2020 Ford Escape vs 2019 Toyota RAV4

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 presented a bold and aggressive exterior design, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tacoma pickup. Its chunky build and sharp edges gave it a futuristic and robust appearance, with taillights reminiscent of Toyota's luxury brand, Lexus. The design included a character line on the rear C-pillar, which was a common trait among new vehicles, though not always visually appealing. The RAV4 offered both monotone and two-tone colour options, with the latter featuring a contrasting roof that complemented the design. Inside, the RAV4's cabin was surprisingly simple and elegant, with a floating touchscreen and a well-organized control pod.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford Escape boasted a sleek and attractive design, with a large grille shared with the outgoing Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks, and headlights inspired by the Ford GT supercar. The new curvaceous design came at the cost of some cargo space, but it remained one of the best-looking small SUVs. Inside, the Escape featured a modern cabin with a fully digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen. The design was forward-looking yet practical, keeping basic controls easily accessible. The Escape's interior was both stylish and functional, offering a comfortable and confident driving experience.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with power routed to either the front wheels or available all-wheel drive (AWD). The RAV4 offered two AWD options: a base version and a more advanced torque-vectoring AWD, standard on the Trail and Limited trims. The base AWD provided Snow, Sand & Mud, and Rock & Dirt drive modes, while the torque-vectoring AWD could distribute power to the wheels in real-time, enhancing off-road capability. The RAV4's engine performed well on highways but lacked low-end power, making it feel sluggish in stop-and-go traffic. The ride quality was generally good, though the steering felt twitchy, and there was noticeable body roll.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered a diverse range of engine options, including a new three-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, standard in the S, SE, and SEL trims. The Escape also featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, available on the SEL and standard on the Titanium trim. Additionally, the Escape offered hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The turbo engine provided brisk acceleration, while the hybrid setup delivered 198 horsepower. The Escape's steering was direct and taut, with strong, responsive brakes, giving it an athletic feel. The most efficient version was the hybrid, with impressive fuel consumption figures.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4's cabin was designed for practicality and style, offering ample cargo space and comfortable seating. The centre stack featured climate controls, a large tray for small items, drive-mode controls, and a compact shifter. The RAV4 provided 1,064 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up, expanding to 1,976 litres when folded. While slightly less than the previous model, it still surpassed competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Jeep Cherokee. The RAV4's interior was functional, with deep centre-console trays, door bins, and a hidden tray above the glove box.

The 2020 Ford Escape, with its sleeker design, sacrificed some cargo space for style. It offered 974 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 1,852 litres with the seats folded, or 1,722 litres in upper trims. While less than the previous model and some rivals, the Escape prioritized passenger space. The second row provided ample headroom and legroom, while the front seats offered a commanding view. The Escape featured numerous storage solutions, including deep water-bottle holders and multiple trays, emphasizing real-world functionality.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 LE came with a 7-inch touchscreen running Entune 3.0, offering Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto. The XLE trim added multiple USB ports, while the Trail trim featured an upgraded 7-inch instrument panel display and an optional 8-inch Entune screen. The Limited trim offered an optional JBL premium audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a simple layout and real dials for volume and tuning, blending touchscreen functions with physical controls.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim featured a small 4.2-inch audio control screen, while the SE trim upgraded to an 8-inch Sync touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The latest Sync version allowed multitasking, enhancing the user experience. The Titanium trim included a head-up display (HUD) with a flip-up screen, though it was less effective for taller drivers. The Escape's infotainment system was modern and functional, providing a seamless integration of technology.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, a backup camera, traction control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 was also standard, offering forward-collision warning, emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beams, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were included, along with Lane-Tracing Assist for lane centring.

The 2020 Ford Escape featured a full array of airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. It received a Good rating from the IIHS in all testing phases. The Escape came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of safety features including forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. These features were often optional in other vehicles, making the Escape a standout in safety.