2021 Ford Escape vs 2020 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Volvo XC90 showcased a pinnacle of modern Volvo design, proving that a large SUV could be as aesthetically pleasing as a sleek sedan. The R-Design trim featured blacked-out, honeycomb grille treatments, black window surrounds, and 22-inch rims, adding a touch of elegance to its already handsome figure. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and curving LED taillights were distinctive, while the Thunder Grey Metallic paint contrasted beautifully with the beige-leather and aluminum interior. The XC90's interior was a testament to Volvo's craftsmanship, with options like wool fabric seats and matte wood trim, and seats that offered power-adjustable thigh extensions and optional massage.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Escape had a more car-like appearance, with a curved snout and sleek roofline that made it look like an enlarged Focus. It offered new appearance packages for various trims, including the SE Sport Appearance Package, SEL Stealth AWD Package, and Titanium Elite Package, which added features like 19-inch alloy wheels and leather-wrapped steering wheels. However, the interior design lacked cohesion, with odd choices like an angular instrument cluster and low-rent materials. Even the top Titanium model didn't come with standard leather upholstery, making the interior feel less premium.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which felt insufficient for such a heavy vehicle. The T6 model, with a supercharger added, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, making it more suitable for fast-flowing traffic. The Polestar tune upgrade boosted these numbers to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. However, the XC90's fuel economy was unimpressive, averaging 20 mpg over 800 miles. The T8 plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque but didn't feel significantly faster than the T6 and had limited electric range.

The 2021 Ford Escape came with two gasoline powertrains and hybrid options. The base 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine produced 181 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The upgraded 2.0-liter turbo-four engine delivered 250 hp and 280 lb-ft, available only with AWD. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid models used a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric assist, producing 200 hp. The plug-in hybrid could drive significant distances on electric power alone. However, the Escape's chassis tuning left much to be desired, with sloppy suspension and steering making it less enjoyable to drive.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system was faster and more responsive than previous models, though it placed all climate controls within the touchscreen. The cabin layout was stellar, with seven seats standard and an optional integrated booster cushion for young children. The first and second rows offered generous legroom and comfort, while the third row was tight and suitable only for small children. Cargo space was up to 85.7 cubic feet with the last two rows folded, and sightlines from the driver's seat were excellent.

The 2021 Ford Escape offered competitive interior space, with near-top segment headroom and legroom in the first and second rows. The standard sliding rear seat could be moved to expand legroom or cargo space, yielding 40.7 inches of rear legroom in non-hybrid models. Cargo space was 33.5 cubic feet with the rear seat up, expanding to 37.5 cubic feet when slid forward. Folding the rear seat provided 65.4 cubic feet of cargo space in gasoline models. However, hybrid and plug-in hybrid models had less space due to the battery pack placement.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The R-Design trim featured a phenomenal Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power. The portrait-oriented touchscreen made navigation easier, though onboard apps were slow to load. The instrument panel could be reskinned but lacked major reconfiguration options.

The 2021 Ford Escape used the older Sync 3 infotainment system, with the base S model getting 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. The Titanium trim included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. However, the Escape missed out on the wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available with the newer Sync 4 system.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though the latter's headlight test lowered its rating to a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, a driver-attention monitor, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in its use of high-strength steels and curtain airbags that remained inflated during rollovers.

The 2021 Ford Escape earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA gave it 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, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, park assist, and Evasive Steering Assist.