Yes it is only 1.5” shorter.....I was personally hoping for something a little larger even though it’s 2” larger than my older ford escape...the kids are older now and will force me into the “big” bronco...lol.
I think the question is if the interior space will be the same, more or less.
I liked the “yard stick“ gear shift on the steering column too....lol but I bet that has gone away.
I worry a bit about the room behind the seats, with the shorter overhang in back.
I also would have liked a front...
They are remarkably close, but since the picture is at an angle it makes it difficult to find an old escape picture angled in the same manner.
I might try to use the orange one in the header since it is a straight on side shot and seems to be basically what Ford ended up with.