2020 Ford Escape vs 2021 BMW X5

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 curvaceous design marked a departure from the more upright rear end of its predecessor, which came at the cost of some practicality. 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 that balanced futuristic design with intuitive controls. The test model included a fully digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen, contributing to its sleek, contemporary aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW X5 exemplified BMW's hallmark craftsmanship, with a design that was unmistakably BMW from its kidney grille to its body shape. While this consistency ensured familiarity, it also risked blending in with other BMW models. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and a choice of xLine or M Sport styling, each offering distinct visual cues. The interior, though sharing many elements with other BMW vehicles, was not lacking in quality, with ample leather and soft-touch materials. M Sport models added unique styling touches, enhancing the sporty feel of the SUV.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered a diverse range of powertrains, including a new 3-cylinder engine producing 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 options included a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a battery pack, generating 198 horsepower, and a plug-in hybrid variant. 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 2021 BMW X5 offered several powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, while the X5 M reached 600 horsepower, increasing to 617 with the Competition Package. The X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid combined a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 389 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, with up to 30 miles of all-electric range. The X5's dynamics were less engaging than expected, with steering issues at higher speeds and a Lincoln-like ride quality.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleeker design resulted in reduced cargo space, offering 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row, dropping to 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. Despite this, the Escape prioritized passenger space, with ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers and commanding seating positions for the front occupants. The interior featured numerous storage solutions, including deep water-bottle holders and multiple compartments.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with well-placed cupholders and a wireless phone charging pad. The seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, though the front seats could feel hard after extended periods. The rear seats accommodated two adults comfortably, with an optional third row available. The X5 retained its split liftgate, offering easy operation and vehicle height adjustment for loading cargo. The cargo area was spacious, though slightly reduced in the xDrive45e model. However, moving children and cargo in and out of the second row was challenging due to narrow door openings.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim featured a small 4.2-inch audio control screen, which appeared outdated compared to modern standards. The SE trim upgraded to an 8-inch Sync 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 2021 BMW X5 came equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The standard features included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, a proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional upgrades included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, and premium audio systems. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was intuitive once familiar.

The 2020 Ford Escape featured a comprehensive array of safety equipment, 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 testing phases. The standard Ford Co-Pilot360 suite included advanced safety systems such as 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 2021 BMW X5 was equipped with numerous standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems had performance issues, particularly in bright sunlight and light rain. The X5 received mostly Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.