2021 Ford Escape vs 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2021 Kia Sportage had a distinctive and somewhat polarizing design. Its tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights might have reminded some of a frog, but Kia marketed it as “Euro-focused.” The compact two-row crossover SUV had a short wheelbase and minimal overhangs, making it particularly suitable for urban environments. The Sportage's external features included headlights carried over from the 2020 model and options for 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen display served as a stylish centerpiece, flanked by air vents and complemented by physical buttons and knobs for tuning and volume. Positioned between the front seats were two cupholders and the steering wheel bore Kia’s older logo. The interior, while not the most tech-forward or fashion-centric, was a pleasant place to be.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Escape straddled the line between an SUV and a hatchback. With its curved snout and sleek roofline, the fourth-generation Escape bore a striking resemblance to an oversized Focus rather than a traditional rugged SUV. This design gave the Escape a less imposing look compared to models like the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, or Toyota RAV4, but it also seemed more generic next to competitors like the latest Hyundai Tucson or the Kia Sportage. For 2021, new appearance packages like the SE Sport Appearance Package, SEL Stealth AWD Package, and Titanium Elite Package were available. Interior-wise, peculiar design choices like an angular instrument cluster didn’t complement the exterior theme, and the materials felt rather low-rent, even in the high-end Titanium trim which lacked standard leather upholstery.

The 2021 Kia Sportage came in LX, EX, or SX Turbo trims, all available with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The sportier SX Turbo trim boasted a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, delivering 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Each Sportage model featured a six-speed automatic transmission. As for fuel efficiency, the 2.4-liter FWD Sportages delivered 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined, while AWD versions yielded slightly lower numbers. Turbocharged models saw further dips in efficiency. The suspension setup, with McPherson struts in the front and a multi-link rear, provided a balanced ride, although steering felt a bit underwhelming and tire grip lacked compared to the engine’s potential. Nevertheless, the SX Turbo trim was especially enjoyable for those seeking a sporty drive.

For the 2021 Ford Escape, buyers had the choice of two gasoline powertrains, as well as hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. The base engine was a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder from Ford’s EcoBoost lineup, generating 181 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offering standard FWD with optional AWD. For more power, there was a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine producing 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, available only with AWD. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid models both utilized a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric assist, delivering a combined 200 hp, with the plug-in hybrid capable of significant distances on electric power alone. The Escape’s smooth engine transitions were praiseworthy, especially in hybrid models, though overall driving dynamics were hindered by the chassis tuning, resulting in a less engaging drive.

The Kia Sportage was on the smaller end of the compact crossover segment but provided reasonable interior space. The SX Turbo trim featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and an 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat, along with heated and ventilated seating. Rear passenger space offered respectable legroom and headroom, but cargo capacity was limited. With 30.7 cubic feet behind the second row and only 60.1 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded, the Sportage lagged behind competitors in terms of cargo space.

The 2021 Ford Escape, despite its car-like styling, competed well with more traditionally-styled compact SUVs. It offered ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The standard sliding rear seat, which could be adjusted to increase legroom or cargo space, offered versatility. Gasoline models provided 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, expanding to 37.5 cubic feet when the rear seat was slid forward. Folding the rear seats increased cargo space to 65.4 cubic feet. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, however, had slightly reduced cargo space due to battery placement, with a maximum of 60.8 cubic feet.

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen interface, equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and USB ports. Kia’s UVO Link connected services were available on most trims, with SX Turbo models also benefiting from wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The technology, although not groundbreaking, was user-friendly, making it accessible and non-frustrating for owners.

Meanwhile, the Ford Escape utilized the older Sync 3 infotainment system, with the base Escape S sporting a tiny 4.2-inch touchscreen. Despite the limited size, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot were standard features. Upgrading to the Escape SE trim brought an 8-inch touchscreen with additional features like SiriusXM satellite radio, while the Titanium trim added a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. Although Sync 3 was easy to use, the absence of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as fewer standard tech features compared to other competitors were noteworthy drawbacks.

Safety was a strong suit for the 2021 Kia Sportage, with an extensive list of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including forward-collision warning and pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control, known for its smooth operation. The SX Turbo trims earned Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS, complementing high safety ratings from the NHTSA across all trims.

The 2021 Ford Escape also received high marks in safety. The IIHS awarded it a “Top Safety Pick” rating, lauding its front-crash prevention technology but giving mixed ratings for its headlights. The NHTSA bestowed a five-star overall safety rating, with top marks in frontal and side crash tests, though with a slightly lower score in rollover 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 features like adaptive cruise control with advanced functionalities, traffic-sign recognition, park assist, and Evasive Steering Assist for enhanced emergency maneuvering.