2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 Subaru Outback

The 2020 Ford Escape presented itself as an attractive compact crossover, borrowing design elements from the Ford GT supercar, such as its large grille and inspired headlights. Its curvaceous design marked a departure from the more upright rear end of its predecessor, which came at the cost of some cargo space. Despite this, the Escape remained one of the best-looking 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 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 amenities like a B&O audio system and leather seating in the Titanium trim.

The 2020 Subaru Outback, on the other hand, focused on incremental improvements while maintaining its winning formula of utility, safety, and performance. Built on Subaru’s Global Platform, it offered a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The Outback featured a base 2.5-litre engine with 90% new parts, producing 182 horsepower, while the XT trims offered a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower. The exterior changes were subtle, but the interior saw significant upgrades, including an 11.6-inch touchscreen in all but the base trim. The Outback also introduced DriverFocus, a tech feature aimed at enhancing safety by monitoring driver alertness. Available in seven trims, the Outback offered a range of features from heated seats and keyless entry in the base trim to Nappa leather and ventilated seats in the Premier trim.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered a diverse range of engine options, setting it apart from its competitors. The base engine was a new three-cylinder unit producing 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, available in the S, SE, and SEL trims. The 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, standard on the Titanium trim, delivered 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, providing brisk acceleration. The Escape also offered hybrid options, including a 2.5-litre engine with a battery pack, producing 198 horsepower, and a plug-in hybrid variant. The conventional engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrids used a CVT. The Escape's steering was direct and taut, offering an athletic feel, and its brakes were strong and responsive. The hybrid version was the most fuel-efficient, with consumption figures of 5.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.3 on the highway with FWD.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an upgraded 2.5-litre engine with 182 horsepower, a 7-hp increase over the previous year, and a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine in the XT trims, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to a CVT, which Subaru tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, minimizing the typical droning and rubberbanding effects. The Outback's symmetrical AWD system provided consistent power delivery and enhanced stability, thanks to the boxer engine's low centre of gravity. With 22.1 centimetres of ground clearance, the Outback was capable of handling off-road conditions, although it wasn't designed for extreme off-roading. The upgraded X-Mode and hill-descent control in the Outdoor XT trim further enhanced its off-road capabilities.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleek design resulted in reduced cargo space compared to its predecessor, offering 974 litres behind the second row and up to 1,852 litres with the rear seats folded. This was less than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, which offered around 2,100 litres. However, the Escape prioritized passenger space, providing ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers. The front seats offered a commanding view, and the cabin featured numerous storage solutions, including deep water-bottle holders and multiple compartments.

The 2020 Subaru Outback, as a station wagon, excelled in functionality, offering 920 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,144 litres with the rear seats folded. The increase in cargo space was attributed to a wider rear wheel area. The Outback's interior was spacious, accommodating taller passengers comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom. Its design prioritized visibility, offering great sightlines in most directions, although the rear quarters had a notable blind spot. The Outback's low load height and lower centre of gravity contributed to better handling and reduced rollover risk.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim featured a small 4.2-inch audio control screen, which stood out as an eyesore in the modern floating screen design. The SE trim, recommended by CarGurus, upgraded to an 8-inch Sync touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Titanium trim included a head-up display, although its flip-up screen design limited its effectiveness for taller drivers.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen, which was visually appealing and easy to navigate. However, the system suffered from lag, affecting navigation, app usage, and even volume control. The camera resolution was also subpar, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the screen's size and layout were generally well-received, with some climate-control functions being less accessible.

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

The 2020 Subaru Outback's safety features were a mixed bag. While the standard safety suite and AWD system were commendable, the DriverFocus system was problematic, frequently issuing false alerts. Subaru's EyeSight system, although standard, was prone to deactivation due to obstructions like snow or fog. Despite these issues, the Outback maintained a strong commitment to safety, offering a range of features to enhance driver and passenger protection.