2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 Subaru Outback

The 2020 Ford Escape was a striking compact crossover, boasting a large grille reminiscent of the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks, with headlights inspired by the Ford GT supercar. Its curvaceous design marked a departure from the previous model's upright rear end, 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 range of trims, from the base S to the top-tier Titanium, offered various features, with the SE trim recommended for its value, including an 8-inch Sync 3 screen and heated front seats.

The 2020 Subaru Outback retained its winning formula, focusing on incremental improvements. Built on Subaru’s Global Platform, it boasted a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-liter engine, though seemingly unchanged, had 90% new parts, while the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Ascent was available in higher trims. Externally, changes were subtle, but the interior saw significant updates, including an 11.6-inch touchscreen for most trims. The Outback also introduced DriverFocus, a tech feature usually seen in luxury brands, using facial recognition to adjust settings and monitor driver alertness. With seven trim levels, the Outback offered a range of features, from the base 2.5i with LED headlights and keyless entry to the Touring XT with a turbo engine and premium amenities.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered a diverse range of four engine options, setting it apart from competitors. The base 3-cylinder engine produced 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, standard in the S, SE, and SEL trims. A 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, generated 198 horsepower, standard on the SE Sport and available on the Titanium. A plug-in hybrid variant was optional on the SE, SEL, and Titanium. The Escape's conventional engines used an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrids employed a CVT. The most efficient version was the non-Sport hybrid, achieving 44 mpg city, 37 highway, and 41 combined.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an upgraded 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower, a 7-hp increase over the previous year, and improved fuel efficiency of 26 mpg city and 33 highway. For those seeking more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in the XT trims offered 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, enabling a 0-60 mph time of around 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a CVT, tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, minimizing the typical droning and rubberbanding effects. Subaru's symmetrical AWD system provided consistent power delivery and enhanced stability, both on and off-road. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance and upgraded X-Mode on the Onyx XT, the Outback was capable of handling various terrains, though it wasn't designed for extreme off-roading.

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, or 60.8 cubic feet in upper-level trims. While this was less than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, it was comparable to the Mazda CX-5. The Escape prioritized passenger space, offering ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers, along with commanding seating positions for the front occupants. The interior featured numerous storage solutions, including deep water-bottle holders and multiple compartments.

The 2020 Subaru Outback, as a station wagon, excelled in functionality. It provided 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expanding to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Subaru claimed an increase in passenger and overall volume, aided by a wider rear wheel area. The interior was spacious enough for a 6’4” driver to sit comfortably in both the front and rear seats. The Outback's design prioritized visibility, offering excellent sightlines in most directions, though the rear quarters had a notable blind spot. The low load height and ground clearance contributed to its practicality, making it a versatile choice for various needs.

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, recommended by CarGurus, upgraded to an 8-inch Sync screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The latest Sync version allowed multitasking, enhancing the user experience. The Titanium trim included a head-up display (HUD) with a flip-up screen, which was less effective for taller drivers as it often fell below their line of sight.

The 2020 Subaru Outback aimed to attract tech enthusiasts with its 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen. While the screen was large and visually appealing, it suffered from lag across various functions, including navigation and radio station changes. The camera resolution was also lacking, exacerbated by the large screen. Despite these issues, the layout was generally intuitive, though some climate-control functions were buried within the system.

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 TPMS. It earned a Good rating from the IIHS in all testing phases. The standard Ford Co-Pilot360 suite included advanced safety systems like 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 Subaru Outback's safety features were a mixed bag. While the standard safety suite was impressive, the EyeSight system, an optical system, had drawbacks, such as turning off in certain conditions. The DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, was problematic, frequently issuing false alerts. Despite these issues, the Outback's standard AWD system provided reliable traction and stability.