2020 Ford Escape vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2020 Ford Escape was a striking compact crossover, boasting a large grille reminiscent of the outgoing Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks, with headlights inspired by the Ford GT supercar. Its curvaceous design marked a departure from the previous model's upright rear end, which came at the cost of some practicality. 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 featured a modern cabin with a digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen, maintaining a balance between futuristic design and user-friendly controls. The Escape was available in four trims: S, SE, SEL, and Titanium, each offering a range of features from basic to luxurious, with the SE trim recommended for its value.

The 2021 BMW X5 exemplified BMW's renowned craftsmanship, maintaining the brand's signature design elements like the kidney grille and body shape. While this consistency ensured familiarity, it also risked blending in with other BMW models. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and a choice of xLine or M Sport styling, with the latter offering a sportier appearance. The interior, though similar to other BMW models, was well-crafted with leather and soft-touch materials, despite an abundance of black plastic. M Sport models added unique styling elements for a more aggressive look. The X5's interior was spacious, with comfortable seating and a well-organized layout, although some controls were difficult to differentiate at night.

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 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 setup, with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, produced 198 horsepower, while a plug-in hybrid model was also available. The Escape's conventional engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission, while hybrids employed a CVT. The most powerful engine in the Titanium trim offered ample power, especially on highways, with direct steering and responsive brakes contributing to a sporty driving experience. The hybrid version was the most fuel-efficient, achieving 5.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the city.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered several powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base xDrive40i model featured a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, with AWD standard. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8, producing 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, while the X5 M reached 600 horsepower, or 617 with the Competition Package. The new xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model delivered 389 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery providing up to 50 kilometres of all-electric range. The X5's driving dynamics were less engaging than expected, with steering issues at higher speeds and a lack of the connected drive experience typical of BMWs. The xDrive45e's fuel efficiency was rated at 4.7 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres when using both electricity and gas.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleeker 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 seats folded down. This was less than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, but similar to the Mazda CX-5. The Escape prioritized passenger space, with ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers, and a commanding seating position for the driver and front passenger. The interior featured numerous storage solutions, including deep water-bottle holders and multiple trays and compartments.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with well-placed cupholders and a wireless phone charging pad. The seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, though the front seats could feel hard after extended periods. The rear seats accommodated two adults comfortably, with an optional third row available. The X5 retained its split liftgate, offering full power functionality and a vehicle height adjustment button for easier loading. The cargo area was spacious without the third row, though the xDrive45e offered slightly less space. Moving children and cargo in and out of the second row was somewhat challenging due to the limited door opening angle.

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 latest version of Sync offered a user-friendly interface with multitasking capabilities, enhancing the overall infotainment experience.

The 2021 BMW X5 came standard with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was intuitive once familiar. Additional features included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, and a panoramic sunroof. Optional upgrades included a head-up display, quad-zone climate control, and premium audio systems. The wireless Apple CarPlay occasionally took over music operations unexpectedly, requiring a reset to resolve the issue.

The 2020 Ford Escape was 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, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2021 BMW X5 featured a robust array of standard safety and driver assistance features, such as blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package's adaptive cruise control system had issues with timely reactions to stopped traffic and lane-keeping in bright sunlight. The X5 received mostly Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to seven recalls.