2023 Kia Sportage vs. 2023 Ford Escape

If you're in the market for a new vehicle, you're probably going to consider buying a Kia Sportage or a Ford Escape. Both are affordable crossover SUVs that offer plenty of space and function, making them good choices for families and young professionals. But which is the better choice? Let's look at what each model has to offer in terms of performance and features.

Design & Style

• Exterior Design

The Kia Sportage has a steeply-raked windshield, a long hood, and a sloping roofline. The large front grille is flanked by trapezoidal-shaped headlamps that wrap around the corners of the vehicle's face. The Sportage also has several body cladding and wheel options (depending on where you live).

The Ford Escape has a much more traditional SUV styling than its competitors. It also has many body cladding options and wheel styles (again, depending on where you live).

• Interior Design

If you love the idea of a sporty SUV but don't want anything too flashy or showy, the 2023 Kia Sportage might be your car. Its interior design is simple and understated—a major contrast from the flashy exterior styling. The dashboard is made of high-quality materials that feel soft to the touch. There's also a large touchscreen display for controlling all of your gadgets, along with a smaller touchscreen for climate control and audio functions.

The Ford Escape is more about giving buyers what they want—and that means an interior that looks like it was designed by a team of experts who know exactly what will sell in today's market! While some may find this style over-the-top (it could even be considered gaudy), it's hard not to appreciate how well everything works together here: from the leather seats to those fancy wood accents on top of each console cup holder – every single detail was thought out carefully before being included in this luxury SUV design!

Technology & Safety

The Kia Sportage offers an available 3D navigation system and an 8-inch touchscreen display, while the Ford Escape comes with a standard 4.2-inch LCD display. The Kia Sportage's navigation system is controlled by voice command, while you'll need to use buttons on the steering wheel of your Ford Escape to make changes.

Both vehicles come with standard rearview cameras and parking sensors. Still, only the Kia Sportage includes forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking as part of its safety equipment package.

Performance

Just like the Kia Sportage, the 2023 Ford Escape will be available in two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 2.7-liter V6. The base engine is mated to either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission, while the V6 is only paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder gets up to 31 mpg in the city and 28 on highways; the six speeds from 22/28 mpg city/highway for all-wheel drive models and 23/27 for front-wheel drive vehicles.

The Bottom Line

Overall, the Kia Sportage is more attractive than the Ford Escape. It's also more comfortable and better equipped. It may not be as spacious as we'd like in the back, but it's easy to get comfortable in front, and that's where you spend most of your time driving anyway.

While it does come with some missing features and could use some more power under the hood, it makes up for these shortcomings with its engaging handling and good fuel economy, which makes up for its higher cost over the Escape.

Ready to Schedule Your 2023 Kia Sportage Test Drive Today?

Are you in the market for a new 2023 Kia Sportage? If so, we welcome you to South Shore Kia! We have an incredible selection of new 2023 Kia models for you to choose from. Schedule your appointment today and come see us at South Shore Kia! We can't wait to help you get behind the wheel!