2020 GMC Acadia vs 2021 Ford Escape

The 2020 GMC Acadia was positioned as a premium SUV, sitting between Chevrolet and Cadillac in terms of luxury. Despite sharing its platform and powertrains with the Chevrolet Blazer and Traverse, as well as the Cadillac XT5, the Acadia aimed to offer a distinct "professional grade" appeal. The Denali trim, in particular, showcased upscale aspirations with its Satin Steel Metallic paint and Technology Package, priced at $52,385. The design updates for 2020 were most evident in the front, with a boxier grille and squared-off headlights, while the interior saw minor changes like new electronic transmission shift switches and open-pore wood trim in the Denali model. However, the cabin's mix of materials and lack of standout premium features left it feeling less luxurious than expected.

The 2021 Ford Escape, with its fourth-generation design, blurred the lines between SUV and hatchback, offering a sleek, car-like appearance. Its curved snout and sleek roofline gave it a less truck-like look compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. For 2021, the Escape introduced new appearance packages across its trim levels, enhancing its visual appeal with features like 19-inch alloy wheels and leather-wrapped steering wheels. Inside, the Escape's design choices were less cohesive, with an angular instrument cluster that didn't quite match the exterior's sleekness. Interior materials were considered low-rent, and even the top Titanium model lacked standard leather upholstery, though it did offer ambient lighting.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engine options, starting with a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder for lower trims. The SLT trim introduced a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 230 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The AT4 and Denali trims featured a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Acadia was available in both FWD and AWD, with the AT4 trim offering a dual-clutch AWD system as standard. The V6 engine provided smooth and refined power, with a towing capacity of up to 4,000 pounds. The test vehicle averaged 20.1 mpg in FWD mode, slightly below the EPA rating of 21 mpg combined. The Acadia's ride and handling were finely tuned, though its driving character was considered forgettable.

The 2021 Ford Escape offered a range of powertrains, including a base 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. An optional 2.0-liter turbo-four engine delivered 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, available only with AWD. The Escape also featured hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, both using a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric assist, producing 200 hp. The plug-in hybrid's larger battery allowed for significant electric-only driving. The Escape's chassis tuning was criticized for its sloppy suspension and steering, making it less enjoyable to drive. The 2.0-liter engine offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, though figures for the hybrid models were not provided.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered seating for five, six, or seven passengers, with the Denali trim featuring standard second-row captain's chairs. The front seats were wide and supportive, with 10-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The second-row captain's chairs were also heated, providing comfort for rear passengers, who had access to air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a power outlet. 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 space to 41.7 cubic feet, with a maximum of 79 cubic feet available with the second-row seats folded.

The 2021 Ford Escape offered competitive interior space, with first and second-row headroom and legroom near the top of the segment. A sliding rear seat allowed for adjustable legroom or cargo space, with 40.7 inches of rear legroom available in non-hybrid models. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models had slightly reduced legroom due to battery placement. The gasoline Escape offered 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat up, expandable to 37.5 cubic feet by sliding the seat forward. Folding the rear seat provided 65.4 cubic feet of cargo space, though competitors like the Nissan Rogue and Subaru Forester offered more.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came equipped with popular infotainment features, including Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Models with an 8-inch touchscreen featured a higher resolution display and improved voice recognition. The test vehicle included navigation and a Bose premium sound system, with voice-recognition technology performing well. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with additional technology upgrades like USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Ford Escape used the older Sync 3 infotainment system, with base models featuring a 4.2-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot were standard. Upgrading to the SE trim added an 8-inch touchscreen and SiriusXM satellite radio, while the Titanium trim included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. Sync 3 was easy to use, though it lacked some standard tech features found in competitors and missed out on wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included standard safety features like a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. Base models had blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning, but advanced features like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking required upgrading to higher trims. The NHTSA gave the Acadia five-star ratings in most assessments, with a four-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS provided high marks in some tests but lacked complete data.

The 2021 Ford Escape received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and for LATCH anchor ease of use. It earned high marks for front-crash prevention but had mixed ratings for headlights. The NHTSA awarded the Escape a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and park assist.