Compact crossovers are all the rage right now, and automakers are embracing this popularity by releasing redesigned models. Two recently redesigned compact models, the 2020 Chevy Equinox and 2020 Ford Escape, have tons to offer buyers in the Jacksonville area. Which is better for your family? Keep reading to find out.
Exterior
The 2020 Ford Escape is all-new and rolls in boasting a more rounded look than before. Why the dramatic change? Because Ford is scrapping all its traditional passenger cars not named Mustang and moving to an all-crossover and -SUV lineup in the coming years, so it needs the more hatchback-like look to keep car lovers coming to the showroom.
This look gives the Escape a unique design for the class without being too over the top. It will continue to feature the signature Ford grille with a mesh insert to sport it up a bit, but, unlike its Edge and Explorer siblings, there is no sporty ST version… yet.
The Chevy Equinox went through a revolutionary redesign of its own, but this was back in 2018, so buyers are used to it by now. The Equinox’s nose boasts a more aggressive look than the Escape with its harder lines around the grille and the slimmer headlights. From its profile view, though, the Equinox is very much a traditional crossover, which many buyers will prefer to the swoopier Escape.
Both crossovers start relatively simple in their base trims. The 2020 Escape’s base exterior features include 17-inch steel wheels with Sparkle Silver-painted hubcaps, active grille shutters, black-molded trimming, configurable daytime running lights, dual chrome exhaust tips, a black grille, LED taillights, and other basics.
The 2020 Chevy Equinox matches most of the Escape’s equipment, but it lacks the LED taillights. It makes up for this shortcoming with standard 17-alloy wheels and LED daytime running lights.
Breaking out the tape measure, the Equinox is 2.6 inches longer than the Escape but 1.5 inches narrower. Overall, the Equinox is lighter too, especially when compared to the Escape’s two hybrid variants.
| Measurement | 2020 Chevy Equinox | 2020 Ford Escape | Difference |
| Length | 183.1 inches | 180.5 inches | +2.6 inches |
| Width | 72.6 inches | 74.1 inches | -1.5 inches |
| Height | 65.4 inches | 66.1 inches | -0.7 inches |
| Wheelbase | 107.3 inches | 106.7 inches | +0.6 inches |
| Ground Clearance | 6.9 inches | – | – |
| Curb weight | 3,274 to 3,512 pounds | 3,298 to 3,884 pounds | -610 to +214 pounds |
Advantage: 2020 Ford Escape
- Shorter and easier to manage in traffic
- Newest design
- Standard LED taillights
Advantage: 2020 Chevy Equinox
- Looks more like a traditional crossover
- Narrower and easier to park
- Lighter and nimbler
- Standard alloy wheels and LED daytime running lights
Interior
Inside, the all-new 2020 Ford Escape ranges from simple to downright premium and everything in between. Overall, though, the Escape’s cabin is a clean setup with limited buttons and knobs, a dashtop infotainment screen, tons of horizontal lines, a rotary gear shifter, optional wood trimming, and more. It is a massive upgrade when compared to the previous-generation Escape.
The Equinox’s cabin is also fresh, as it went through its own comprehensive rework back in 2018. It has a more youthful look than the Escape with its swoopier dash lines, vertical air vents, and shiny accent pieces. Where the Equinox gets a big advantage is in-cabin noise, as its standard active noise cancellation gives it one of the quietest cabins in its class. Basically, it may not be as pretty as the Escape’s, but it is a heck of a lot more fun.
Speaking of fun, the Equinox has all the tech younger buyers want, even in its base model. The base Equinox L comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that boasts Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Wi-Fi, and more. The Escape S’ standard SYNC system seems very dated with a 4.2-inch screen and only Bluetooth connectivity – no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. To get more advanced smartphone integration, you must move up to the Escape SE.
Though it lacks in fun tech, the 2020 Escape leaves few stones unturned in standard safety tech. The base S trim comes with Ford MyKey, the SOS Post-Crash Alert System, automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, driver alert, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, post-collision braking, and a rearview camera.
The 2020 Equinox got tons of new standard safety equipment this year, including automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision alert, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, following-distance indicator, and forward pedestrian braking. It does, however, lack the Escape’s standard post-collision braking and blind-spot monitoring. These are available as options, though.
