options, and safety features.
The Ford Escape is priced lower than the Chevy Equinox, making it a more affordable option for budget-conscious buyers.
Additionally, the Escape offers more engine options, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, whereas the Equinox only comes with a traditional gasoline engine.
Finally, the Escape offers more advanced safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning, which come standard on higher trim levels.
The 2023 Chevy Equinox offers similar features but requires buyers to upgrade to higher trims to access them.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The pricing for the 2023 Ford Escape and Chevy Equinox varies depending on the trim level and features chosen.
The Ford Escape starts at $28,000 for the base S trim and goes up to $36,990 for the Titanium trim. On the other hand, the Chevy Equinox starts at $26,600 for the base L trim and goes up to $36,300 for the Premier trim.
Overall, the Ford Escape is a slightly more affordable option than the Chevy Equinox, but the difference is negligible.
When it comes to which one to buy, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and needs. If you are looking for a more affordable SUV with more advanced safety features, the Ford Escape is the better choice.
However, if you prefer a traditional gasoline engine and a more premium interior, the Chevy Equinox might be the better option.
Read also: Ford Edge vs Escape
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The 2023 Ford Escape offers three different engine options: a 1.5-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder engine, a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, and a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder hybrid engine.
The first two engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrid engine is paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
The Escape’s base engine produces 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque, while the more powerful 2.0-liter engine produces 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.
The hybrid engine produces a combined 221 horsepower and can drive up to 37 miles on electric power alone.
The 2023 Chevy Equinox comes standard with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque.
A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque is available as an upgrade.
Both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Equinox doesn’t offer a hybrid option, which is a disadvantage for buyers looking for a more eco-friendly SUV.
Overall, the Ford Escape offers more engine options and a hybrid option, making it a better choice for buyers looking for a more fuel-efficient SUV.
However, the Chevy Equinox offers more power with its 2.0-liter engine, making it a better option for those who prioritize performance over fuel efficiency.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Fuel economy is an important consideration for buyers in the compact SUV segment, as these vehicles are often used for daily commuting and errands. The 2023 Ford Escape offers excellent fuel economy across all three engine options.
The base 1.5-liter engine achieves an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, while the 2.0-liter engine achieves 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. The hybrid option achieves an EPA-estimated 41 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.
The 2023 Chevy Equinox, on the other hand, doesn’t offer as strong fuel economy as the Escape. The base 1.5-liter engine achieves an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, while the 2.0-liter engine achieves 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.
While the Equinox doesn’t offer a hybrid option, it does offer a diesel engine option, which achieves an impressive EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway.
In terms of real-world fuel economy, the Ford Escape’s hybrid engine achieves excellent gas mileage in daily driving, with many reviewers reporting averages of over 40 mpg.
The Equinox’s diesel engine also performs well in real-world driving conditions, achieving up to 35 mpg on the highway. However, Equinox’s gas engines struggle to match their EPA-estimated ratings in real-world driving.
Exterior Dimensions
Is a Chevy Equinox bigger than a Ford Escape? When it comes to exterior dimensions, the Ford Escape and Chevy Equinox are similar in size, with the Escape being slightly shorter and narrower than the Equinox.
The 2023 Ford Escape has a length of 180.5 inches, a width of 74.1 inches, and a height of 66.1 inches. The Equinox has a length of 183.1 inches, a width of 72.6 inches, and a height of 65.4 inches.
Both SUVs offer similar ground clearance, with the Escape offering 7.9 inches and the Equinox offering 7.5 inches.
While both SUVs offer similar exterior dimensions, the Ford Escape’s shorter length and narrower width make it a more maneuverable vehicle, making it easier to park and navigate through tight spaces.
Interior, and Comfort
The 2023 Ford Escape and Chevy Equinox both offer spacious interiors with comfortable seats and plenty of headroom and legroom.
However, the Ford Escape offers more cargo space than the Chevy Equinox, with 37.5 cubic feet of space behind the second row and up to 65.4 cubic feet with the second row folded down.
The Equinox offers 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and up to 63.9 cubic feet with the second row folded down.
In terms of interior materials and design, both SUVs offer a high-quality feel with soft-touch materials and modern features such as touchscreen infotainment systems and digital instrument clusters.
However, the Ford Escape’s interior design is more modern and stylish, with a sleek dashboard and contemporary styling elements.
Read also: 2023 Ford Escape vs Toyota RAV4
Infotainment
Both the 2023 Ford Escape and Chevy Equinox offer modern infotainment systems with touchscreen displays, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth connectivity.
The Escape’s infotainment system is more user-friendly and intuitive, with a larger 8-inch touchscreen display and physical knobs and buttons for volume and tuning.
The Equinox’s infotainment system is slightly smaller, with a 7-inch touchscreen display and a less intuitive menu system.
One standout feature of the Ford Escape’s infotainment system is the available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which replaces traditional analog gauges with a customizable digital display. This feature is not available on the Chevy Equinox.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Both the 2023 Ford Escape and Chevy Equinox offer a wide range of advanced safety and driver-assistance features.
Standard safety features on both vehicles include a rearview camera, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights.
The Ford Escape also offers standard blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while the Equinox offers standard teen driver technology, which allows parents to set speed and audio volume limits for their teenage drivers.
Optional safety features on both vehicles include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera system.
The Ford Escape offers a few additional safety features not available on the Equinox, such as evasive steering assist and adaptive headlights. One area where the Ford Escape stands out in terms of safety is its crash-test ratings.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2023 Ford Escape a five-star overall safety rating, while the 2023 Chevy Equinox only received a four-star overall safety rating.
Which is Better Ford or Chevy SUV?
Ultimately, the choice between the 2023 Chevy Equinox vs Ford Escape will depend on your priorities as a buyer.
Both vehicles offer similar performance, fuel economy, and safety features, but the Ford Escape stands out in terms of interior space, infotainment, and crash-test ratings.
If you prioritize interior space and cargo capacity, the Ford Escape is the better option, with more room for both passengers and cargo.
If you prioritize advanced safety features and crash-test ratings, the Ford Escape is also the better option, with a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.
However, if you prioritize fuel economy and real-world gas mileage, the Chevy Equinox offers a diesel engine option that achieves impressive fuel efficiency on the highway.
The Equinox is also a good choice if you prefer a more traditional infotainment system with physical buttons and knobs.
Read also: Ford Escape vs Honda CRV
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 2023 Ford Escape vs Chevy Equinox is a solid choice in the compact SUV segment, offering similar performance, fuel economy, and safety features.
However, the Ford Escape stands out in terms of interior space, infotainment, and crash-test ratings, making it the better choice for buyers who prioritize these factors.
The Equinox, on the other hand, is a good choice for buyers who prioritize fuel efficiency and a traditional infotainment system with physical buttons and knobs.
Ultimately, the choice between these two SUVs will depend on your individual needs and preferences as a buyer.