2021 Ford Escape vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar presented a balanced design, positioned between the sleek Evoque and the boxy Range Rover. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a unique profile, distinct from the traditional upright Range Rover. The Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end, while its short overhangs improved off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier elements, such as larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive look. Inside, the Velar offered a luxurious experience with high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel that was more suited to urban environments.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Escape straddled the line between SUV and hatchback, with a design that resembled an enlarged Focus. Its curved snout and sleek roofline gave it a less truck-like appearance compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. For 2021, the Escape introduced new appearance packages across its trim levels, offering features like 19-inch alloy wheels and leather-wrapped steering wheels. However, the interior design lacked cohesion, with some low-quality materials and odd design choices. Despite this, the Escape provided a practical and spacious interior, with a sliding rear seat to optimize legroom or cargo space.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar saw a significant performance boost with the introduction of the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, featuring a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite these impressive figures, the Velar was not the fastest in its class, with competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offering quicker acceleration. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, but its large size made it less agile on tight roads.

The 2021 Ford Escape offered a range of powertrains, including two gasoline engines and hybrid options. The base 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine produced 181 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, while the optional 2.0-liter turbo-four delivered 250 hp and 280 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid models used a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric assist, providing a total output of 200 hp. While the Escape's three-cylinder engine was adequate for an SUV, its chassis tuning left much to be desired, with sloppy suspension and steering making it less enjoyable to drive.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a middle ground in terms of size, larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. However, this did not translate to more interior space, with competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLC offering more legroom. The Velar's cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The avant-garde styling, while visually appealing, limited headroom and visibility, creating a claustrophobic feel inside. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models capable of towing up to 5,511 pounds.

The 2021 Ford Escape, despite its car-like styling, offered impressive interior space compared to traditional compact SUVs. It provided ample headroom and legroom in both rows, with a sliding rear seat to adjust legroom or cargo space as needed. The gasoline Escape offered 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat up, expandable to 65.4 cubic feet with the seat folded. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models had slightly less space due to the battery pack. While the Escape's cargo space was not class-leading, it was practical for everyday use.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. Despite high-quality graphics, the system was criticized for slow responses. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display, though the capacitive steering-wheel controls were prone to glare.

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 WiFi hotspot were standard. Upgrading to the SE trim added an 8-inch touchscreen and SiriusXM satellite radio, while the Titanium trim offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. While Sync 3 was user-friendly, the Escape lacked some standard tech features found in competitors, and it missed out on wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were a lower priority for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. However, Land Rover's driver-assist tech offerings were less sophisticated than competitors, with only basic lane-keep assist available.

The 2021 Ford Escape received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the Escape a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner 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.