In terms of roominess, the Equinox wins, hands down, in front and rear legroom. The wider Escape wins in front and rear hip and shoulder room, plus it wins by a long shot in standard cargo room and by a hair in max cargo room.
| Measurement | 2020 Chevy Equinox | 2020 Ford Escape | Difference |
| Front headroom | 40 inches | 40 inches | +0 inches |
| Front legroom | 40.9 inches | 42.4 inches | +1.5 inches |
| Front shoulder room | 57.2 inches | 57.6 inches | -0.4 inches |
| Front hip room | 54.2 inches | 55.2 inches | -1 inch |
| Rear headroom | 38.5 inches | 39.3 inches | -0.8 inches |
| Rear legroom | 39.9 inches | 38.8 inches (40.7 inches max) | +1.1 inches |
| Rear shoulder room | 55.5 inches | 56 inches | -0.5 inches |
| Rear hip room | 51.7 inches | 53.3 inches | -1.6 inches |
| Cargo room (rear seats upright) | 29.9 cubic feet | 37.5 cubic feet | -7.6 cubic feet |
| Cargo room (rear seats folded) | 63.9 cubic feet | 65.4 cubic feet | -1.5 cubic feet |
Advantage: 2020 Ford Escape
- Wider seating area
- Tons more cargo room
- Very premium looking in its higher trims
Advantage: 2020 Chevy Equinox
- Tons more front and rear legroom
- Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 2.8-inch larger standard infotainment screen
- More youthful
- Active noise cancellation
Performance
Today’s crossovers must meet the varying needs of many buyers, which leads to a plethora of engine options. The 2020 Equinox went through a downsizing that dumped its diesel engine, but it still has two gasoline options: a 170-horsepower 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder and a 252-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Respectively, these engines help sprint the Equinox to 60 mph in 9.2 seconds and 7.2 seconds.
When the entire lineup hits showrooms, the Escape will have an incredibly robust engine lineup that starts with a 181-horsepower 1.5-liter turbo and 250-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder that sprint the Escape to 60 mph in 8.4 and 6.9 seconds, respectively. There will also be two hybrid options: a 200-horsepower traditional hybrid and a 209-horsepower plug-in hybrid. More details will be available on these later.
| 2020 Chevy Equinox | 2020 Ford Escape | Difference | |
| Standard engine | 1.5-liter turbo 4-cyl | 1.5-liter turbo 3-cyl | – |
| Horsepower | 170 hp | 181 hp | -11 hp |
| Torque | 203 lb-ft | 190 lb-ft | +13 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-spd automatic | 8-spd automatic | – |
| Driveline | FWD (std)/AWD (opt) | FWD (std)/AWD (opt) | – |
| 0-60 time | 9.2 seconds | 8.4 seconds | +0.8 seconds |
| Towing capacity | Not recommended | 2,000 pounds | -2,000 pounds |
| MPG City | 25 to 26 mpg | 27 mpg (FWD) | -1 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 30 to 31 mpg | 33 mpg (FWD) | -2 mpg |
| MPG Combined | 27 to 28 mpg | 30 mpg (FWD) | -2 mpg |
| Optional engine | 2.0-liter turbo 4-cyl | 2.0-liter turbo 4-cyl | – |
| Horsepower | 252 hp | 250 | +2 hp |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft | 280 lb-ft | -20 lb-=ft |
| Transmission | 9-spd automatic | 8-spd automatic w/ paddle shifters | – |
| Driveline | FWD (std)/AWD (opt) | AWD | – |
| 0-60 time | 7.2 seconds | 6.9 seconds | +0.3 seconds |
| Towing capacity | 3,500 pounds | 3,500 pounds | – |
| MPG City | 22 mpg | TBD | – |
| MPG Highway | 28 to 29 mpg | TBD | – |
| MPG Combined | 24 to 25 mpg | TBD | – |
| Optional engine | – | 2.5-liter hybrid 4-cyl | – |
| Horsepower | – | 200 hp (combined) | – |
| Torque | – | – | – |
| Transmission | – | e-CVT | – |
| Driveline | – | FWD (std)/AWD (opt) | – |
| 0-60 time | – | 8.7 seconds | – |
| Towing capacity | – | 1,500 pounds | – |
| MPG City | – | TBD | – |
| MPG Highway | – | TBD | – |
| MPG Combined | – | TBD | – |
| Optional engine | – | 2.5-liter plug-in hybrid 4-cyl | – |
| Horsepower | – | 209 hp | – |
| Torque | – | – | – |
| Transmission | – | e-CVT | – |
| Driveline | – | FWD | – |
| 0-60 time | – | TBD | – |
| Towing capacity | – | TBD | – |
| MPG City | – | TBD | – |
| MPG Highway | – | TBD | – |
| MPG Combined | – | TBD | – |
Advantage: 2020 Ford Escape
- Tons of options
- Quicker to 60 mph at each stop
- Better standard fuel economy
- Thrifty hybrid option
Advantage: 2020 Chevy Equinox
- Easier to pick what you want
- Smoother ride
Pricing and Features
The 2020 Ford Escape lineup has five trim levels – S, SE, SE Sport Hybrid, SEL, Titanium – and their starting prices range from $24,885 to $33,400.
