2019 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2020 Ford Escape

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox received a thorough interior redesign that aimed to tighten things up, yet it ultimately resulted in a cramped interior space. The cargo capacity was notably low, rated at 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat, making it less competitive in the crowded compact SUV market. Chevrolet attempted to mitigate these issues by emphasizing the Equinox's low starting price of $23,800. However, the base L trim at this price point was found to be special order only and came stripped of many desirable features, such as a spare tire, compass, and paint options beyond white or silver. For practical purposes, the LS trim priced at $25,900 was the actual starting point for most consumers, offering only minor upgrades like a spare tire, compass, additional paint options, and some cosmetic enhancements. Advanced safety features such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning systems, and HD surround-view cameras weren’t available until the top-tier Premier trim, which could push the price up to approximately $33,000, depending on the chosen options. However, the Equinox did offer both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options, and three engines, including a diesel. For the test week, the LT trim with AWD and the more potent 2.0-liter turbocharged gas engine was provided. Starting at $31,400, the price ramped up with added packages like the $2,240 Sun and Navigation package featuring a power sunroof, 120-volt outlet, HD rear-view camera, two extra USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen with the new infotainment system and navigation. Additionally, the $1,945 Confidence and Convenience package brought in features like a leather-wrapped shift lever and steering wheel, power rear liftgate, remote vehicle start, heated front seats, dual-zone auto climate control, lane-change assist with blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, and heated power mirrors. Including a $995 destination charge, the total cost reached $36,580. The 2020 Ford Escape, meanwhile, stood out with a very attractive and modern design. Its grille drew inspiration from the outgoing Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks, while the headlights mirrored those of the Ford GT supercar. The design shift towards a more curvaceous rear end came at the cost of some cargo space, yet it remained one of the best-looking compact SUVs, behind the Mazda CX-5 and Jeep Cherokee. Inside, the Escape offered an impressive cabin that was modern yet functional. The test model came with a fully digital instrument panel, a floating infotainment screen, and a smooth, modern aesthetic. The Escape was available in several trims: S, SE, SE Sport, SEL, and the top-tier Titanium. Starting with the base S trim, buyers received 17-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, a 4.2-inch screen on the instrument panel, three 12-volt power outlets, manually adjustable front seats, and the Sync infotainment system with a 4.2-inch screen on the center console. It also came with FordPass Connect, providing WiFi for up to ten devices and remote vehicle control via mobile devices, along with a full suite of driver-assistance features. The SE trim added essentials like 17-inch painted aluminum wheels, tinted side- and rear windows, a chrome grille surround, and body-color door handles. Inside, it offered automatic climate control, heated front seats, a 10-way power driver's seat, satellite radio, and a fold-down center armrest for the backseat. The SE also upgraded the infotainment system to an 8-inch Sync 3 screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SE Sport trim introduced sporty touches like black-painted wheels and blackout details, plus a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. It also featured a hybrid powertrain. The SEL trim enhanced the offering with fog lamps, black roof racks, 18-inch machined aluminum wheels, and a hands-free, foot-activated power liftgate. The cabin saw additional features like a memory function for the power driver’s seat, synthetic upholstery, sport bucket front seats, a heated steering wheel, and one-touch up/down windows all around. The top-of-the-line Titanium model offered exclusive 19-inch wheels, LED fog lamps, acoustic-laminated glass for a quieter ride, a dual-panel moonroof, wood paneling, and a premium two-tone leather interior featuring a B&O audio system and a 6-way power front passenger seat. CarGurus recommended the SE trim for the best value, given its balance of features and cost.

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox provided three engine choices. The base engine, a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, gave 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It was rated at 26 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway with FWD, resulting in respectable fuel efficiency. However, the 1.5-liter engine was often criticized for being underpowered, particularly when the car was loaded with passengers or cargo, causing its fuel economy to drop. Moving up to the LT trim and beyond introduced two additional engine options: a 1.6-liter turbodiesel and a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. The turbodiesel delivered 240 lb-ft of torque but came at the cost of reduced towing capacity and a $2,500 price increase. It failed to meet its impressive fuel economy claims of 28 mpg city and 39 highway in real-world driving conditions. The recommended 2.0-liter turbocharged engine generated 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. This engine offered smooth and potent performance, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg city and 28 highway in AWD, for a combined rating of 24 mpg. However, real-world driving conditions often saw figures closer to 20 mpg. The 9-speed automatic was noted for being overly busy at lower speeds, leading to frequent and sometimes frustrating gear hunting. The 2020 Ford Escape broke away from the norm in the compact SUV segment by offering four engine choices. The standard engine for the S, SE, and SEL trims was a new 3-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine available on the SEL and standard on the Titanium trim, delivering an impressive 250 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided brisk acceleration, especially useful for highway driving. The hybrid drivetrain paired a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a battery pack and electric motor, generating 198 horsepower. This setup was standard on the SE Sport and available on the Titanium. A plug-in hybrid variant was also available for the SE, SEL, and Titanium trims. Conventional engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrids used a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The FWD or AWD option was available with the 3-cylinder engine and the non-plug-in hybrid setups, while the 2.0-liter turbo and the plug-in hybrid came standard with AWD. The Titanium trim’s turbocharged engine offered ample power, especially on the highway, although the transmission sometimes hesitated to downshift. The Escape’s steering was direct and taut, and it showcased a sporty, athletic feel complimented by strong, responsive brakes. The most fuel-efficient Escape was the standard hybrid, with a remarkable 44 mpg city, 37 highway, and 41 combined. The 1.5-liter turbo engine achieved 27/33/30 combined in FWD, and 26/31/26 with AWD. The 2.0-liter turbo engine with AWD provided 23/31/26, offering a good balance of power and efficiency.

