2020 Ford Escape vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Ford Escape was a visually appealing compact crossover, sharing its large grille with the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks, and featuring headlights inspired by the Ford GT supercar. Its design was more curvaceous than its predecessor, which came at the cost of some practicality, yet it remained one of the best-looking small SUVs, trailing only the Mazda CX-5 and Jeep Cherokee. Inside, the Escape boasted a modern cabin with a forward-looking design that retained essential controls. The test model featured a fully digital instrument panel, a floating infotainment screen, and a sleek, contemporary design. The Escape was available in several trims, with the SE trim recommended for its value, offering an 8-inch Sync 3 screen, automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a power driver's seat.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 sported a rugged-looking exterior reminiscent of traditional SUVs, with boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end. This aggressive styling set it apart from previous RAV4 generations and other compact crossovers. Despite its bold appearance, the RAV4 was based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, shared with other Toyota models. The RAV4 Adventure and TRD Off-Road models added unique styling elements and off-road capabilities, such as matte black wheels and increased ground clearance. Inside, the RAV4 featured rugged styling touches, like large rubberized knobs and door handles, but material quality did not improve significantly with higher trims. The TRD Off-Road model had SofTex upholstery, which was durable but not as luxurious as leather.

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. 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 drivetrain, standard on the SE Sport and available on the Titanium, combined a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with electric power for 198 horsepower. A plug-in hybrid variant was also available. The Escape's steering was direct and taut, offering an athletic feel, while the brakes were strong and responsive. The most efficient version was the non-Sport hybrid, with fuel economy ratings of 44 mpg city, 37 highway, and 41 combined.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came with a single gasoline engine option, the "Dynamic Force" 2.5-liter four-cylinder, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard FWD or optional AWD. The engine achieved 40% thermal efficiency, a level typically found in racing engines, and delivered impressive output for a naturally aspirated four-cylinder. However, the transmission struggled to keep up, and the steering lacked feel, resulting in a less engaging driving experience. The RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime offered more power and refinement, with the Prime delivering 302 horsepower. On the highway, the RAV4 provided a quiet cabin and a comfortable ride, but its off-road capabilities were more notable, with the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models featuring a torque-vectoring rear axle and 8.6 inches of ground clearance.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleeker design resulted in reduced cargo space, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 34.4 cubic feet in hybrid models. Folding the backseat down provided 65.4 cubic feet or 60.8 cubic feet in upper-level trims. While this was less than some competitors, Ford emphasized passenger space, offering ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers. The front seats provided a commanding view, and there were numerous storage solutions, including deep water-bottle holders and multiple compartments.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4's tall, upright roof offered competitive headroom and good visibility, but legroom was slightly behind some rivals. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats had flat, hard cushions. Cargo space was 37.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, slightly above average but behind the Honda CR-V. The RAV4's interior featured oversized knobs and steering-wheel controls, making them easy to use, even with gloves. However, the center-console storage was limited, and the design prioritized larger vehicle controls over cupholders and loose change 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, but it was a flip-up screen rather than a windshield projection, limiting its effectiveness for taller drivers.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Most trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, with an 8-inch screen on Limited models and a 9-inch screen on the RAV4 Prime. The infotainment system was user-friendly but not particularly flashy. The RAV4 lacked a head-up display on gasoline models, and while it didn't excite tech-savvy shoppers, it provided a straightforward interface for in-car infotainment.

The 2020 Ford Escape came with a comprehensive array 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 standard Ford Co-Pilot360 suite included 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 Toyota RAV4 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 bundle included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, and park assist, with a 360-degree camera system available in certain packages.