Which is the Most Tech-Savvy SUV: The 2024 Ford Escape or Kia Sportage?

In today’s tech-driven world, the ability to stay connected, safe, and entertained—even while on the road—is crucial. This is why the automotive industry focuses a lot of attention on ensuring their lineups offer the latest technological advancements. With that in mind, however, it can be challenging to differentiate between certain models to ensure you choose the vehicle that best meets your needs. For instance, when looking at the 2024 Ford Escape vs 2024 Kia Sportage, which one offers the tech options you need to enhance your drive mile after mile? We believe the Escape shines when it comes to must-have tech.

Our team at DePaula Ford is well-versed in the Ford lineup, as well as other SUVs in its class. This means we have the information you need to help you determine which might work best for you while also ensuring you understand each of the features offered. You’ll find that we take the time to answer any questions you have about our new and used inventory because we want you to feel confident in the vehicle you choose and trust that we will support you every step of the way. Continue reading to get a good idea of how the Escape and Sportage stack up against each other and why the Escape comes out on top, then stop by and talk with a member of our team to learn more.

Connectivity Options

While some may disagree with the automotive industry’s push to ensure connectivity during the drive, there are many positives to be found. For instance, being able to answer emails quickly while parked in the school parking lot waiting for the kids to get out rather than waiting to get home is a benefit for many parents—not to mention the kids. Additionally, the available connection to Amazon Alexa found on both makes your grocery list easily accessible, and the chance to add or delete items from it increases organization and ensures you get every last ingredient.

Both the 2024 Ford Escape and the 2024 Kia Sportage offer a lot of functionality when it comes to connectivity. For instance, both allow you to connect to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with a compatible phone; however, the Escape offers a significant advantage by offering standard wireless connectivity. Unfortunately, the Sportage offers no wireless options in its lineup, which is a huge oversight.

Both allow you to make hands-free calls with the push of a button as well as use voice commands to access other apps and information, all while keeping your eyes on the road. You can also enjoy in-vehicle Wi-Fi with a paid subscription; however, this also presents a difference between the Escape and Sportage. For the Escape, you can connect up to 10 devices from up to 50 ft outside the vehicle. At first glance, you might think you’ll never use all 10 spots, but when you start adding phones, tablets, and more, you’ll realize it’s easier than you might think. For the Sportage, the number of possible connected devices is cut in half, with only five spots available.

Another difference between the two SUVs can be seen when you compare the costs of FordPass and Kia Connect, the manufacturers’ two connectivity services. While both give you access to available features like remotely starting or stopping your vehicle when properly equipped, remotely unlocking and locking it, as well as viewing your vehicle’s location, FordPass is free to download and use for the life of your ownership. Kia Connect is only free for the first five years. After that, you’ll need to choose a subscription plan ranging from $59 to $199 annually, depending on what features the plan includes.

Which Offers You the Most Standard Safety Features?

When you think about technology, your mind likely goes to connectivity, but it might not consider how technology is used to make today’s cars safer. However, technology is at the forefront of vehicle safety and is a priority for automotive manufacturers. Both Ford and Kia have put a lot of effort into their driver assistance safety features. In fact, a closer look shows the two are quite comparable. While on the surface, these two safety and driver assistance suites seem comparable to each other; however, upon further inspection, getting the comprehensive features you’ll find standard on the Escape will cost you with the Sportage.

For example, the ever-important blind-spot detection feature comes standard on the Escape lineup, courtesy of the Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert. This feature is nowhere to be found on the Sportage’s base LX trim, making you opt for the EX or higher to take advantage of this feature. If your daily commutes involve long stretches of highway, you know how useful cruise control can be after a long day at work. Fortunately, the Escape’s Adaptive Cruise Control feature is standard. Want the Sportage’s Smart Cruise tool? Sorry, you have to jump up several trims before that feature makes its appearance. These are just a few examples that demonstrate that when it comes to the Escape, safety is always standard.

Touchscreens and Sound Systems

Keeping your passengers entertained during the drive gets harder as the miles pass by. The good news is that this is another area where automotive manufacturers have improved in the past few years. It’s also an area where the Ford Escape shines. When choosing trim levels, you’ll notice that the top two trims of the Escape have a 13.2-inch standard touchscreen display, while this same display is available for all the other trims as an option. This is significant because you don’t normally find that availability in lower trims. You also don’t find it available on the Sportage. In fact, the largest touchscreen the Sportage offers is almost an inch smaller than what the Escape offers, and it’s only available on certain trims, not across the lineup.

Another infotainment feature that the Ford Escape offers as an option on almost every trim is the B&O Sound System. Not only does the system provide you with incredible, balanced sound regardless of where you’re sitting in the SUV, but it also has ten speakers, including a subwoofer, so you aren’t just listening to the music; you’re fully immersed in it. For the Sportage, you can also upgrade your sound system, but the Harman Kardon system only offers eight speakers and is only available on four of the seven trims.

Finally, you’ll find that the Escape has Ford’s exclusive SYNC 4 system. This system has a variety of benefits, including over-the-air (OTA) updates, allowing the system to receive the latest features and improvements without needing to visit your dealer. This keeps the system current with new technologies and features. While the Sportage also has OTA, you’ll need Kia Connect activated. As mentioned, this system is free initially, but after a few years, it requires a subscription, which means you’ll have to pay for the updates when choosing the Sportage.

Check Out the 2024 Ford Escape Today

While the 2024 Ford Escape and 2024 Kia Sportage have many similarities when it comes to technology, the larger touchscreen and free access to FordPass Connect might push the Escape to the top. Plus, if towing is in your future, it’s best to have the largest capability available. Still, if you’re unsure, we invite you to DePaula Ford, where you can test drive the latest Escape and see all its features up close. While you’re here, we can also explore the Escape’s comfort, convenience, performance, and capacity features, all of which make getting to your destination easier than ever before. Stop by today and ask our team about the 2024 Ford Escape: you’ll be glad you did.