2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since 2011 and received updates in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 model still felt somewhat dated, with occasional upscale touches. The hollow "thud" of the front doors when closed was a minor detail that highlighted its age, as did the instrument panel, which seemed to be from Toyota's 2010 parts bin. However, this simplicity made the controls user-friendly. The Sienna offered various trims, including CE, LE, SE, and XLE, each with distinct features. The base CE was well-equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. The LE trim added family-friendly features like sliding dual power side doors and easy-clean upholstery. The SE trim included a power liftgate and leather upholstery, while the XLE added luxury touches like leather-trimmed seating and a power moonroof. The Nightshade Edition, available on the SE trim, offered dark accents for those prioritizing style.

The 2020 Ford Escape presented a sleek and attractive design, sharing its large grille with the outgoing Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks, and its headlights drew inspiration from the Ford GT supercar. The new curvaceous design came at the cost of some cargo space, but the Escape remained one of the best-looking small SUVs, trailing only the Mazda CX-5 and Jeep Cherokee. Inside, the Escape boasted a modern cabin with a fully digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen. The Escape was available in four trims: S, SE, SEL, and Titanium. The base S trim featured 17-inch steel wheels, a 4.2-inch screen, and FordPass Connect with a Wi-Fi hotspot. The SE trim added an 8-inch Sync 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SEL trim included a hands-free power liftgate and synthetic upholstery, while the Titanium trim offered premium features like a dual-panel moonroof and a B&O audio system. CarGurus recommended the SE trim for its value-packed features.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Sienna's Sport mode enhanced throttle and shift response, providing stout acceleration, while a manual mode was available for towing needs. The Sienna's powertrain was front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) optional or standard on all trims except the base CE. The AWD versions were available only in a 7-passenger configuration, offering a unique selling point in 2020. The Sienna's fuel efficiency varied, with the front-wheel-drive model achieving 12.6 L/100 km in the city and 9.1 on the highway, while AWD versions returned 13.4 L/100 km city and 9.6 highway. The Sienna's low centre of gravity and broad base contributed to decent handling dynamics, although its twitchy steering required constant attention at higher speeds.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered four engine options, including a new three-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, standard in the S, SE, and SEL trims. The 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, available on the SEL and standard on the Titanium, produced 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, providing brisk acceleration. The Escape also featured hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, with the hybrid setup delivering 198 horsepower. The conventional engines used an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrids employed a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Escape's steering was direct and taut, offering an athletic feel, and its strong brakes enhanced its sporty personality. The hybrid version was the most fuel-efficient, achieving 5.4 L/100 km in the city and 6.3 on the highway with front-wheel drive. The 1.5-litre turbo engine returned 8.6/7.1/7.9 combined, while the 2.0-litre turbo with AWD achieved 10.4/7.5/9.1.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 4,247 litres, surpassing competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. However, accessing this space required removing the second-row seats, which could be cumbersome with the bench option. The Sienna's third-row seats folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat was challenging due to the awkward folding of the second-row seat cushion. Toyota also offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making it easier for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleeker design resulted in reduced cargo space, with 974 litres behind the second row and 1,852 litres with the rear seats folded. This was less than the outgoing model and competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. However, Ford prioritized passenger space, providing ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers. The front seats offered commanding positions with good visibility. The Escape featured numerous storage solutions, including deep water-bottle holders and multiple trays and compartments, emphasizing real-world storage over cargo capacity.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base CE trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay, a long-awaited addition for Toyota. Standard tech features included Bluetooth connectivity and five USB ports. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen, and the XLE Limited test model included navigation and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The Limited trim also featured Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system that broadcasted the driver's voice to the rear speakers, aiding communication with rear passengers.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim featured a small 4.2-inch audio control screen, which stood out as an eyesore in the floating screen design. The SE trim upgraded to an 8-inch Sync touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The latest Sync version allowed multitasking, enabling phone operation while projecting on the car's display. The Titanium trim included a head-up display (HUD) with a flip-up screen, which was less effective for taller drivers. Despite this, the Escape's tech offerings were competitive, especially in the SE trim.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, including lane-departure alert, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, dynamic cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on SE models and above. The Sienna earned five stars in NHTSA crash testing and received a Good rating from the IIHS in various areas, with its driver-assistance features earning a Superior rating.

The 2020 Ford Escape featured a comprehensive array of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, and a tire-pressure-monitoring system. While not tested by the NHTSA, the Escape received a Good rating from the IIHS in all testing phases. The Escape came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, offering forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.