2020 Toyota 4Runner vs 2021 Ford Escape

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner was characterized by its tall slab sides, high beltline, and short overhangs, contributing to its timeless design. Its utilitarian attitude was reminiscent of an XJ Jeep Cherokee, with flared wheel wells designed to accommodate off-road tires and short overhangs for tackling steep terrains. The hood scoop, a visual cue for the TRD trim, was one of the few non-functional elements. The 4Runner's trim lineup included SR5, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, TRD Pro, and Limited, with the Nightshade and Venture Special Editions adding a stealth aesthetic. Our test model, a Limited trim, aimed at comfort with leather upholstery and an 8-inch touchscreen, though it retained a utilitarian feel with plenty of plastic and a seating position more suited for trails than highways.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Escape straddled the line between SUV and hatchback, with a curved snout and sleek roofline giving it a less truck-like appearance compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. For 2021, the Escape introduced new appearance packages for its SE, SEL, and Titanium trims, offering upgrades like 19-inch alloy wheels and leather-wrapped steering wheels. The interior, however, lacked cohesion, with odd design choices and low-rent materials. Even the top Titanium model didn't come with standard leather upholstery, and dual-zone automatic climate control was only available from the SEL trim level.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission. This setup allowed for a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, though it was not known for fuel efficiency, with an EPA estimate of 16 mpg city, 19 highway, and 17 combined. The 4Runner excelled off-road, with its body-on-frame construction and advanced traction systems like Toyota’s CRAWL control and Multi-Terrain Select. The full-time 4WD system in the Limited trim was better for maintaining forward progress, while the part-time system in TRD models handled more challenging terrains.

The 2021 Ford Escape offered a variety of powertrains, including a base 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 2.0-liter turbo-four with 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard and AWD optional. The Escape also offered hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and electric assist producing 200 hp. The plug-in hybrid's larger battery allowed for significant electric-only driving. The Escape's towing capacity reached 3,500 pounds with the 2.0-liter engine, though Ford did not list figures for the hybrid powertrains.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner offered excellent outward visibility and a relatively tight turning radius of 18 feet, 7 inches. Inside, it featured large, chunky knobs for HVAC and stereo controls, and an 8-inch touchscreen. The tall seating position, aided by power-retractable running boards, provided a commanding view of the road. The 4Runner offered an optional third row of seats, though they were best suited for short and occasional use due to limited legroom and comfort.

The 2021 Ford Escape boasted impressive interior space, with first and second-row headroom and legroom near the top of its segment. A standard sliding rear seat allowed for adjustable legroom or cargo space, with up to 40.7 inches of rear legroom in non-hybrid models. Cargo space varied, with gasoline models offering 33.5 cubic feet with the rear seat up, expandable to 65.4 cubic feet with the seat folded. Hybrid models had slightly less space due to battery placement.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. While Toyota's proprietary system was user-friendly, the onboard navigation system was less efficient than smartphone alternatives. The 4Runner also offered Amazon Alexa compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, and various subscription services. However, it lagged behind competitors in terms of total features and usability.

The 2021 Ford Escape used Ford’s older Sync 3 infotainment system, with base models featuring a 4.2-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a built-in 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. Despite its ease of use, Sync 3 lacked the wireless capabilities of the newer Sync 4 system.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, and automatic high beams. It also featured eight standard airbags. The NHTSA awarded it four out of five stars overall, with three stars in the rollover test, while the IIHS gave it a "Good" rating in most crash tests, except for a "Marginal" in the small overlap front: driver-side test.

The 2021 Ford Escape received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests and high marks for front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA gave it 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.