2021 Ford Escape vs 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid initially presented a bold and polarizing design, which over time became more familiar on the roads. Its distinctive blunt and bulbous nose, along with black windshield pillars, gave it a unique floating roof appearance. Despite its swollen haunches and cartoonishly-flared quarter panels, the Highlander’s design was expected to become tamer with time. The model offered various trims, with the hybrid powertrain available in LE, XLE, Limited, or Platinum specifications, ranging from $38,410 to $48,365, plus destination charges. The interior featured a two-tone look with leather upholstery in higher trims, but some details, like the instrument-panel shroud, felt cheap. The infotainment system was dominated by a 12.3-inch screen, which could suffer from reflections, and the mix of illumination colors gave the gauges a busy appearance.

The 2021 Ford Escape, with its fourth-generation design, straddled the line between SUV and hatchback. Its curved snout and sleek roofline made it resemble an enlarged Focus, yet it maintained the tall ride height of an SUV. The Escape’s design was less truck-like compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, but more generic than the Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage. For 2021, new appearance packages were introduced for three of its four trim levels, offering upgrades like 19-inch alloy wheels and leather-wrapped steering wheels. The interior, however, lacked cohesion, with odd design choices and low-rent materials. Even the top Titanium model didn’t come with standard leather upholstery, highlighting a disparity between exterior and interior quality.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid transitioned from a V6 engine to a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, achieving an EPA rating of 36 mpg in combined driving (35 mpg with AWD). The total output was 243 hp, with FWD as standard and AWD optional. The hybrid used an "E-CVT" to mimic an automatic transmission. While the new model improved efficiency, averaging 31.7 mpg in tests, it sacrificed driving enjoyment. The power was adequate but not thrilling, and the drivetrain sounded strained under acceleration. Steering was lifeless, though regenerative brakes were improved. The Highlander Hybrid handled well on smooth roads but struggled with body movement on uneven surfaces. Around town, it was quiet and comfortable, but overall, it lacked driving excitement.

The 2021 Ford Escape offered two gasoline powertrains, along with hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. The base 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine produced 181 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. An upgrade to the 2.0-liter turbo-four increased output to 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, available only with AWD. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid used a 2.5-liter engine with electric assist, totaling 200 hp. The plug-in hybrid’s larger battery allowed for significant electric-only driving. Despite the small engine, performance was adequate, and the hybrid transition was smooth. However, the chassis tuning left much to be desired, with sloppy suspension and steering. The 2.0-liter models could tow up to 3,500 pounds, but towing figures for hybrids were not specified.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited offered roomy and supportive front seats, with a 10-way power adjustment for the driver. The second-row bench seat increased capacity to eight but felt narrow for three adults. The third-row seat was uncomfortable, with tight headroom and limited legroom. Storage was less generous than previous models, with a smaller dashboard shelf and a wireless charger blocking access to the storage bin. Cargo space measured 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 84.3 cubic feet with seats folded. However, the lack of storage wells for securing items was a drawback.

The 2021 Ford Escape excelled in interior space, with top-tier headroom and legroom in the segment. A sliding rear seat allowed for adjustable legroom or cargo space, offering 40.7 inches of rear legroom in non-hybrid models. Cargo space varied, with gasoline models providing up to 37.5 cubic feet with the rear seat forward, and 65.4 cubic feet with seats folded. Hybrid models had slightly less space due to battery placement. Despite its car-like styling, the Escape compared well with traditional compact SUVs in terms of interior space.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The top infotainment system featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen, an 11-speaker JBL audio system, and a navigation system. The user interface was intuitive, with large knobs and shortcut buttons for easy access. However, the JBL sound system’s performance varied depending on music type. Additional features included Driver Easy Speak and a video rearview mirror for enhanced visibility.

The 2021 Ford Escape used the older Sync 3 infotainment system, with a base 4.2-inch touchscreen on the Escape S. Upgrading to the SE provided an 8-inch touchscreen and SiriusXM radio. The Titanium trim added a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. While Sync 3 was user-friendly, the Escape lacked some standard tech features found in competitors, and it missed out on wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included intersection support and emergency steering assistance. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard from the LE trim. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance had some inconsistencies, but overall, TSS 2.5+ was effective. The Highlander received a “Top Safety Pick” rating from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.

The 2021 Ford Escape earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and child-seat anchor ease of use. It received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision warning. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and Evasive Steering Assist.