2020 Ford Escape vs 2019 Jeep Cherokee

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee underwent a significant design overhaul to address the polarizing styling of its predecessor. The new front-end design adopted a more conventional look, replacing the isolated daytime running lights and fog-light-like headlights with a typical headlight-above/fog-light-below configuration. The rear also saw changes, with the license plate frame moved to the center of the rear hatch, giving it a more modern appearance. Inside, the Cherokee retained its well-received dash and cabin layout, which offered a sensible and logical control arrangement, blending form and function seamlessly.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford Escape featured a sleek and attractive design, borrowing elements from the outgoing Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks, and even the Ford GT supercar. The new curvaceous design, however, came at the cost of some cargo space. Inside, the Escape boasted a modern cabin with a fully digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen. The design was forward-looking yet practical, keeping basic controls easily accessible. The Escape was available in multiple trims, each offering a range of features to suit different preferences.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee offered a variety of engine options, starting with the base 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that produced 180 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. This engine was standard on the Latitude, Latitude Plus, and the FWD Limited. The 4WD Limited, Overland, and Trailhawk trims came with a 3.2-liter V6 engine, delivering 271 horsepower and 239 pound-feet of torque. A new addition for 2019 was the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which generated 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This engine was optional across the lineup, except for the base Latitude. All engines were paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, and various 4WD systems were available, including Active Drive I, Active Drive II, and Active Drive Lock.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered four engine options, including a new 3-cylinder engine that produced 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, standard in the S, SE, and SEL trims. The 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, available on the SEL and standard on the Titanium, delivered 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid drivetrain, combining a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with electric power, produced 198 horsepower and was standard on the SE Sport and available on the Titanium. A plug-in hybrid variant was also available. The conventional engines used an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrids employed a CVT. The Escape's performance was characterized by brisk acceleration, direct steering, and a sporty feel, especially with the turbocharged engine.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee featured a highly functional control layout, with plenty of storage solutions within the driver's reach, including deep pockets in the front doors, a tray by the shifter, and a deep center console. The Cherokee offered a hands-free power liftgate as an option, although the sensor was not always reliable. Cargo space was limited, with just 25 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54 cubic feet with the seats folded, which was below average for the class.

The 2020 Ford Escape, while offering a sleeker design, sacrificed some cargo space. It provided 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, which dropped to 34.4 cubic feet in hybrid models. With the backseat folded, the Escape offered 65.4 cubic feet of cargo space, or 60.8 cubic feet in upper-level trims. Despite the reduced cargo capacity, the Escape emphasized passenger space, offering plenty of headroom and legroom for second-row passengers, and a commanding seating position for the driver and front passenger. The Escape also featured numerous storage compartments and trays for real-world usability.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee came standard with a 7-inch Uconnect touchscreen, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in the Latitude and Latitude Plus trims. Higher trims received the larger 8.3-inch Uconnect system. The latest version of Uconnect offered crisper graphics, improved responsiveness, and pinch-to-zoom functionality on the navigation system. The touchscreen menu was well-organized, with customizable screens and drag-and-drop functionality.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim featured a small 4.2-inch audio control screen, which stood out as an eyesore due to the floating screen design. The SE trim upgraded to an 8-inch Sync screen, which included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The latest version of Sync allowed for multitasking, enabling the use of different apps on the phone while projecting on the car's display. The Titanium trim included a head-up display (HUD) with a flip-up screen, which was less effective for taller drivers.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee came standard with a full array of front and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, hill-start assist, keyless entry with a panic button, and trailer-sway control. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, rear parking sensors, forward-collision avoidance and mitigation, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, automatic rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, and a self-parking feature.

The 2020 Ford Escape included a full array of front and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, and a tire-pressure-monitoring system (TPMS). It earned the best overall score of Good from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) in all phases of testing. The Escape also came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced safety systems including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver drowsiness monitor.