2021 BMW X7 vs 2021 Ford Escape

The 2021 BMW X7 was a standout in the luxury SUV segment, often seen navigating the bustling streets of Los Angeles. It was known for its superior interior quality, surpassing that of the Cadillac Escalade, and boasted more prestige than the Infiniti QX80 or Lincoln Navigator. The X7 offered advanced technological features that outshone the Lexus LX 570 and had a commanding visual presence compared to the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Despite its impressive attributes, the choice of a luxury SUV often came down to personal preference, and the X7 was no exception.

The X7 was available in three versions, with the xDrive40i starting at $74,900, the M50i at $99,800, and the Alpina BX7 at $141,300. The test vehicle, an X7 xDrive40i, was equipped with 22-inch aluminum wheels, premium leather, and a trailer hitch, among other features, bringing its price to $91,745. The X7's design, characterized by its large grille, was fitting for its size and added to its appeal. Inside, it shared similarities with the X5, offering high-tech design and quality materials, though some features required getting used to.

The 2021 Ford Escape, with its fourth-generation design, straddled the line between SUV and hatchback, offering a sleek, car-like appearance. Its design was less truck-like than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, but more generic compared to the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage. For 2021, the Escape introduced new appearance packages for three of its four trims, enhancing its visual appeal with features like 19-inch alloy wheels and upgraded upholstery.

Inside, the Escape's design choices were less cohesive, with some materials feeling low-rent. Even the top Titanium model lacked standard leather upholstery. However, the Escape offered a spacious interior, with a sliding rear seat that provided flexibility in legroom and cargo space. Despite its car-like styling, the Escape held its own against more traditional compact SUVs in terms of interior space.

The 2021 BMW X7 xDrive40i featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and BMW's xDrive AWD system. The eBoost mild-hybrid technology added a 48-volt starter/generator and battery, enhancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. However, the X7's fuel economy ratings dropped slightly from the previous year, with 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The X7 accelerated to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, offering ample power. Despite its size, the X7 was smooth and serene, with features like the Dynamic Handling Package and Active Comfort Drive system enhancing the driving experience. However, its nearly 5,400-pound curb weight was noticeable, and the SUV's handling could be cumbersome on narrow roads. The eight-speed transmission was praised for its performance, and the M Sport brakes provided reliable stopping power.

The 2021 Ford Escape offered a range of powertrains, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The EcoBoost 2.0-liter turbo-four engine increased output to 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, 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 Escape's three-cylinder engine was adequate for an SUV, and the hybrid models offered smooth transitions between electric and gasoline propulsion. However, the chassis tuning left much to be desired, with sloppy suspension and steering. The Escape's towing capacity reached 3,500 pounds with the 2.0-liter engine, though figures for the hybrid models were not provided.

The 2021 BMW X7's interior was luxurious, with features like heated rear seats, ventilated and massaging front seats, and premium leather upholstery. Front-seat comfort was exceptional, and the second-row captain's chairs were also comfortable, though access could be challenging due to long rear doors. The X7 offered a four-zone climate control system, with an available five-zone system for third-row occupants. The third-row seat was surprisingly accommodating for adults, though accessing it required some maneuvering of the power seats.

Cargo space in the X7 was limited behind the third-row seat, but folding the seats down increased capacity to 48.6 cubic feet, and further to 90.4 cubic feet with the second-row folded. These figures were below class leaders, but the X7's focus was on luxury and comfort.

The 2021 Ford Escape offered competitive interior space, with near-top segment headroom and legroom in the first and second rows. The sliding rear seat allowed for flexibility in legroom and cargo space, with 40.7 inches of rear legroom in non-hybrid models. However, hybrid models had reduced legroom due to battery placement. Cargo space varied, with gasoline models offering up to 37.5 cubic feet with the rear seat forward, and 65.4 cubic feet with the seat folded. Hybrid models had slightly less space, but the Escape remained competitive in its class.

The 2021 BMW X7 featured BMW's Live Cockpit Professional digital instrumentation and iDrive 7.0 infotainment system, both with 12.3-inch displays. The iDrive system included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and enhanced SiriusXM 360L, along with Connected Package Pro for real-time data and WiFi hotspot access. Wireless smartphone charging and a natural voice-recognition system were also included, though gesture control was inconsistent. The head-up display was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses, but overall, the technology offered a user-friendly experience.

The 2021 Ford Escape used Ford's older Sync 3 infotainment system, with a 4.2-inch touchscreen on base models. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot were standard. Upgrading to the SE trim added an 8-inch touchscreen and SiriusXM radio, while the Titanium trim included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Bang & Olufsen sound system. Sync 3 was easy to use, but the Escape lacked some standard tech features compared to competitors, and missed out on wireless smartphone integration.

The 2021 BMW X7 came with standard safety technologies, with additional features available in the Driving Assistance Professional Package and Parking Assistance Package. The Driving Assistance Professional Package included features like evasive-steering assist and traffic-jam assist, which worked well overall, though some issues were noted with lane-maintenance technology. The Parking Assistance Package added semi-automated parking assist and a surround-view camera.

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