2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 Acura MDX

The 2020 Ford Escape was a visually appealing compact crossover, borrowing design cues from the outgoing Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks, and featuring headlights inspired by the Ford GT supercar. Its curvaceous design, while attractive, resulted in a slight reduction in cargo space compared to its predecessor. Inside, the Escape boasted a modern yet user-friendly cabin, with a fully digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen. The various trims offered a range of features, from the basic S with its 4.2-inch screen and driver-assistance features to the luxurious Titanium with its 19-inch wheels, dual-panel moonroof, and premium B&O audio system.

The 2020 Acura MDX, while not groundbreaking in its styling, presented a sleek and low-slung profile for a three-row SUV. Its Jewel Eye LED headlights added a touch of sophistication to the front, complemented by a trapezoidal grille with a prominent Acura logo. Inside, the MDX featured a modern and simple design, highlighted by twin infotainment screens and a high-quality material selection. The center stack was particularly notable, with an 8.0-inch LED screen for navigation and an On Demand Multi-Use Display touchscreen below it. The overall fit and finish of the MDX's interior were impressive, providing a solid and well-built feel.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered a diverse range of engine options, starting with a 3-cylinder engine producing 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, providing brisk acceleration. 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 offered. The Escape's handling was direct and taut, with strong, responsive brakes, giving it an athletic feel. Fuel economy varied, with the non-Sport hybrid achieving 44 mpg city, 37 highway, and 41 combined, while the 2.0-liter turbo with AWD returned 23/31/26.

The 2020 Acura MDX came with two powertrain options: a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a Sport Hybrid with a 3.0-liter V6 and three electric motors, delivering a combined 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque. The MDX's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system enhanced its nimbleness in corners, with torque vectoring improving handling. The MDX's four-wheel independent suspension provided a comfortable ride, making it a suitable companion for long drives. The gasoline-only model with SH-AWD displayed good straight-line performance and smooth power delivery, especially when accelerating from a standstill around a corner.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleeker design resulted in a reduction in cargo space compared to its predecessor. It offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, dropping to 34.4 cubic feet in hybrid models. With the backseat folded down, the Escape provided 65.4 cubic feet of cargo space, or 60.8 cubic feet in upper-level trims. Despite the reduction in cargo space, the Escape emphasized passenger space, with ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers and a commanding seating position for the driver and front passenger. The interior featured multiple storage solutions, including deep water-bottle holders and various trays and compartments.

The 2020 Acura MDX, designed as a family-friendly three-row SUV, offered sliding and reclining second-row seats for easier access to the third row. It provided 15.8 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 43.4 cubic feet with the third row folded flat, and 90.9 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The MDX featured a recessed cubby hole and underfloor storage for concealed items. Up front, the MDX had a large glove box, a flexible center console with multiple storage options, and water-bottle pockets in all four door panels. Second-row passengers had access to cupholders and seat-back pouches, while third-row passengers had an outboard armrest with a storage bin and cup holder. The MDX also came with tri-zone climate control for personalized comfort.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim came with 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 with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, offering a fantastic user experience. The Titanium trim included a head-up display (HUD) with a flip-up screen, which was less effective for taller drivers. The latest version of Sync allowed for multi-tasking, enhancing the overall infotainment experience.

The 2020 Acura MDX simplified its trim levels into packages, each packed with technology features. The base MDX included Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SMS/MMS text message and email capability, a CD/MP3 player, five USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an eight-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added features like rain-sensing windshield wipers, LED puddle lights, parking sensors, navigation, GPS-linked climate control, remote engine start, and a premium audio system. The Advance Package included additional tech features such as the Active Damper System suspension, LED fog lights, heated and ventilated front seats, a surround-view camera system, and Head-Up Warning. The Entertainment Package, available with either the Technology or Advance Package, offered a rear entertainment system with a 16.2-inch Ultra-Wide screen and HDMI compatibility.

The 2020 Ford Escape came with a comprehensive array of safety features, including 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.

The 2020 Acura MDX featured AcuraWatch, a suite of passive and active safety features, and advanced driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while the Advance Package included Head-Up Warning. Additional safety equipment included a rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, front airbags, front-side airbags, side curtain airbags with rollover sensor, driver’s knee airbag, stability control with traction control and motion-adaptive steering, Trailer Stability Assist on AWD models, tire pressure monitoring with location and pressure indicators, LATCH child-seat mounts, and a theft-deterrent system. The MDX's Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) Body Structure was designed to absorb crash impact and protect occupants. The MDX received high safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.