2020 Ford Escape vs 2021 Volvo XC40

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, 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 and a floating infotainment screen, contributing to its sleek, contemporary aesthetic.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, in contrast, embraced traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning with the rest of the Volvo lineup through features like “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. The XC40 Recharge variant distinguished itself with a blanked-off grille and model-specific alloy wheels. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with high-quality materials such as Nappa leather and Nubuck textile. The design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents blending seamlessly. Volvo’s emphasis on luxury was evident, offering a quiet and comfortable ride.

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. A 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, featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, produced 198 horsepower, while a plug-in hybrid model was optional on the SE, SEL, and Titanium trims. The Escape's conventional engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrids employed a CVT. The most efficient version was the hybrid, with fuel consumption figures of 5.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.3 on the highway with FWD.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 offered 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Recharge, sharing its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featured one electric motor per axle, providing AWD and a combined 402 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque. The Recharge accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 6.4 and 8.5 seconds, respectively. The XC40 emphasized luxury, with excellent ride quality and the capability for one-pedal driving in the Recharge model.

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, or 1,722 litres in upper-level trims. Despite this, 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 Volvo XC40, both in gasoline and Recharge variants, offered no difference in passenger or cargo space. However, it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The XC40's frunk was small, with much of the space occupied by powertrain hardware. Despite this, Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the centre console and a bag hook in the glovebox door. The Harman Kardon system's speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. A wireless charging pad was optional, while a single USB-C port was standard.

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 latest Sync version allowed for multitasking, enhancing the user experience. The Titanium trim included a head-up display, although its flip-up screen design limited its effectiveness for taller drivers.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge introduced the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, featuring Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Recharge models also offered OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. The Recharge lacked a start button, instead requiring the driver to shift out of park with the key fob present.

The 2020 Ford Escape came equipped with a comprehensive array 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, a suite of safety systems including forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA for gasoline models. The XC40 included standard safety features like lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The Recharge model featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, capable of future updates for advanced driver aids.