2020 Ford Escape vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

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 compared to 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 that balanced forward-looking design with practical controls. The test model included a fully digital instrument panel, a floating infotainment screen, and a sleek, contemporary design.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh, featuring new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille shared with the Atlas Cross Sport model. These changes added 6 centimetres to its length, giving it a more extroverted look compared to the conservatively-styled 2020 model. The R-Line trim package further enhanced its sporty appearance with unique bumpers and side skirts. Despite these cosmetic updates, the Atlas retained its boxy, high-riding utility vehicle design, with a drag coefficient of 0.34. The interior followed a minimalist approach, with a focus on functionality over decorative elements.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered a diverse range of engine options, setting it apart from its competitors. It featured a new three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, standard in the S, SE, and SEL trims. Additionally, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, available on the SEL and standard on the Titanium trim, 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 setup producing 198 horsepower. The conventional engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrids used a continuously variable transmission (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.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came with two engine options: a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-litre VR6 engine rated at 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Motion all-wheel drive. The driving experience with the base engine was underwhelming, with adequate acceleration but rough shifts. The Atlas's handling was truck-like, and its ride quality was poor, with every pavement imperfection felt in the cabin. The VR6 models offered a towing capacity of 2,267 kilograms, while the four-cylinder models were limited to 900 kilograms. Fuel efficiency for the four-cylinder models was rated at 10.9 litres per 100 kilometres combined, while the VR6 models were rated at 12.9 litres per 100 kilometres combined.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleeker design resulted in reduced cargo space compared to its predecessor. It offered 974 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 1,852 litres with the rear seats folded down. Despite this reduction, the Escape prioritized passenger space, providing ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers. The front seats offered commanding positions with good visibility. The Escape also featured numerous storage solutions, including deep water-bottle holders and multiple trays and compartments.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, designed as a family hauler, offered 2,741 litres of cargo space behind the front seats and 583 litres with all seats up. It provided more third-row legroom than most competitors, but at the expense of second-row legroom. The standard second-row bench seat was uncomfortable, with thin, flat cushions. Folding and raising the second- and third-row seats was straightforward, and third-row access was easy thanks to a sliding second-row bench. The Atlas featured a driver-focused layout, with controls placed within easy reach. It offered up to five USB ports and a wireless charging pad, along with up to 17 cupholders.

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 (HUD) with a flip-up screen, which was less effective for taller drivers. The latest version of Sync offered multitasking capabilities, allowing users to operate their phones while projecting on the car's display.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The base trim featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims received an 8-inch screen with satellite radio. Volkswagen's Digital Cockpit was available on higher trims, replacing analog gauges with a 10.3-inch digital display. The Atlas was set to receive VW's new MIBIII infotainment system later in the model year, offering multi-phone pairing, improved voice recognition, and a redesigned navigation system. The base audio system was decent, with an option to centre the sound in a specific row, while a 12-speaker Fender audio system was available on the Execline trim.

The 2020 Ford Escape came equipped with a full array of front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, and a tire-pressure-monitoring system. It earned the best overall score of Good from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) in all phases of testing. The Escape also featured Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of safety features including forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top "good" ratings in all IIHS crash tests, with a "marginal" rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA hadn't published ratings for the 2021 model, but the similar 2020 model received a five-star overall rating. The Atlas featured standard automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist available on higher trims. The Execline trim was set to receive Travel Assist and Emergency Assist later in the model year.