2020 Ford Escape vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2020 Ford Escape was a striking compact crossover, boasting a large grille reminiscent of the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks, with headlights inspired by the Ford GT supercar. Its design was more curvaceous than its predecessor, which came at the cost of some cargo space. Despite this, 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 with a digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen, maintaining a balance between futuristic design and practical controls. The various trims, from the base S to the top-tier Titanium, offered a range of features, with the SE trim being particularly recommended for its value.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was praised for its clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative yet upscale aesthetic that promised to age well. It was notably large for its class, providing a roomy interior with ample space for four adults, and an optional third-row seat for additional passengers. The Tiguan's interior combined modern geometric forms with a straightforward control layout, though it was criticized for excessive hard plastic and flimsy steering wheel stalks. The SEL trim, tested with 4Motion AWD, was priced at $35,040, including destination charges, and offered a comfortable and spacious cabin with a focus on passenger comfort.

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. 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, with a plug-in hybrid variant also available. The Escape's steering was direct and taut, offering an athletic feel, while the most efficient version, the non-Sport hybrid, achieved 44 mpg city, 37 highway, and 41 combined.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. While adequate, the engine suffered from turbocharger lag, particularly noticeable during acceleration. The Tiguan's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to a perception of lethargy, especially when extra power was needed. The EPA rated the Tiguan at 25 mpg combined with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, though testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg with AWD. Despite these drawbacks, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking action, though it struggled with suspension isolation over rough surfaces.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleeker design resulted in reduced cargo space, offering 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row, dropping 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. While not the most spacious in its class, the Escape prioritized passenger space, offering ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers, along with numerous storage solutions for everyday use.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort, with large doors and tall seating positions for easy access. The front seats offered a wide range of adjustments, while the back seat provided excellent support and generous legroom. The Tiguan's cargo space varied depending on the presence of a third-row seat, ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, with a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet. The 40/20/40-split folding rear seat allowed for versatile cargo and passenger configurations.

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 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a range of connected services. While the system was an improvement, it had some user interface quirks and subpar voice recognition. The SEL Premium R-Line offered a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system, while other trims had a standard six-speaker setup.

The 2020 Ford Escape came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, and Ford Co-Pilot360, which included forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Escape earned a "Good" rating from the IIHS in all phases of testing.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL trim added lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist, while the SEL Premium R-Line included automatic high-beam headlights. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.