2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Ford Escape presented a sleek and attractive design, drawing inspiration from the Ford GT supercar with its large grille and distinctive headlights. Its curvaceous design marked a departure from the previous model's upright rear end, which came at the cost of some cargo space. 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. Available in four trims—S, SE, SEL, and Titanium—the Escape offered a range of features from basic to luxurious, with the SE trim recommended for its value.

The 2020 Honda CR-V, in its fifth generation, maintained a familiar and fun design with curvy, car-like lines reminiscent of Honda's sedan lineup. Its exterior leaned more towards a station wagon look, defining modern family transportation. Inside, the CR-V's interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims. However, these clashed with some low-quality plastics, reminding drivers of its commodity car roots. The CR-V was available in five trims, with AWD standard on all but the base LX, and offered a range of features from fabric seating to real leather surfaces and panoramic moonroofs in higher trims.

The 2020 Ford Escape stood out with its 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 4-cylinder engine, available on the SEL and standard on the Titanium, delivered 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, offering brisk acceleration. The hybrid setup, with a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine, produced 198 horsepower, while a plug-in hybrid model was optional on the SE, SEL, and Titanium. The Escape's steering was direct and taut, providing an athletic feel, with strong brakes enhancing its sporty personality. The hybrid version was the most efficient, with fuel consumption figures of 5.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the city.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine standard across all trims, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. Despite the CVT's reputation for sluggishness, Honda's implementation provided a quick and responsive drive, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's car-like road manners were excellent, with nimble handling and minimal body roll. Its low curb weight contributed to its agility and fuel efficiency, with FWD models rated at 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres combined and AWD models at 8.1. The CR-V's performance was competitive, though it lacked a hybrid option in Canada.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleek design resulted in reduced cargo space, offering 974 litres behind the second row and up to 1,852 litres with seats folded, compared to rivals like the Honda CR-V. However, it prioritized passenger space, providing ample headroom and legroom, with commanding seating positions for the driver and front passenger. The Escape featured numerous storage solutions, including deep water-bottle holders and multiple compartments, emphasizing real-world usability.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space, matching the Volkswagen Tiguan in volume despite being shorter. It offered excellent head- and legroom, with a well-designed seating position for optimal visibility. The CR-V's cargo compartment was versatile, with a two-position load floor allowing for 1,065 litres of space in higher trims and 1,110 litres in others. Clever storage solutions, like a deep centre console and large door pockets, made the CR-V practical for everyday use.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim featured a small 4.2-inch 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 Escape's infotainment system was user-friendly, with the SE trim offering a good balance of features and value.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, they felt tacked on rather than integrated. The CR-V offered plenty of USB ports and a wireless phone charger in higher trims, but its infotainment system lagged behind competitors in terms of user experience.

The 2020 Ford Escape came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including Ford Co-Pilot360, which offered forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. It also included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as standard. The Escape earned a Good rating from the IIHS in all phases of testing.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured the Honda Sensing suite as standard, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It also included automatic high beams and, in higher trims, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The CR-V earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with some caveats for lower trims due to headlight performance.