2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since the 2011 model year and received updates in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 version still felt dated. The front doors emitted a hollow "thud" when slammed, indicating a lack of attention to fit and finish. The instrument panel also appeared outdated, resembling parts from Toyota's 2010 lineup. However, this simplicity made the controls easy to use. The Sienna was available in multiple trims, including L, LE, SE, SE Premium, XLE, XLE Premium, Limited, and Limited Premium. The base L trim came well-equipped with features like 17-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, three-zone climate control, five USB ports, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay.

The 2020 Ford Escape, a compact crossover, boasted an attractive design with a large grille shared with the outgoing Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks. The headlights were inspired by the Ford GT supercar. The new Escape's curvaceous design came at the cost of cargo space but still ranked among the best-looking small SUVs. Inside, the Escape featured a modern cabin with a fully digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen. The Escape was available in S, SE, SE Sport, SEL, and Titanium trims. The base S trim included 17-inch steel wheels, a 4.2-inch instrument-panel screen, and Sync infotainment with a 4.2-inch screen. The SE trim added a larger 8-inch Sync 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Sienna offered stout acceleration in normal Drive mode, with a Sport mode for livelier throttle and shift response. It also had a manual mode, which was rarely used but could assist with its 3,500-pound towing capacity. The Sienna was primarily front-wheel drive (FWD), but all trims except the base L had an all-wheel-drive (AWD) option. The FWD Sienna returned 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while AWD versions returned 18/24/20. The Sienna's low center of gravity and broad base contributed to decent handling dynamics, although its twitchy steering response required constant attention at higher speeds.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered four engine options, including a new 3-cylinder engine making 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. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine was part of the hybrid drivetrain, making 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 continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Escape's most efficient version, the non-Sport hybrid, returned 44 mpg city, 37 highway, and 41 combined. The 1.5-liter turbo engine returned 27/33/30 combined, while the 2.0-liter turbo with AWD returned 23/31/26.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 150 cubic feet, surpassing competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. However, accessing this space required removing the second-row seats, which was easier with captain’s chairs than with a bench seat. The third row folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat could be challenging. Toyota also offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making the Sienna a practical choice for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleeker design resulted in reduced cargo space compared to its predecessor. It offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, dropping to 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 reduced cargo space, the Escape emphasized passenger space, with ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers and commanding seating positions for the front occupants. The Escape also featured numerous storage solutions, including deep water-bottle holders and multiple trays and compartments.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base L trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay. Other standard tech features included Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot with a 6-month trial. Higher trims, like the Limited, added navigation and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The Limited trim also featured Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system that broadcasted the driver's voice to the rear speakers, making it easier to communicate with rear passengers.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim featured a small 4.2-inch audio control screen, which looked out of place with the new floating screen design. The SE trim upgraded to an 8-inch Sync 3 screen, which included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Titanium trim added a head-up display (HUD) with a small flip-up screen, which was less effective for taller drivers. The latest version of Sync allowed for multi-tasking, enabling the use of different apps on the phone while projecting on the car’s display.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), which included lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, dynamic cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring was optional on lower trims and standard on XLE and Limited trims. The Sienna earned five stars in NHTSA crash testing and received Good ratings in many areas from the IIHS, along with a Superior rating for its standard driver-assistance features.

The 2020 Ford Escape came with a full array of front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, and a tire-pressure-monitoring system (TPMS). It earned Good ratings in all phases of IIHS 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.