2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Ford Escape was a striking compact crossover, borrowing its large grille from the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks, with headlights inspired by the Ford GT supercar. Its design was more curvaceous than its predecessor, which came at the cost of some cargo space. Despite this, the Escape remained one of the most attractive small SUVs, trailing only behind the Mazda CX-5 and Jeep Cherokee. Inside, the Escape boasted a modern cabin with a digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen, maintaining a balance between futuristic design and practical controls.

The 2020 Ford Edge, introduced in 2006, was based on the Ford Fusion sedan platform, offering a car-like ride and ample cabin space. The second generation, updated in 2019, carried over to 2020 with a fresh styling that mirrored the Fusion's angular headlights and trapezoidal grille. Inside, the Edge showed signs of aging, with a layout unchanged since 2015, featuring awkwardly arranged climate and radio controls. Despite the use of soft-touch materials, the cabin's quality was undermined by hard plastics. The Edge was available in SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims, each offering a range of features from basic to luxurious.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered a diverse range of four engine options, including a new three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, standard in the S, SE, and SEL trims. The 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, available on the SEL and standard on the Titanium, delivered 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, providing brisk acceleration. The hybrid drivetrain, with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, produced 198 horsepower, while a plug-in hybrid model was optional on the SE, SEL, and Titanium trims. The Escape's steering was direct and taut, offering an athletic feel, with strong, responsive brakes enhancing its sporty personality. The most efficient version was the hybrid, with fuel consumption figures of 5.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.3 on the highway.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, with power routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Edge's suspension was designed to handle rough roads, providing a smooth yet engaging drive. The sporty Edge ST featured a 2.7-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, with standard all-wheel drive. The ST's steering was heavy, and its cornering capabilities were impressive, with a Sport mode enhancing the driving experience. The Edge ST handled like a smaller car, offering a thrilling ride.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleeker design resulted in reduced cargo space, offering 974 litres behind the second row and 1,852 litres with the rear seats folded, compared to the 2019 model's 1,925 litres. Despite this, the Escape prioritized passenger space, providing ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers. The front seats offered a commanding view, with good visibility and numerous storage compartments for real-world use.

The 2020 Ford Edge excelled in cabin layout, offering a commanding view of the road and ample storage compartments. The second-row provided generous head- and legroom, ensuring comfort without needing to adjust the front seats. The Edge offered 1,110 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded. This was more than the Jeep Grand Cherokee but slightly less than the Nissan Murano and Honda Passport. The SEL and Titanium trims featured a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

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 Titanium trim included a head-up display, though its flip-up screen design limited its effectiveness for taller drivers.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with Ford's SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with easy-to-use navigation and settings. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration were standard, allowing users to utilize their preferred maps app. The Edge also included two smart-charging USB ports and a rearview camera, with a semi-digital instrument panel available on the SEL and ST trims and standard on the Titanium.

The 2020 Ford Escape came equipped with front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, and a tire-pressure-monitoring system. It earned a "Good" rating from the IIHS in all phases of testing. The Escape also featured Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of safety features including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2020 Ford Edge included front and side-impact airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system was standard, offering automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL trim offered the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, adding adaptive cruise control and active lane centring. The Edge received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.