2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs 2021 Ford Escape

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, known for its iconic boxy design, was a blend of ruggedness and luxury. Its straight-edged, two-box design was a nod to its military origins, yet it had become a status symbol among the elite. The G-Class offered a retro exterior that stood out in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, with a hand-built construction in Graz, Austria. Inside, the G-Class featured a sophisticated design with a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment screen and a matching virtual instrument panel, allowing for a customizable and ambient cabin experience. Despite its luxurious appeal, the G-Class retained its off-road capabilities, making it a versatile choice for both urban and adventurous settings.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Escape presented a more modern, car-like appearance, straddling the line between an SUV and a hatchback. Its sleek roofline and curved front gave it a less truck-like look compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. The Escape offered new appearance packages for 2021, enhancing its aesthetic appeal with options like 19-inch alloy wheels and upgraded upholstery. However, the interior design choices were less cohesive, with some materials feeling low-rent. Despite this, the Escape provided a practical and spacious interior, making it a competitive option in the compact SUV segment.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class was a powerhouse, particularly the G550 model, which boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine producing 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and permanent four-wheel drive, allowed the G550 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. The G-Class featured a robust suspension system, including double-wishbone independent front suspension and a rigid rear axle, providing a smooth ride on various terrains. The G63 variant took performance to another level with 577 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Despite its impressive capabilities, the G-Class had a fuel economy of 13 mpg city/19 mpg highway for the G550 and 13/16 for the G63.

The 2021 Ford Escape offered a range of powertrains, including two gasoline engines and hybrid options. The base 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine delivered 181 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, while the 2.0-liter turbo-four engine increased output to 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the 2.0-liter engine available only with all-wheel drive. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid models used a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric assist, providing a total output of 200 hp. The Escape's towing capacity reached up to 3,500 pounds with the 2.0-liter engine, although the hybrid models offered less towing capability. While the Escape's powertrains were adequate, its chassis tuning left room for improvement, with a less engaging driving experience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class was not only luxurious but also practical, offering 38.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up to 68.6 cubic feet with the second row folded. It had a payload capacity of over 1,000 pounds and could tow up to 7,700 pounds. The G-Class featured a spacious front cabin with ample storage and a tall roofline, providing excellent headroom. The second row accommodated three adults comfortably, with a 60/40 split-folding seatback. However, some luxury features, like ventilated front seats, were only available in expensive packages.

The 2021 Ford Escape excelled in interior space, with near-top segment headroom and legroom in both rows. Its sliding rear seat allowed for adjustable legroom or cargo space, offering 40.7 inches of rear legroom in non-hybrid models. The gasoline Escape provided 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat up, expandable to 65.4 cubic feet with the seat folded. Hybrid models had slightly less space due to battery placement. While the Escape offered competitive interior space, some rivals provided more cargo capacity.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class impressed with its twin 12.3-inch HD screens for the instrument panel and infotainment system. These customizable screens, combined with ambient lighting and a Burmester Surround Sound system, created an immersive experience. The G-Class featured the latest COMAND system with unique Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel, offering advanced functionality. Standard tech included WiFi, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, although wireless charging was absent.

The 2021 Ford Escape used Ford's older Sync 3 infotainment system, with base models featuring a 4.2-inch touchscreen. Upgrading to the SE trim provided an 8-inch touchscreen with SiriusXM, while the Titanium trim added a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. Sync 3 was user-friendly, but the Escape lacked some standard tech features found in competitors, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class offered a range of standard safety features, including a rearview camera, Pre-Safe, active lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. However, its size and weight required responsible driving to avoid potential hazards to pedestrians and cyclists. The G-Class had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA for crash-worthiness.

The 2021 Ford Escape received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features.