2020 Ford Escape vs 2021 Genesis GV80

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 design was more curvaceous than its predecessor, which had a more upright rear end. Despite this change, 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 forward-looking design with practical controls. The test model included a fully digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen, contributing to its sleek and contemporary interior.

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as Genesis' first SUV, was a fresh design that managed to incorporate the brand's signature styling cues. It featured a long hood, short front overhang, and a distinctive grille with a diamond mesh and the Genesis flying “G” badge. The SUV's design was further enhanced by the “Quad Lamp” LED headlight array and large wheel arches over aluminum-alloy wheels. The rear design echoed the front with Quad Lamp taillights and twin trapezoidal tailpipes. Inside, the GV80 offered a luxurious and uncluttered cabin, with a focus on horizontal design elements and authentic materials like real wood and leather, creating a sophisticated and spacious environment.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered a diverse range of four engine options, starting with a 3-cylinder engine producing 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, 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, produced 198 horsepower, while a plug-in hybrid variant was also available. The Escape's conventional engines used an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrids employed a CVT. The Escape's steering was direct and taut, with strong brakes contributing to its sporty feel. The most efficient version was the non-Sport hybrid, achieving 44 mpg city, 37 highway, and 41 combined.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine choices: a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 producing 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. The V6 models came with standard AWD, while the 4-cylinder models had RWD with optional AWD. Both engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The GV80 featured independent multi-link suspension and, on 3.5T models, electronically-controlled suspension with road preview. The 2.5T engine was lively but could feel thrashy when pushed, while the 3.5T was smoother and quieter, thanks to active noise cancellation. The GV80's fuel economy was rated at 21/25/23 mpg for the 2.5T RWD and 18/23/20 mpg for the 3.5T AWD.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleeker 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 cargo space expanded to 65.4 cubic feet, or 60.8 cubic feet in upper-level trims. Despite the reduction, the Escape prioritized passenger space, providing ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers. The front seats offered commanding positions with good visibility, and the interior featured numerous storage solutions, including deep water-bottle holders and multiple compartments.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 was a sophisticated vehicle with a complex array of features. The center console and stack combined technology, design, and ergonomics, featuring a rotary gear selector and a circular multimedia controller with dual control capability. The HVAC control panel used capacitive touch buttons with intelligent masking to prevent accidental misuse. The GV80's second row was comfortable and roomy, with available power seats and window shades. A third row was standard on 3.5T AWD Advanced+ models, increasing passenger capacity to seven, with power-folding and split 50/50 functionality.

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, with the latest version of Sync offering multitasking capabilities.

The 2021 Genesis GV80's infotainment system was a highlight, featuring a 14.5-inch HD screen with user-configurable split-screen displays. It supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with over-the-air updates and cloud profiles for personalized settings. The GV80 offered a digital key function for Android users, allowing keyless entry and configuration. It came with three years of complimentary Genesis Connected Services, including remote start, vehicle health reports, and navigation. A head-up display and a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster were available on higher trims, and the audio system ranged from a standard 12-speaker setup to a premium 21-speaker Lexicon 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 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 2021 Genesis GV80 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time, but Genesis aimed for top safety ratings. It featured 10 airbags, including a front-center airbag, and a suite of advanced safety systems such as blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and forward collision-avoidance assist. The GV80's adaptive cruise control with machine learning tailored its function to each driver's behavior, and highway-driving assist helped maintain following distances and perform lane changes. The GV80 also offered Remote Smart Parking Assist for automated parking.