2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 Honda Pilot

The 2020 Ford Escape was a striking compact crossover, borrowing design elements from the Ford GT supercar, with a large grille reminiscent of the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks. Its curvaceous design, while aesthetically pleasing, resulted in a reduction of cargo space compared to its predecessor. 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 control placement. The Escape was available in four trims: S, SE, SEL, and Titanium, each offering a range of features from basic driver-assistance systems to premium audio and leather interiors.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Pilot shared the dynamic styling of the Honda lineup, featuring thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille. Its design cleverly masked its size, giving it a sleeker appearance. The Pilot's cabin was spacious and comfortable, with a semi-digital instrument panel and a focus on practicality, though it used hard plastics in some areas. The Pilot offered five trims: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Black Edition, each adding features like leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and advanced tech options. The Pilot's interior was designed for family use, with ample space and thoughtful storage solutions.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered a diverse range of powertrains, including a new three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, standard on 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 Escape also offered hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, with the hybrid producing 198 horsepower. The Escape's handling was sporty, with direct steering and strong brakes, making it enjoyable to drive. Fuel efficiency varied, with the hybrid achieving as low as 5.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the city.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine across all trims, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It came with standard all-wheel drive in Canada, with a 6-speed automatic transmission on lower trims and a 9-speed automatic on the Touring and Black Edition. The V6 provided strong acceleration, though it wasn't the segment leader. The Pilot's ride was tuned for comfort, ideal for commutes and road trips, though it lacked athleticism. The Intelligent Traction Management System offered drive modes for various conditions, enhancing its capability in different terrains.

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, less than its predecessor and some rivals. However, it prioritized passenger space, providing ample headroom and legroom, with a commanding seating position 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 Pilot offered a spacious 8-passenger cabin, with optional second-row captain’s chairs reducing capacity to seven. Its third row was adult-friendly, with ample head and legroom. The Pilot provided 1,583 litres of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, competitive with rivals like the Toyota Highlander and Kia Telluride. Higher trims featured a power liftgate and hands-free power tailgate. The Pilot was designed for family use, with numerous storage spaces and features like a conversation mirror and CabinTalk for easy communication with rear passengers.

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 Sync system allowed multitasking, enhancing usability. The Titanium trim included a head-up display, though its flip-up screen design limited its effectiveness for taller drivers.

The 2020 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch Display Audio touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all trims. The system included a 215-watt, 7-speaker stereo with a subwoofer. However, the infotainment system's layout was confusing, lacking a tuning knob and relying heavily on touchscreen interaction. Higher trims added navigation, a rear entertainment system, and a 590-watt, 11-speaker premium audio system with a wireless charging pad.

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

The 2020 Honda Pilot featured the HondaSensing suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It also offered optional safety features like blind-spot monitoring. The Pilot received a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating from the IIHS, with a Superior score in crash prevention technology.