2020 Ford Escape vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

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 design was more curvaceous than its predecessor, which had a more upright rear end. Despite this change, the Escape remained one of the most attractive small SUVs on the market, trailing only behind the Mazda CX-5 and Jeep Cherokee. Inside, the Escape featured a modern cabin with a forward-looking design that retained essential controls. The test model included a fully digital instrument panel, a floating infotainment screen, and a sleek, contemporary design.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Trax maintained the design updates it received in 2017, which included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 2021 model saw the removal of the Premier trim, leaving only the LS and LT trims. The LS trim came with 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, and a 7-inch touchscreen with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system. The LT trim added features like heated side mirrors, remote start, and upgraded seating. The Trax offered several styling packages and optional driver assistance features, but its design was more utilitarian compared to the Escape's modern aesthetic.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered a diverse range of powertrains, setting it apart from many competitors. It featured a new 3-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, standard in the S, SE, and SEL trims. Additionally, a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-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 options, including a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a battery pack, producing 198 horsepower, and a plug-in hybrid variant. The conventional engines used an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrids employed a CVT. The Escape's steering was direct and taut, offering an athletic feel, and its brakes were strong and responsive. The most efficient version was the non-Sport hybrid, achieving 44 mpg city, 37 highway, and 41 combined.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Trax was limited to a single engine option: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, available in FWD or AWD. While adequate for city driving, the Trax struggled to deliver power for highway speeds and passing maneuvers. The ride was firm, often harsh over potholes and bumps, but the Trax offered solid maneuverability in tight spaces. Rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 provided more comfortable rides and were more enjoyable to drive. The Trax's engine was set to be retuned for the 2022 model, increasing horsepower to 155.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleeker design resulted in reduced cargo space compared to its predecessor. It offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, dropping to 34.4 cubic feet in hybrid models. With the backseat folded, the Escape provided 65.4 cubic feet of cargo space, or 60.8 cubic feet in upper-level trims. While this was less than some rivals, Ford emphasized passenger space, offering ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers. The front seats provided commanding positions with good visibility, and the cabin featured numerous storage solutions.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered respectable headroom and legroom in both rows, though the rear seats lacked bolstering for long-distance comfort. The front seats were supportive, and the cabin included multiple storage trays and low cupholder placement for convenience. The Trax provided 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The front passenger seat could also fold flat for larger items. These cargo figures were average for the subcompact SUV segment, and the Trax lacked options for a power liftgate.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim featured a small 4.2-inch audio control screen, which stood out due to its "floating screen" design. The SE trim, recommended by CarGurus, upgraded to an 8-inch Sync 3 screen 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 2021 Chevrolet Trax came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, praised for its easy-to-follow menus and vivid graphics. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

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 phases of testing. The Escape also featured Ford Co-Pilot360, offering advanced safety systems like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams, along with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star rating from the NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. It came standard with airbags and a backup camera, but additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection were only available in the LT Convenience Package. The Trax lacked many standard safety features found in rivals, such as forward-collision avoidance and automatic emergency braking.