The 2020 Ford Escape and Chevrolet Equinox are two popular compact SUV competitors. What are the similarities and differences? Here in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, our team at Keystone Ford, is here to help with that comparison.
Price = Comparable
Both the Escape and Equinox are reasonably priced with the Escape starting at $24,885 and the Equinox starting at $23,800, making either option a practical one for any family.
Size = Escape
Since both vehicles can seat up to five passengers, the biggest difference in size is found in cargo space. The Equinox has 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and if that seat is folded down, there is a max of 63.9 cubic feet of cargo space. In comparison, the Escape has an astounding 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back row of seating and an impressive 65.4 cubic feet of cargo space if the rear seats are folded down, making it the perfect choice for all your packing needs.
Fuel Efficiency = Escape
This category clearly goes to the Escape, getting up to 27 mpg City / 33 mpg Highway on gas models and up to 44 mpg City / 37 mpg Highway on their available Hybrid models. The Equinox has two engine options and only gets up to 26 mpg City / 31 mpg Highway.
Power = Comparable
In this category both vehicles fare about the same. They both have a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. However, the Escape does come with an 8-speed transmission, whereas the Equinox only offers a 6-speed transmission.
Comfort / Convenience = Escape
The Escape offers more front seat head- and legroom than the Equinox. Amenities like heated front seats and an 8” touchscreen can be found early in the Escape lineup, whereas Chevy requires you to upgrade to the most expensive trim before accessing them. Both vehicles have 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot capability that comes standard. The Escape and Equinox both have available features like the Wireless Charging Pad, Hands-Free Liftgate and Panoramic Power Sunroof that enable you to more fully enjoy each ride you take. However, if you are looking for an upgraded sound system, the Equinox only offers one that has 7-speakers. The Escape, on the other hand, offers a B&O Sound System with 10-speakers and a subwoofer to give you the full listening experience.
Safety = Escape
The Escape and Equinox both come standard with their own versions of safety features including--rear view cameras, electronic stability control system, head-curtain airbags, lane keeping system, and auto high-beam headlamps. Along with those and many other standard safety features, the Escape comes standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360™, a package of driver-assistance features that includes a Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert and a cool feature called Curve Control. Curve Control can sense if you are going too fast when approaching a curve and slow you down to optimize your control around the turn. While the Equinox does have similar safety features, they are only available as upgrades, rather than coming standard as in the Escape.
Adaptive Cruise Control and Park Assist Systems are offered for both vehicles as upgrades. The Escape adds Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering to its available Adaptive Cruise Control System. Ford also offers other add-on safety equipment such as the Rain-Sensing Wipers, Heads-up Display, and Voice Activated Touchscreen Navigation System enabling you to keep complete focus on the road.
Conclusion = Escape
All-in-all, the Escape and the Equinox are great vehicles. However, when it comes to a side-by-side comparison, the Escape easily surpasses its competitor in most categories. In the end, given that both vehicles have such a similar price point, get the most bang for your buck with all the added features of the Escape. Feel free to come down any time to test drive a new 2020 Escape; we will be happy to help in any way we can.