2021 BMW X7 vs 2020 Ford Escape

The 2020 Ford Escape was a visually appealing compact crossover, borrowing design elements from the Ford GT supercar, such as its large grille and distinctive headlights. Despite its more curvaceous design compared to its predecessor, which resulted in some compromises, 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 yet practical cabin, featuring a fully digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen, maintaining a balance between futuristic design and user-friendly controls.

The 2021 BMW X7, on the other hand, exuded luxury and sophistication, with an interior quality surpassing that of its competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. The X7's styling was bold, with a massive grille that suited its large SUV stature. Inside, it shared high-tech design elements with the X5, offering high-quality materials and mostly intuitive controls. The X7's interior was a blend of traditional BMW cues and modern glam, making it a standout in its class.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered a diverse range of engine options, including a new 3-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft 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, delivered 250 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, providing brisk acceleration. The hybrid drivetrain, with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, produced 198 horsepower, while a plug-in hybrid variant was also available. The Escape's steering was direct and taut, offering an athletic feel, and its brakes were strong and responsive. The most efficient version was the non-Sport hybrid, achieving 44 mpg city, 37 highway, and 41 combined.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW X7 featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 335 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and BMW’s xDrive AWD system. The X7 incorporated eBoost mild-hybrid technology, enhancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. Despite its size, the X7 accelerated to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. However, its self-leveling air suspension struggled with excessive body motions, affecting driving enjoyment. The X7 excelled in smoothness and serenity, with features like Active Comfort Drive and Integral Active Steering enhancing ride quality and maneuverability.

The 2020 Ford Escape prioritized passenger space over cargo capacity, offering 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, which reduced 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 losing cargo space compared to its predecessor, the Escape emphasized real-world storage solutions, with ample headroom and legroom for passengers and numerous compartments for gear.

The 2021 BMW X7, equipped with luxurious features like heated and ventilated seats and premium Merino leather upholstery, offered outstanding front-seat comfort. The second-row captain's chairs were exceptionally comfortable, though accessing the third row required some maneuvering. The X7 provided 48.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row folded and 90.4 cubic feet with the second row down, falling short of class leaders but still offering ample space for passengers and cargo.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim featured 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 included a head-up display, though its flip-up screen design limited its effectiveness for taller drivers. The Escape's infotainment system was user-friendly, offering a modern interface and multitasking capabilities.

The 2021 BMW X7 boasted a 12.3-inch iDrive 7.0 infotainment system with navigation, featuring Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It included enhanced SiriusXM 360L, Connected Package Pro, wireless smartphone charging, and a natural voice-recognition system. Despite some inconsistencies with gesture control, the iDrive system provided a comprehensive and user-friendly experience. The X7 also featured a head-up display, though visibility was limited with polarized sunglasses.

The 2020 Ford Escape came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including Ford Co-Pilot360, which offered forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. It received a Good rating from the IIHS in all phases of testing, though it had not been tested by the NHTSA.

The 2021 BMW X7 included standard safety technologies, with additional features available in the Driving Assistance Professional Package and Parking Assistance Package. These packages offered advanced driving assistance systems, such as evasive-steering assist and semi-automated parking assist. The X7's safety technology was generally impressive, though some systems exhibited occasional quirks.