There are four trim levels in the 2020 Chevy Equinox lineup: L, LS, LT, and Premium. Their starting prices range from $24,995 to $32,595.
2020 Ford Escape Key Features and Pricing by Trim
S: $24,885
- 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive
- Electric parking brake
- 17-inch steel wheels with Sparkle Silver-painted covers
- Active grille shutters
- Black-molded door handles
- Black-molded lower bodyside cladding
- Black-molded rocker panel
- Black upper window molding
- Black beltline molding
- Configurable daytime running lights
- Dual chrome exhaust tips
- Black grille
- Halogen reflector headlights with automatic on/off
- LED taillights
- Body-color liftgate door handle
- Body-color rear spoiler
- Molded-in-silver skid plates
- Variable-intermittent windshield wipers
- Fixed-intermittent rear wiper
- Center floor console with armrest
- Manual, single-zone climate control
- Steering-wheel-mounted controls
- Carpeted front and rear floor mats
- 4.2-inches instrument panel screen
- Three 12-volt power outlets (front, rear, and cargo area)
- Rotary gear shifter
- Cloth seating
- Six-way manual driver’s seat
- Four-way manual passenger’s seat
- 60/40 split-folding rear seat
- Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- Urethane steering
- Power windows with front, driver’s side one-touch down
- Power door locks
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi
- Remote lock/unlock/Ignition
- Ford Sync
- 4.2-inch LCD infotainment screen
- AppLink
- 911 Assist
- Two smart-charging USB ports
- Six-speaker AM/FM audio system
- Compass
- Remote keyless entry
- Ford MyKey
- SOS Post-Crash Alert System
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane-keep assist
- Driver alert
- Forward collision warning
- Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Post-collision braking
- Rearview camera
SE: $27,095
- All S features, plus
- Chrome upper window molding
- Body-color door handles
- Chrome grille surround
- Tinted rear glass
- 17-inch Shadow Silver-painted aluminum wheels
- Keyless unlock
- Electric automatic climate control
- Unique cloth seating
- Heated front seats
- 10-way power driver’s seat
- Rear center armrest
- Illuminated vanity mirrors
- Halogen projector headlights
- LED signature lighting
- Power, heated mirrors
- Manual-folding mirrors
- Body-color mirrors
- SYNC 3 infotainment system
- Enhanced voice recognition
- 8-inch touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto
- Two smart-charging USB ports
- SiriusXM radio
- Keyless ignition
- SecuriCode keyless-entry keypad
SE Sport Hybrid: $28,255
- All SE features, plus
- 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain
- Black upper window moldings
- Black beltline moldings
- Black mirrors
- Black grille surround
- 17-inch Ebony Black aluminum wheels
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- Spare tire delete
- Tire inflator kit
SEL: $29,255
- All SE features, plus
- 18-inch machine-faced aluminum wheels with Dark Stainless-painted pockets
- Fog lights
- Hands-free power liftgate
- Black roof rack rails
- Memory package for driver’s seat and power mirrors
- Sport Contour front seats
- ActiveX seating material
- One-touch up/down windows
- Remote ignition
- Reverse parking sensors
Titanium: $33,400
- All SEL features, plus
- 2.5-liter hybrid 4-cyl engine
- Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission
- Acoustic laminated glass
- Bright upper window molding
- Bright beltline molding
- LED fog lights
- LED reflector headlights
- LED signature lighting
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Mirror-integrated turn signals
- 19-inch machine-face aluminum wheels with Hark Tarnish-painted pockets
- 110-volt power outlet
- Ambient interior lighting
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- 12.3-inch digital instrument panel
- Sport Contour Bucket seats
- Leather-trimmed seats
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Navigation
- 10-speaker B&O sound system with a subwoofer
- HD Radio
- Universal garage door opener
- Perimeter alarm
- Active Park Assist
- Adaptive cruise control with stop and go
- Lane centering
- Evasive steering assist
2020 Chevy Equinox Key Features and Pricing by Trim
