You can cruise in quiet comfort in both the 2020 Ford Escape and Chevrolet Equinox. These compact crossovers combine sporty agility with plush family-friendly transport, making them popular with a wide range of shoppers. Which is right for you? Our comparison guide has the answers.
Maximum Comfort: 2020 Ford Escape
The 2020 Escape is both longer and wider than previous models, giving you more interior space than ever. Indeed, this new crossover feels incredibly spacious. That’s especially noticeable in the front row, which serves up impressive hip and shoulder room. The rear seats now slide and recline – a feature your kids can make excellent use of during road trips.
Inside the Chevy Equinox, you also get lasting comfort, courtesy of the supportive seats. The front seats are nice and spacious and the rear seats offer great thigh support – something you don’t always see in this segment. However, we do wish the front seats’ lumbar adjustments were just a little higher.
Best Fuel Economy: 2020 Ford Escape
The Escape will help you save the most money on fuel. Depending on how you equip this Ford crossover, it’s EPA-rated for up to 30 mpg combined (27 city/33 highway mpg). The Equinox’s thriftiest powertrain only earns up to 28 mpg combined (26/31 mpg).
Punchiest Performance: 2020 Ford Escape
Perhaps surprisingly, since it also provides the most fuel-efficient ride, the Escape is also the sportier model. It offers two engine options, the more powerful of which is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated for 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. And this new Escape is 200 pounds lighter than before, making it easier to handle in a tight spot. Five driving modes – Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Snow and Sand – alter transmission settings for the best performance in your current surroundings.
The Equinox takes you down the more tried-and-true route. Like the Escape, it offers a punchy engine upgrade with the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. It supplies 252 horses and 260 pound-feet of torque for competitive acceleration. However, the Equinox doesn’t add any new drive settings or sportier handling measures for 2020.
Tech Star: 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
If there’s one thing Chevy is good at, it’s loading its models with an impressive array of standard tech features. Every Equinox includes a Wi-Fi hotspot, which offers a strong connection when your smartphone’s carrier connection is dwindling. The Android Auto and Apple CarPlay features display smartphone apps on the Equinox’s 7-inch central touchscreen.
You can equip the 2020 Ford Escape with a similar array of features. However, many features – like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – are optional on the base Escape trim model and only standard for the midgrade SE and up.
The Chevrolet Equinox might have plenty of standard tech features, but the 2020 Ford Escape is the ultimate compact crossover. In addition to providing a fuel-efficient commute, the Escape impresses with its sporty performance. Ford’s compact crossover is also the comfiest people hauler, making it a favorite of families and carpoolers alike.