2021 BMW X3 vs 2021 Ford Escape

The 2021 BMW X3, part of the third generation introduced in 2018, had undergone significant updates by 2020, including the addition of a plug-in hybrid model and M performance variants. This generation of the X3 was a refined version of its predecessors, offering a luxury level of refinement that BMW had previously struggled to achieve in its smaller SUVs. The X3's exterior resembled a downsized BMW X5, providing a sophisticated presence. Inside, the X3 featured a cold, mechanical interior styling typical of BMW, which, while not as visually appealing as the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, offered a more functional dashboard. The 2021 X3 was available in several trims, including the sDrive30i, xDrive30i, M40i, and the xDrive30e plug-in hybrid, with the high-performance X3 M covered separately. Standard features included 18-inch alloy wheels, synthetic leather upholstery, and a 10.2-inch infotainment system, with numerous options for added luxury and convenience.

The 2021 Ford Escape, a fourth-generation model, straddled the line between SUV and hatchback with its curved snout and sleek roofline, giving 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 for three of its four trim levels, enhancing its visual appeal with features like 19-inch alloy wheels and leather-wrapped steering wheels. However, the interior design lacked cohesion, with some odd choices and low-quality materials. Even the top Titanium model didn't come with standard leather upholstery. Despite these drawbacks, the Escape offered competitive interior space, with a sliding rear seat to adjust legroom or cargo space as needed. The gasoline model provided 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space, while hybrid versions had slightly less due to battery placement.

The 2021 BMW X3 offered a range of powertrains, starting with the sDrive30i and xDrive30i, both equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 248 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The sDrive30i featured rear-wheel drive, while the xDrive30i came with all-wheel drive, providing solid performance for city and highway driving. The xDrive30e plug-in hybrid delivered 288 horsepower and brisk acceleration, with a 17-mile electric-only range and recharging times of 3.5 hours with a 240-volt charger. For those seeking a performance edge, the M40i trim boasted a 382-horsepower twin-turbo inline-six engine, offering robust acceleration and enhanced cornering abilities. The X3 M performance model, with 473 horsepower, catered to speed enthusiasts needing family space.

The 2021 Ford Escape offered diverse powertrain options, including two gasoline engines and hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. The base engine was a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder from Ford's EcoBoost range, producing 181 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive. An upgrade to the 2.0-liter turbo-four engine increased output to 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, available only with all-wheel drive. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid models used a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 200 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid's larger battery allowed for significant electric-only driving. Despite the three-cylinder engine's modest size, it proved adequate for the Escape, though the chassis tuning left much to be desired, with sloppy suspension and steering. The 2.0-liter engine offered a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, though figures for hybrid models were not specified.

The 2021 BMW X3 excelled in interior space, offering up to 62.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, among the best in the small luxury SUV segment. With the rear seats in use, it still provided a generous 28.7 cubic feet. A power liftgate was standard, with an optional hands-free version available. The X3's cabin was spacious for all passengers, with ample headroom and legroom in the front row and adult-friendly rear seats. The driver and front passenger benefited from real buttons and dials, complementing the main touchscreen and reducing the learning curve for new users.

The 2021 Ford Escape, despite its car-like styling, offered competitive interior space compared to more traditional compact SUVs. It featured near-top segment headroom and legroom in both rows, with a standard sliding rear seat to adjust legroom or cargo space. Sliding the seat back provided 40.7 inches of rear legroom in non-hybrid models, though hybrid versions had slightly less due to battery placement. 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 models had slightly less space, with 30.7 cubic feet with the seat up and 60.8 cubic feet with it folded. While the Escape's cargo space was competitive, some rivals like the Nissan Rogue and Subaru Forester offered more.

The 2021 BMW X3 came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen running the iDrive infotainment system, known for its ease of use compared to other luxury systems. The combination of touch operation and the iDrive dial in the center console catered to different user preferences. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, with Android Auto as an option. Additional options included wireless device charging, a fully digital instrument panel, and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo system. Gesture control was also available, allowing basic controls through hand movements, though it could result in false positives for those who gestured frequently.

The 2021 Ford Escape used the older Sync 3 infotainment system, with base models featuring a 4.2-inch touchscreen. However, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot were standard. Upgrading to the Escape SE provided an 8-inch touchscreen with pinch-and-zoom capability and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Titanium trim added a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. While Sync 3 was user-friendly, the Escape lacked some standard tech features found in competitors and missed out on wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available with the newer Sync 4 system.

The 2021 BMW X3 came standard with advanced driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning. It also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, headlights that bend with the road, and a head-up display.

The 2021 Ford Escape received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with top "Good" scores in all crash tests and for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. It also earned high marks for front-crash prevention technology but received "Acceptable" and "Marginal" ratings for headlights, depending on the trim level. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Escape a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover crash tests. Standard safety features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, 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.