2020 Ford Escape
Part of the challenge in developing a great compact SUV is finding a balance between superb engine power and fuel conservation. You’ll need plenty of horsepower and torque to heft even a compact SUV, and that all costs fuel. Fortunately, Ford has managed to find that blend, giving drivers the option between engines that prioritize fuel conservation, and more robust builds that expand upon the delivery of performance.
The Engines and Trims of the Ford Escape
The 2020 Ford Escape is available in the S, SE, SEL, or Titanium, a bundle of trim options that provide some pretty impressive diversity across all lines. Packed into the S, SE, and SEL, you’ll likely find a 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine, which surprisingly enough has some serious kick, amounting to about 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft worth of torque. Coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive as standard, the baseline performance of the 2020 Ford Escape is commendable, especially when you consider that you’ll be getting around with an estimated 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.
All-wheel drive can be equipped to the Ford Escape, expanding upon the SUVs capabilities, even in the base model. That said, the 1.5L is far from the end of the line in terms of the Ford Escape’s degree of power. Spend a bit more cash, and you can upgrade to the Escape Titanium, which is equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost that’s estimated at 250 horsepower and 275 lb-ft worth of torque. The 8-speed automatic with this engine gets the job done, and Ford’s all-wheel drive option allows you to slip into different drive modes such as sport, slippery, snow/sand, and eco, all with seamless ease.
Towing Capacity on the Escape
Towing capacity is another high point for the 2020 Ford Escape. Towing tends to be where other SUVs fall a little short, as with such a small size, it can be difficult to haul anything of considerable size. The 2020 Ford Escape solves this with the punchy 1.5L able to tow a max of 2,000 pounds, and the 2.0L getting a top towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.
Escape Hybrid
To give the 2020 Ford Escape another point there is a hybrid powertrain to choose from, as well. The SE Sport and Titanium trims can be purchased with a hybrid motor. On the fuel side, the hybrid Ford Escape is powered by a 2.5-liter inline-4 engine and in terms of electric power, an electric motor, and a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack for power storage. The combined force of fuel and electric results in a pretty substantial 198 horsepower. And the addition of an electric motor gives the Ford Escape some serious fuel economy.
2020 Chevy Equinox
The 2020 Chevy Equinox is arguably a comparable vehicle with performance that does a decent job but still falls a little short of what the 2020 Ford Escape can deliver. For starters, the 2020 Chevy Equinox is available in a decent spread of trim options, including the L, LS, LT, and Premier. Base models of the Chevy Equinox do get a turbocharged 1.5-liter Turbo four-cylinder engine, and you’ll only end up getting around 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft worth of torque.
Front-wheel drive is standard, and the 6-speed automatic transmission is good enough, but you’ll have to spend a bit more cash to catch up to the 2020 Ford Escape. Unfortunately, even fuel economy falls rather short, as the highest mpg you can get is 31 on the highway.
What about a 2.0L on the Equinox?
Fortunately, the 2020 Chevy Equinox can be upgraded to house a larger turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that does a considerably better job, providing 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft worth of torque. The 9-speed automatic transmission does a solid job, too, and the option of an AWD drivetrain expands the Chevy Equinox’s capability and overall performance. At its best the 2020 Chevy Equinox can tow up to 3,500 pounds putting it in range of the 2020 Ford Escape.
Hybrid Equinox?
While the 2020 Chevy Equinox does a decent job in terms of performance, the lower engine specs, and the lack of any hybrid options make for a good but not great driving experience. However, there is more to an SUV than just the engine humming beneath the hood.
