2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 Lexus GX

The 2020 Ford Escape was a very attractive compact crossover, sharing its large grille with the outgoing Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks. The headlights were inspired by the Ford GT supercar, and although the new Escape had a more curvaceous design compared to its predecessor, it remained one of the best-looking small SUVs on the market. Inside, the Escape featured a modern cabin with a fully digital instrument panel, floating infotainment screen, and a smooth, forward-looking design. The base S trim came with 17-inch steel wheels, a 4.2-inch instrument-panel screen, and Sync infotainment. The SE trim added 17-inch painted aluminum wheels, automatic climate control, and an 8-inch Sync 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SE Sport trim included black-painted wheels and a hybrid drivetrain, while the SEL added fog lamps, black roof racks, and a hands-free power liftgate. The range-topping Titanium trim featured unique 19-inch wheels, a dual-panel moonroof, and a premium B&O audio system.

The 2020 Lexus GX, despite its age, received some new design tweaks, including the garish hourglass grille. The GX shared a platform with the Toyota 4Runner, making it incredibly capable and rugged. Inside, the GX's cabin looked unchanged from a decade ago, with a large, chunky center console and big buttons. The GX was available in three trims: the 460, 460 Premium, and 460 Luxury. The base 460 trim included 10-way power front seats, leather upholstery, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Premium trim added rain-sensing windshield wipers, 3-zone automatic climate control, and heated and ventilated front seats. The Luxury trim featured premium leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, and power-folding third-row seats. Our test model also came with an optional rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered four engine options, including a new 3-cylinder engine making 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, produced 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, part of the hybrid drivetrain, made 198 horsepower and was standard on the SE Sport and available on the Titanium. A plug-in hybrid variant was optional on the SE, SEL, and Titanium. The conventional engines used an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrids used a CVT. The 3-cylinder engine and non-plug-in hybrid were available with FWD or AWD, while the turbo engine and plug-in hybrid came standard with AWD. The Escape Titanium, with the most powerful engine, provided brisk acceleration and a sporty driving experience. The most efficient version was the non-Sport hybrid, returning 44 mpg city, 37 highway, and 41 combined.

The 2020 Lexus GX 460 was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, sent through a 6-speed automatic transmission to standard 4WD. The GX's steering was light but direct and responsive, and the self-leveling air suspension provided a smooth yet composed ride. The GX excelled in off-road conditions, with various 4WD modes and a suspension response adjustable between Comfort, Normal, and Sport. The GX could tow up to 6,500 pounds and had a tight turning radius of 19 feet. However, its fuel economy was not impressive, returning 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined.

The 2020 Ford Escape had a sleeker design but sacrificed cargo space, offering 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 34.4 cubic feet in hybrid models. With the backseat folded, it provided 65.4 cubic feet or 60.8 cubic feet in upper-level trims. The Escape emphasized passenger space, with plenty of headroom and legroom for second-row passengers and commanding seating positions for the front occupants. There were also numerous storage solutions, including deep water-bottle holders and multiple trays and compartments.

The 2020 Lexus GX offered 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space with all rear seats folded, which was less than some competitors. The GX had a side-opening rear hatch and a separately opening rear window/hatch. The Premium and Luxury trims were available with second-row captain's chairs, and the Luxury trim came standard with power-folding third-row seats. The second-row captain's chairs provided a small access way to the third row and a natural barrier between kids. However, getting into the third row could be a chore for adults.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim had a small 4.2-inch audio control screen, while the SE trim upgraded to an 8-inch Sync 3 screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Titanium trim featured a head-up display (HUD) with a small flip-up screen. The latest version of Sync allowed for multi-tasking, making it a user-friendly system.

The 2020 Lexus GX's infotainment setup showed its age, with a true touchscreen flanked by large buttons for audio, navigation, and climate controls. However, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The simplicity of this system might appeal to some drivers, despite missing out on modern smartphone integration.

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

The 2020 Lexus GX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring and an available surround-view camera. The GX's great visibility, with massive windows and mirrors, added to its safety.