2020 Ford Escape vs 2021 Mazda CX-30

The 2020 Ford Escape was a visually appealing 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 compared to its predecessor, which had a more upright rear end. Despite this change, the Escape remained one of the best-looking small SUVs, trailing only behind models like the Mazda CX-5 and Jeep Cherokee. Inside, the Escape featured a modern cabin with a forward-looking design that retained basic controls in familiar places. The test model included a fully digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen, contributing to its smooth and contemporary aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo was characterized by its bold use of black accents, including shiny black 18-inch wheels, grille, and side mirror housings, along with matte black body cladding. This design choice gave the CX-30 a distinctive appearance, setting it apart from the Mazda3 hatchback on which it was based. The CX-30's cabin mirrored the Mazda3's, offering quality materials and an upscale vibe with stitched chocolate brown surfaces. The interior changes were minimal, with a chrome accent around the engine start button and a frameless rearview mirror. The CX-30 Turbo's pricing ranged from approximately $31,000 to $35,000, with the test vehicle priced at $35,745.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered a diverse range of engine options, including a new 3-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, standard in the S, SE, and SEL trims. Additionally, it featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine available on the SEL and standard on the Titanium trim, delivering 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. The Escape also provided two hybrid setups, with the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 198 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid variant was optional on the SE, SEL, and Titanium trims. The conventional engines used an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrids employed a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Escape's steering was direct and taut, offering an athletic feel, and the most efficient version was the non-Sport hybrid, achieving 44 mpg city, 37 highway, and 41 combined.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing between 227 and 250 horsepower depending on the fuel's octane rating. Torque ranged from 310 to 320 pound-feet, providing effortless acceleration. The CX-30 Turbo's fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg combined, with a real-world average of 24.1 mpg. Mazda's focus on driving satisfaction was evident in the CX-30 Turbo's performance, with G-Vectoring Control Plus technology and i-Activ AWD enhancing handling. The CX-30 Turbo's Off-Road mode and 2.5 inches of extra ground clearance made it suitable for light off-road adventures, although its added height and weight slightly compromised on-pavement performance compared to the Mazda3.

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 Escape provided 65.4 cubic feet of cargo space, or 60.8 cubic feet in upper-level trims. Despite the reduction, the Escape prioritized passenger space, offering ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers. The front seats provided commanding seating positions with good visibility, and the cabin featured numerous storage solutions, including deep water-bottle holders and multiple compartments.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo excelled in driver comfort, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a driver-focused interior layout. Both front seats were heated, and a heated steering wheel was standard with Premium and Premium Plus trims. The cabin's organic shapes and minimalism contributed to a sense of spaciousness, although the rear seat was cramped for adults. The CX-30 Turbo offered 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 45.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, the location of the optional wireless smartphone charger in the center console storage bin limited its usability for storage.

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 (HUD) with a flip-up screen, which was less effective for taller drivers. The latest version of Sync allowed for multitasking, enhancing the user experience.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo's 8.8-inch infotainment system display was not a touchscreen, requiring physical controls and voice commands for operation. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided smartphone integration, while Premium and Premium Plus trims added SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The CX-30 Turbo also featured an Active Driving Display, projecting useful data onto the windshield.

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 a tire-pressure-monitoring system (TPMS). It earned a Good rating from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) in all phases of testing. The Escape also featured Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced safety systems, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in all assessments except rollover resistance. It was equipped with i-ActiveSense advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive front lighting, front and rear parking sensors, a rear automatic braking system, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-30 Turbo also featured a mobile 9-1-1 automatic emergency notification system.