2020 Ford Escape vs 2021 Toyota 4Runner

The 2020 Ford Escape was a very attractive compact crossover, sharing its large grille with the outgoing Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks. The headlights were inspired by the Ford GT supercar. The previous Escape had a more upright rear end, but the new curvaceous design came at a cost. Despite this, the Escape remained one of the best-looking small SUVs on the market, perhaps only behind the Mazda CX-5 and Jeep Cherokee. Inside, the Escape featured a modern cabin with a fully digital instrument panel, floating infotainment screen, and an overall smooth design. The base S trim came with 17-inch steel wheels, a 4.2-inch instrument-panel screen, and Sync infotainment. The SE trim added 17-inch painted aluminum wheels, automatic climate control, and an 8-inch Sync 3 infotainment system. The SE Sport trim included black-painted wheels and a hybrid drivetrain. The SEL trim added fog lamps, black roof racks, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Titanium trim featured unique 19-inch wheels, a dual-panel moonroof, and a premium B&O audio system.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner had not been redesigned for 12 years, but it still maintained a rugged and timeless appeal. Most versions adopted a gape-mouthed and angry visage, except for the chrome-festooned 4Runner Limited. The two-box body with flared fenders and trapezoidal wheel arches broadcasted balanced proportions and undeniable utility. The 4Runner was like a good tool, not requiring frequent redesigns. Toyota offered the 4Runner in SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro trim levels. The Trail Special Edition, based on the SR5, came with dark gray TRD Off-Road wheels and a Yakima RoadWarrior rooftop cargo basket. Inside, it featured black cloth upholstery with tan stitching, all-weather floor mats, and a sliding rear cargo tray. The dashboard was old-school, with big knobs and buttons, and manual air conditioning. The 4Runner represented a simple, durable good on four wheels, something you could buy today and still drive decades from now.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered four engine options, including a new 3-cylinder engine making 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, made 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, part of the hybrid drivetrain, made 198 horsepower. There was also a plug-in hybrid variant. The conventional engines sent power through an 8-speed automatic, while the hybrids used a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The 3-cylinder engine and the non-plug-in hybrid setup were available with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), while the turbo engine and the plug-in came standard with AWD. The Escape Titanium, with the most powerful engine, had plenty of power around town and shined on the highway. The most efficient version was the non-Sport hybrid, returning fuel economy of 44 mpg city, 37 highway, 41 combined.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, with its 4.0-liter V6 engine making 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, was designed for off-road adventures. A five-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels unless manually shifted into 4-Hi or 4-Lo. The Trail Special Edition tackled mud, hills, and ruts with ease, thanks to the A-Trac off-road traction control system. The TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims added a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control. On pavement, the 4Runner felt slow, heavy, and clunky, with challenging steering and braking. The EPA rated the 4Runner at 17 mpg in combined driving, and during testing, it averaged 16.8 mpg. The 4Runner's truck-like driving characteristics were part of its charm, but it required frequent stops at the gas station.

The 2020 Ford Escape had a sleeker design than its predecessor, resulting in less cargo space. 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 down, it provided 65.4 cubic feet of cargo space or 60.8 cubic feet in upper-level trims. The Escape emphasized passenger space, with plenty of headroom and legroom for second-row passengers. The front seats provided good visibility and confidence. There were also plenty of storage spots for gear, including deep water-bottle holders and multiple trays and compartments.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner sat high off the ground, making it challenging for shorter individuals to climb aboard. Once inside, the 4Runner offered comfortable front and rear seats with proper support. The back seat had generous legroom, good visibility, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. The 4Runner's back bumper served as a perfect place to sit for various activities. Depending on configuration, cargo space measured up to 47.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Trail Special Edition's big roof rack added to the available space. Interior storage was decent, too.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim came with a small 4.2-inch audio control screen, which stood out as an eyesore. The SE trim moved up to an 8-inch Sync screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Titanium trim included a head-up display (HUD) with a small flip-up screen, which limited the experience for taller drivers. The latest version of Sync allowed for multi-tasking, making it a fantastic feature.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition did not come with much technology. It had a windshield wiper de-icer system and a 120-volt AC power outlet in the cargo area. The standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and five USB ports. The premium audio upgrade added dynamic navigation, dynamic point-of-interest search, and dynamic voice recognition. The voice recognition technology was effective, and the navigation map included main trails at Hungry Valley. Physical shortcut buttons and knobs made the system easy to use, even with gloves.

The 2020 Ford Escape came with a full array of front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, and a tire-pressure-monitoring system (TPMS). It earned the best overall score of Good from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) in all phases of testing. The Escape also came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced safety systems including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver drowsiness monitor.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic forward emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it did not include a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic warning. The 4Runner received a three-star rollover resistance rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a top rating of "Good" for roof crush strength from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, the IIHS rated the 4Runner's protection for the driver in a small overlap frontal-impact collision as Marginal, and the NHTSA gave the front passenger protection a three-star rating in a frontal-impact crash.