2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 Mazda CX-30

During the 2020 Mazda CX-30's development, a decision was made to cover its lower perimeter with thick gray plastic cladding. This choice was widely considered a misstep, as it made the 18-inch wheels appear too small and gave the vehicle a perpetually lifted look. Despite this, the CX-30's overall design was praised, especially its luxurious interior above the midpoint of the cabin. Below that, hard plastic was prevalent, but this was expected given the price range. The CX-30 started at $21,900, with the Select trim at $23,900, Preferred at $26,200, and Premium at $28,200. All-wheel drive was a $1,400 upgrade, and the destination charge was $1,100. The test vehicle, a CX-30 Premium AWD with additional features, totaled $32,120.

The 2020 Ford Escape was noted for its attractive design, sharing a large grille with the outgoing Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks, and headlights inspired by the Ford GT supercar. The new, more curvaceous design came at the cost of some cargo space, but the Escape remained one of the best-looking small SUVs. Inside, the cabin was modern yet practical, with a fully digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen. The Escape was available in S, SE, SE Sport, SEL, and Titanium trims, with the SE trim recommended for its value. The Titanium test model featured unique 19-inch wheels, a dual-panel moonroof, and a premium B&O audio system.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 was powered by a smooth and refined 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 186 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 186 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Despite its competitive figures, the CX-30's weight of 3,408 pounds and lack of a turbocharged engine option limited its performance. The 6-speed sport automatic transmission, with paddle shifters in the Premium trim, made the most of the available power. The CX-30 offered 8 inches of ground clearance and an optional AWD system with off-road traction assist. While the CX-30's driving dynamics were less impressive compared to the Mazda3, it ranked high among small crossovers for driving pleasure. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 23.9 mpg in testing, with a smaller gas tank reducing its driving range.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered four engine options, including a new 3-cylinder engine with 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, produced 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, providing brisk acceleration. The hybrid drivetrain, with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, made 198 horsepower and was standard on the SE Sport and available on the Titanium. A plug-in hybrid variant was optional on the SE, SEL, and Titanium. The conventional engines used an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrids used a CVT. The Escape's steering was direct and taut, with strong, responsive brakes, giving it an athletic feel. The most efficient version was the non-Sport hybrid, with fuel economy of 44 mpg city, 37 highway, and 41 combined.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 offered ease of entry and exit due to its high ground clearance. Inside, the interior was upscale and elegant, with soft padding on the center console and door armrests. The driving position was excellent, with large, simple analog gauges. Cloth seating was standard, with simulated leather in Select and Preferred trims, and genuine leather in Premium trim. The rear seat was cramped, with limited legroom, and cargo space was modest at 20.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 45.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded down.

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 of cargo space, or 60.8 cubic feet in upper-level trims. Despite the reduction, the Escape emphasized passenger space, with plenty of headroom and legroom for second-row passengers. The front seats offered commanding positions with good visibility. The Escape also featured numerous storage solutions, including deep water-bottle holders and multiple trays and compartments.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 featured an 8.8-inch static display integrated into the dashboard, avoiding a touchscreen to improve driver focus. However, the controls were not always intuitive. Standard equipment included Bluetooth, HD Radio, Pandora, and Mazda Connected Services with a 3-year trial. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available in the Select trim, with satellite radio and a 12-speaker Bose sound system in Preferred and Premium trims. The Premium trim also included a head-up display.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim had a small 4.2-inch audio control screen, while the SE trim featured an 8-inch Sync 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. The latest version of Sync allowed for multitasking, enhancing the user experience.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Select trim added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning, while the Premium trim included adaptive front lights. The CX-30 received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS with Premium trim.

The 2020 Ford Escape included front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, and a TPMS. It earned a Good rating from the IIHS in all phases of testing. The Escape also came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which 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.