2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2020 Ford Escape was a striking compact crossover, borrowing design elements from the Ford GT supercar, with a large grille reminiscent of the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks. Its curvaceous design marked a departure from the more upright rear end of 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 boasted a modern cabin with a digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen, maintaining a balance between futuristic design and practical control placement. The model offered various trims, from the base S with essential features to the luxurious Titanium, which included premium audio and leather seating.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover carried a legacy of luxury and ruggedness, originating from its Series I off-roader roots. The current generation, introduced in 2012, offered multiple trims, including HSE, Autobiography, and SVAutobiography Dynamic, with options for standard or long wheelbase configurations. Standard features included leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, and the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with dual 10-inch screens. The Range Rover's interior was a blend of opulence and technology, with options for heated and ventilated seats, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a front console refrigerator. The SVAutobiography trim stood out with unique styling and nearly every available feature, emphasizing the Range Rover's commitment to luxury and performance.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered a diverse range of powertrains, setting it apart from its competitors. It featured a new 3-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, standard in the S, SE, and SEL trims. The lineup also included a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, available on the SEL and standard on the Titanium. Additionally, the Escape offered hybrid options, including a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a battery pack, producing 198 horsepower, and a plug-in hybrid variant. The conventional engines used an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrids employed a CVT. The Escape's handling was sporty, with direct steering and strong brakes, providing an engaging driving experience. The most efficient version was the non-Sport hybrid, achieving 44 mpg city, 37 highway, and 41 combined.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover featured a range of powerful engines, starting with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with a mild-hybrid system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HSE trim offered a non-hybrid version of the same engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. A turbodiesel V6 was also available, rated at 254 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. The P525 and Autobiography trims came with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, generating 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, with an optional plug-in hybrid powertrain. The SVAutobiography Dynamic trim featured a high-performance V8, producing 557 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Range Rover excelled in comfort and off-road capability, with an electronic air suspension and Terrain Response System, offering various drive modes for different conditions.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleek design resulted in reduced 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, the Escape provided 65.4 cubic feet of space, or 60.8 cubic feet in upper-level trims. While this was less than rivals like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, the Escape prioritized passenger space, offering ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers. The front seats provided a commanding view, and the cabin featured numerous storage solutions, including deep water-bottle holders and multiple compartments.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered two wheelbase options, with the SWB version providing 70.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 34.5 cubic feet with them up. The LWB model increased total cargo space to 77.5 cubic feet. Despite its luxury focus, the Range Rover's cargo capacity was less than some competitors. It featured a hands-free power liftgate with a two-piece configuration, facilitating easier loading and tailgating. The interior included a center-console compartment and space beneath the digital control panel, with decently sized door compartments and cupholders.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim featured a small 4.2-inch audio control screen, which stood out due to the floating screen design. The SE trim upgraded to an 8-inch Sync 3 screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, offering a more user-friendly experience. The Titanium trim included a head-up display, though its flip-up screen design limited its effectiveness for taller drivers.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover's InControl Touch Pro Duo system was a highlight, featuring two touchscreens for navigation, phone, stereo, and climate controls. The system included integrated dials that changed functions based on the selected menu. While the system had a learning curve and potential lag issues, it offered a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2020 Ford Escape came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, and a tire-pressure-monitoring system. It earned a "Good" rating from the IIHS in all phases of testing. The Escape also featured Ford Co-Pilot360, which included forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams, along with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered standard safety features such as low-speed automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Optional features included a 360-degree parking camera, blind-spot monitoring, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Range Rover's safety features were comprehensive, though some competitors offered more standard equipment.