One of the primary concerns for the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox was the quality of materials used in the cabin. The interior felt acceptable at a base price of $23,800. However, in higher trims where the price could exceed $40,000, the materials seemed cheap with visible gaps between interior panels. Despite that, the cloth seats were commendable, demonstrating improved materials from General Motors. In terms of interior space, the Equinox did well to accommodate even taller passengers despite the overall tighter design. However, cargo space was less competitive, with 29.9 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and a total of 63.5 cubic feet with the seats folded down. These dimensions were slightly less than many of the Equinox's rivals, but still sufficient for most needs. Conversely, the 2020 Ford Escape’s sleek design came at the expense of cargo space. The standard rear cargo space was 37.5 cubic feet, reducing to 34.4 cubic feet in hybrid models. With the rear seats folded down, the Escape offered 65.4 cubic feet, or 60.8 cubic feet in upper-level trims. The figures fell short of the previous 2019 Escape’s 68 cubic feet and significantly lagged behind competitors like the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, and Volkswagen Tiguan, each boasting around 75 cubic feet. Nevertheless, the emphasis on passenger space in the Escape was notable. The second-row passengers had ample headroom and decent legroom, while the front passengers enjoyed a commanding seating position with excellent visibility. The Escape featured numerous practical storage solutions, including deep water-bottle holders and various trays and compartments, prioritizing real-world storage over sheer cargo capacity.

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox saw substantial technological upgrades, particularly in its infotainment system. With a new infotainment system, HD options, and LEDs available for the LT trim, the Equinox made significant strides. The updated system, though not the most responsive, was intuitive and supported standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The larger 8-inch touchscreen, available as an upgrade, offered clear visuals but suffered from lag, especially with pinch-and-zoom functions in the navigation system. What stood out were the new HD cameras that greatly improved visibility, addressing a major shortcoming of previous Equinox models. The Equinox's Lights and Bright package for the LT trim introduced LEDs, and the Sun and Navigation package added a 120-volt outlet and extra USB ports, significantly boosting charging capabilities. However, the dual-zone auto climate control, heated front seats, and blind-spot monitoring were restricted to the $1,945 Confidence and Convenience package, available only on mid-tier trims and higher—a move that could eventually put Chevrolet at a competitive disadvantage. For the 2020 Ford Escape, the base trim featured a modest 4.2-inch audio control screen, as even lower-tier trims followed the floating screen design trend. However, stepping up to the SE trim brought an 8-inch Sync screen, highly recommended by CarGurus. The latest Sync version included both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, offering a modern and versatile interface capable of multitasking, enhancing usability for both driver and passengers. The Titanium trim was equipped with a head-up display (HUD) that used a small flip-up screen rather than projecting onto the windshield. Though this method made the HUD more affordable, it was less effective for taller drivers, as it often fell below the line of sight. The practical limitations of this HUD setup meant it added little to the driving experience for many users.

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox performed well in government and independent safety tests, earning top marks across the board. However, the headlights presented an issue. Both the lower trim halogens and upper trim HIDs received a Marginal rating from the IIHS. The Lights and Bright package available for the LT trim, with LEDs front and back, helped address these concerns. The major drawback was that essential safety features like blind-spot monitoring were not standard until the top-tier Premier trim and were only optional on the LT. Advanced safety features such as adaptive cruise control and pedestrian detection with auto braking were available exclusively as part of an expensive package on the higher trims. This positioning compared unfavorably to competitors like the Subaru Forester or Toyota RAV4, which offered superior safety features as standard. In comparison, the 2020 Ford Escape came loaded with a full suite of front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS). The NHTSA had not tested the 2020 Escape yet, but the IIHS awarded it top ratings in every phase of testing. Moreover, the Escape boasted Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced safety systems as standard. This included forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also featured standard equipment like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver drowsiness monitor. This robust safety package underscored Ford's commitment to delivering enhanced safety even on lower trims.