2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 Hyundai Kona

The 2020 Ford Escape was a striking compact crossover, boasting a large grille reminiscent of the outgoing Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks, with headlights inspired by the Ford GT supercar. Its design was more curvaceous than its predecessor, which came at the cost of some cargo space. Despite this, the Escape remained one of the most attractive small SUVs, trailing only behind the Mazda CX-5 and Jeep Cherokee. Inside, the Escape featured a modern cabin with a digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen, maintaining a balance between futuristic design and practical controls. The various trims, from the base S to the top-tier Titanium, offered a range of features, with the SE trim being particularly recommended for its value.

In contrast, the 2020 Hyundai Kona presented an exciting and sporty exterior, larger than the Ford EcoSport and more visually stimulating than many of its competitors. The Kona's design cleverly used its compact dimensions to create a sleek and dramatic look, with tiered lighting and bold trim that made it appear larger than it was. The Limited and Ultimate trims featured larger wheels and additional trim for a premium vibe. However, the interior did not match the exterior's quality, with hard plastics and lackluster finishes. The Kona's cabin was functional but lacked the tactile quality found in rivals like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered a diverse range of engine options, setting it apart from competitors. The base engine was a 3-cylinder producing 180 horsepower, available in the S, SE, and SEL trims. A 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, standard on the Titanium trim, delivered 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, providing brisk acceleration. The Escape also featured hybrid options, with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 198 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid variant was available on the SE, SEL, and Titanium trims. The Escape's steering was direct and taut, offering an athletic feel, while its fuel economy varied across models, with the non-Sport hybrid achieving up to 44 mpg city.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona's standout feature was its 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, producing 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, provided strong acceleration and confidence in various driving conditions. The standard engine was a 2.0-liter inline-four with 147 horsepower, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Kona's handling was impressive, with fast steering and a tight suspension, offering a driving experience comparable to more expensive models. However, the Kona's engines were noisier, and the cabin was less insulated than competitors. Fuel economy was average, with the 1.6T AWD achieving 26 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleek design resulted in reduced cargo space compared to its predecessor. It offered 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row, dropping to 34.4 cubic feet in hybrid models. With the backseat folded, cargo space increased to 65.4 cubic feet, or 60.8 cubic feet in upper trims. Despite this, the Escape prioritized passenger space, providing ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers. The front seats offered commanding positions with good visibility, and the cabin featured numerous storage solutions for everyday use.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona struggled with interior space, offering only 19 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This was significantly less than competitors like the Honda HR-V and Buick Encore GX. The Kona's rear seating was adequate for four passengers, but taller individuals might find it cramped. While the controls were easy to use and the infotainment system was efficient, the Kona's limited cargo space and lack of utility features made it less practical for those needing more room.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim featured a small 4.2-inch audio control screen, which was considered outdated. The SE trim improved this with an 8-inch Sync screen, offering Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Titanium trim included a head-up display, though its design was less effective for taller drivers. The Escape's technology offerings were solid, but the base model's screen was a notable drawback.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona, except for the base SE, came with a robust list of standard features. The SE included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SEL trim added proximity entry, heated seats, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL Plus introduced wireless charging and an upgraded stereo. The Limited trim featured leather upholstery, while the Ultimate trim offered a sunroof, navigation, and adaptive cruise control. The Kona's technology package was comprehensive, especially in higher trims.

The 2020 Ford Escape came equipped with a full suite of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, and traction control. It earned a Good rating from the IIHS in all testing phases and included Ford Co-Pilot360, offering advanced safety systems like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was named a 2020 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. It featured standard safety equipment such as forward emergency braking and lane-keep assist. However, pedestrian detection was only available on the Ultimate trim, and the Kona lacked front knee airbags and rear side airbags.