L: $24,995
- 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine
- Six-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive
- Automatic engine stop/start
- Electric parking brake
- 17-inch aluminum wheels
- Acoustic laminated windshield
- Active aero shutters
- Automatic on/off halogen headlights
- Black lower window trim
- Black mirror caps
- Body-color door handles
- Heated outside mirrors
- LED daytime running lights
- Spare tire delete
- Tire inflator kit
- 3.5-inch monochromatic driver-information center
- Four-way manual-adjust front seats
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi
- Six-speaker AM/FM audio system
- Active noise cancellation
- Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming
- Two rear charge-only USB ports
- Chevrolet Connected Access capable
- Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system
- 7-inch touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto
- Cruise control
- Illuminated vanity mirrors
- 60/40 split-folding rear seat
- Carpeted front floor mats
- Keyless open and ignition
- Manual tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- Power door locks
- Power windows with driver’s one-touch up/down and passenger’s one-touch down
- Premium cloth seating
- Chrome-trimmed shift lever
- Single-zone manual climate control
- Three-spoke deluxe steering wheel
- Steering-wheel-mounted controls
- USB data ports
- Teen Driver
- OnStar
- Rearview camera
- Automatic emergency braking
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Forward collision alert
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane-departure warning
- Following-distance indicator
- Forward pedestrian braking
LS: $27,495
- All L features, plus
- 16-inch spare tire
- Mechanical jack with tools
- Rear carpeted floor mats
LT: $28,695
- All LS features, plus
- Body-color mirror cars
- Bright lower window trim
- Deep-tinted rear glass
- HID headlights
- 4.2-inch multicolor driver-information center
- Eight-way power driver’s seat
- Overhead sunglass storage
- Power driver’s seat lumbar
- Rear seat release levers
- SiriusXM
Premier: $32,595
- All LT features, plus
- 18-inch bright machined aluminum wheels with Sparkle Silver pockets
- Chrome-accented door handles
- Chrome mirror caps
- Chrome roof-mounted side rails
- Fog lights
- Hands-free power liftgate
- Heated, power, auto-dimming side-view mirrors with integrated turn signals
- LED headlights
- LED taillights
- 120-volt power outlet
- Ambient interior lighting
- Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system
- 8-inch high-definition touchscreen
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Heated front seats
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Two-position memory for driver’s seat and outside mirrors
- Remote ignition
- Perforated leather-appointed seating
- Two USB ports in the center console
- One USB-A and one USB-C port in front console
- Universal home remote
- Wireless charging
- Lane-change alert
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear parking sensor
- HD rearview camera
Who Should Buy the 2020 Ford Escape
Do you need a crossover but prefer the looks of a hatchback? The Ford Escape is the perfect choice. It is also a great option for buyers concerned with top-notch fuel economy, as its gasoline models get better fuel economy than the Equinox and the hybrids are sure to crush these numbers once they complete testing.
Who Should Buy the 2020 Chevy Equinox
The Equinox is a great buy for younger buyers who want all the latest technology without blowing a ton of cash. Even its cheapest L trim features 7-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Escape doesn’t offer these until its midrange SE trim. The Equinox’s additional legroom also makes it better suited for taller families who need extra legroom.
Head down to Garber Automall serving Orange Park, Jacksonville, Fleming Island, and the surrounding areas today to test the 2020 Equinox for yourself and see what it can offer you. Can’t make it to our Jacksonville area Chevy showroom now? You can also navigate to our online inventory page, pick out a few in-stock Equinox models that suit your needs and schedule a test drive around your busy life.
