2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 GMC Acadia

The 2020 GMC Acadia was positioned as a premium SUV, offering a range of trims from the basic SL to the luxurious Denali. Despite its upscale aspirations, the Acadia shared its platform and powertrains with other GM models, such as the Chevrolet Traverse and Cadillac XT5. The Denali trim, in particular, featured a distinctive design with a boxier grille and intricate detailing, aiming to convey a sense of luxury. Inside, the Acadia's cabin maintained a mix of soft surfaces and hard plastics, with some enhancements like electronic transmission shift switches and real wood trim in the Denali. However, the interior lacked standout features to firmly establish it as a premium choice.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford Escape presented a sleek and modern design, drawing inspiration from the Ford GT supercar. Its curvaceous exterior was a departure from the previous model's upright rear end, making it one of the more attractive small SUVs on the market. Inside, the Escape offered a forward-looking cabin with a fully digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen. The Escape was available in various trims, with the SE trim recommended for its value, offering features like an 8-inch Sync 3 infotainment system, automatic climate control, and heated front seats. The Titanium trim added premium touches like a dual-panel moonroof and a B&O audio system, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engine options, starting with a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for lower trims. The SLT trim introduced a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 230 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The AT4 and Denali trims featured a 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine, providing smooth and refined power. All engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and the Acadia offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. The AT4 trim came with a dual-clutch AWD system and all-terrain tires, emphasizing its rugged character. The Acadia's ride and handling were finely tuned, offering a comfortable driving experience, though it lacked a memorable driving character.

The 2020 Ford Escape stood out with four engine options, including a new 180-horsepower 3-cylinder engine standard in the S, SE, and SEL trims. The SEL and Titanium trims featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, offering brisk acceleration. The Escape also offered hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, with the hybrid setup delivering 198 horsepower. The conventional engines used an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrids employed a CVT. The Escape's steering was direct and taut, providing an athletic feel, and its brakes were strong and responsive. The most efficient version was the non-Sport hybrid, achieving 44 mpg city and 37 mpg highway.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered seating for five, six, or seven passengers, depending on the trim and configuration. The Denali trim featured 6-passenger seating with standard second-row captain’s chairs, providing comfort with 10-way power-adjustable front seats. The third-row seat was roomier than expected, though cargo space was limited to 12.1 cubic feet behind it. Folding the third-row seat expanded cargo capacity to 41.7 cubic feet, and with the second-row seats folded, it offered 79 cubic feet of space.

The 2020 Ford Escape, with its sleeker design, sacrificed some cargo space compared to its predecessor. It offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, which dropped to 34.4 cubic feet in hybrid models. Folding the backseat provided 65.4 cubic feet of cargo space, or 60.8 cubic feet in upper-level trims. Despite the reduced cargo capacity, the Escape emphasized passenger space, offering ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers. The front seats provided a commanding view, and the cabin featured numerous storage solutions for real-world use.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came equipped with essential infotainment features, including Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen offered a higher resolution display and improved voice recognition. The Denali trim included navigation and a Bose premium sound system. Additional technology upgrades included USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror, enhancing the overall tech experience.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim featured a small 4.2-inch audio control screen, but the SE trim upgraded to an 8-inch Sync 3 screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Titanium trim added a head-up display, though its flip-up screen design limited its effectiveness for taller drivers. The latest version of Sync allowed for multitasking, enhancing the user experience. The Escape's tech offerings were competitive, with the SE trim providing a good balance of features and value.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included standard safety features like a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. It offered blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning as standard, but advanced safety features like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking were optional on higher trims. The Acadia received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA in most assessments, but the IIHS provided incomplete data.

The 2020 Ford Escape came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced safety systems including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. It also featured blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Escape earned a Good rating from the IIHS in all phases of testing, showcasing its strong safety credentials.