2020 Ford Escape vs 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid distinguished itself from its conventionally powered siblings with unique visual elements. It featured bright gray inserts along the sides and front lower bumper, as well as blue frames around the upgraded headlight clusters. The exclusive "Lagoon Blue" color added to its eye-catching appeal. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid boasted blue inserts and two-tone leather seats with blue contrast stitching, all standard. Despite its well-equipped nature, the Crosstrek Hybrid had to compensate for reduced rear cargo space due to the battery placement, offering a higher cargo floor than the conventional model.

The 2020 Ford Escape presented a sleek and modern design, sharing its large grille with the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks, and drawing inspiration from the Ford GT supercar for its headlights. The interior was modern yet practical, featuring a fully digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen. The Escape was available in multiple trims, each offering a range of features from basic to luxurious. The Titanium trim, in particular, stood out with its unique 19-inch wheels, dual-panel moonroof, and premium B&O audio system, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a blend of style and functionality.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a gas-electric powertrain with a 2.0-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 134 pound-feet of torque. It utilized a CVT and two electric motors, with an 8.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The all-wheel-drive system was integrated before the drivetrain split, offering traditional AWD composure. The plug-in system allowed for a 17-mile electric-only range, with a full charge taking five hours on a 120-volt outlet or two hours on a 240-volt station. Despite its capabilities, the Crosstrek Hybrid's acceleration was underwhelming, and the added weight affected handling. However, it excelled in off-road conditions with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and X-Mode with hill-descent control. The EPA rated it at 90 MPGe, with a combined 35 mpg on gas.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered four engine options, including a 3-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, standard in the S, SE, and SEL trims. The 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, available on the SEL and standard on the Titanium, delivered 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, providing brisk acceleration. The hybrid setup, with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, produced 198 horsepower, while a plug-in hybrid variant was optional. The Escape's steering was direct and taut, offering an athletic feel, and the brakes were strong and responsive. The most efficient version was the non-Sport hybrid, with a combined fuel economy of 41 mpg.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured an electronic emergency-brake toggle, allowing for a more spacious front console layout. The interior offered a commanding driving position and decent rear seat space, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. However, the cargo area was limited to 41 cubic feet due to the battery pack, compared to 55 cubic feet in the gas-powered Crosstrek.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleek design resulted in reduced cargo space, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 34.4 cubic feet in hybrid models. Folding the backseat provided 65.4 cubic feet, or 60.8 cubic feet in upper trims. Despite this, the Escape prioritized passenger space, offering ample headroom and legroom in the second row. The front seats provided a commanding view, and the interior featured numerous storage solutions, emphasizing real-world usability.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came standard with the Starlink infotainment system and an 8-inch touchscreen, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with large icons and a sensible menu layout. A color multi-information display atop the dash provided additional information, controlled by a steering wheel button.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim featured a 4.2-inch audio control screen, while the SE trim upgraded to an 8-inch Sync screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Titanium trim included a head-up display, though its flip-up screen design limited its effectiveness for taller drivers. The latest Sync version allowed for multitasking, enhancing the user experience.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid included standard safety features such as airbags, traction control, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Subaru's EyeSight suite offered advanced driver-assistance features, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. EyeSight also provided semi-autonomous highway driving capabilities.

The 2020 Ford Escape came with a comprehensive array of airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, and TPMS. It earned a Good rating from the IIHS in all testing phases. Ford Co-Pilot360, standard on the Escape, included forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams, along with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.