New & Used: 9673 Kings Auto Mall Road, Cincinnati, OH 45249
Used: 435 E Galbraith Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45215
Sales:
(513) 741-1111
Service:
(513) 697-5200
Starting at
Starting at
| 170 - 252 | Horsepower (HP) | 181 - 250 |
| 203 | Base Torque (lb-ft) | 190 |
| 9-Speed Automatic | Transmission | 8-Speed Automatic |
With consumers more interested in SUVs these days than ever before, car manufacturers are trying to build out their SUV lineups and provide a larger selection across the board. One of the first places lifelong sedan-owners will look is into something similar to their cars, which is why compact SUVs and crossovers have become such a popular category. If you haven’t necessarily had issues with owning sedans, but want something a little more versatile, then a compact SUV could be an excellent choice. Most SUVs come with options for AWD, increased ground clearance, and plenty of cargo space. And it’s the same with compact SUVs. With so many models available, how do you choose? Fortunately for consumers, that means more options to compare. For a quick comparison, let’s go over two compact SUVs, the 2020 Chevy Equinox vs 2020 Ford Escape.
Chevy and Ford have a long history of battling it out between each other to see who is more renowned between the two North American car companies. While many of their battles have been between sports cars and pickup trucks, today, we have a worthy showdown between two of their popular SUVs.
When comparing two SUVs, it’s essential to take certain things into consideration. Since they’re compact, their starting prices shouldn’t be much different than some of the sedans you’ll see on the market. After all, these SUVs aren’t always bigger than a sedan, but they do come with some additional features. Also, you need to look at what kind of capabilities they have, as you would expect an SUV to have capabilities most sedans wouldn’t. When all is said and done, the most capable, affordable, and versatile machine is the victor. For many, that would mean the 2020 Chevy Equinox would come out on top. It has a lower starting price than the 2020 Ford Escape, and it either beats it in certain categories or puts up similar numbers. To check out a 2020 Chevy Equinox today, come visit us at McCluskey Chevy.
Pricing and looks aside, most people consider the type of performance they can expect from their new vehicle. While specific numbers might not mean much to everyone, the general rule of thumb when it comes to horsepower and torque is that higher is better. If your engine has a higher output of horsepower and torque than another, you can most likely expect a more powerful and smooth ride.
With the 2020 Chevy Equinox, you get two gas engine options. The standard option is a 1.5L Turbo 4-cylinder engine with an output of 170 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The upgraded engine option is a 2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder engine with an output of 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive capabilities are available starting on the Equinox LS and all the way through to the Equinox Premier.
The 2020 Ford Escape also comes with two gas engine options and one hybrid option. It’s not entirely fair to compare hybrid engines vs gas-powered engines, so we’ll leave the hybrid version out. The standard option is a 1.5L EcoBoost engine with an output of 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque. The upgraded engine option is a 2.0L EcoBoost engine with an output of 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive capabilities are available across the trim levels.
Both the 2020 Chevy Equinox and 2020 Ford Escape, when properly equipped, are capable of towing up to a maximum capacity of 3,500 lbs. For compact SUVs, that’s quite a decent amount.
Overall, both SUVs come with similar performance numbers when comparing their engine options. The base engine option on the Equinox has less horsepower than the equivalent engine on the Escape, but its torque rating is higher. Similarly, the upgraded engines have very slight differences in their horsepower and torque numbers. Since they’re so similar, it could make more sense to go with the Equinox since it’s a lower price than the Escape. However, the Equinox also has the 9-speed automatic transmission compared to the Escape’s 8-speed version. More gears generally mean more flexibility and efficiency for your vehicle.
It’s not enough to just have style and performance these days—vehicles also need to back those features up with modern technology and plenty of versatility. The more an SUV is capable of, the more appealing it will be to consumers. And if there are plenty of options on the interior for comfort and convenience, your passengers will all be very happy.
The 2020 Chevy Equinox comes with 4G LTE Wi-Fi capabilities, Bluetooth, and a Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System. This system allows for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities, plus voice command pass-through to phone for compatible phones. There are also USB ports, 12-volt power outlets, and OnStar & Chevrolet Connected Services capabilities. Wireless charging, Universal Home Remote, and Remote Start all come standard on the Equinox Premier.
The 2020 Ford Escape also comes with similar technology features like 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities across the trim levels. For Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities, though, you’ll have to avoid the Escape S, as it doesn’t come with these options. Remote Start System is available on the Escape Titanium.
Overall, their technology features are similar, but if you’re going with a less expensive trim, the Equinox L may give you more bang for your buck than the Escape S.
Safety is always a top priority, but with advanced safety features becoming more common, it’s up to car manufacturers to make these features more widely available. Many vehicles will only have certain safety features available only on their higher trim levels, which is, in a way, putting a price on your safety.
With the 2020 Chevy Equinox, you get advanced safety features as a standard across the trim levels. Features like Automatic Emergency Braking, Following Distance Indicator, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and Front Pedestrian Braking won’t cost you any extra and can be found starting with the Equinox L model. Rear Vision Camera, Rear Seat Reminder, and Teen Driver are also standard features. As you move up the trim levels, there are just a few more features that become available, like HD Rear Vision Camera, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Rear Park Assist.
On the 2020 Ford Escape, advanced safety features are part of the Ford Co-Pilot360 Technology suite. You do have some standard advanced safety features, but the majority of features becomes more widely available on the higher trim levels. The Escape S model comes with Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane-Keeping System, and BLIS with Cross-Traffic Alert.
Overall, the advanced safety features on the Equinox are more heavily integrated across the trim levels, and there are simply more of them in general. This would make the 2020 Chevy Equinox a much safer bet when compared to the 2020 Ford Escape. Even if you pay more money for the Escape Titanium, its features don’t compare to what you’d find on the Equinox Premier.
The many compact SUVs you can find on the market today will all have a variety of similar attributes, but when you start to dig deeper, you’ll find these vehicles can actually be quite different. In straight comparisons, the differences are plain to see. With the 2020 Chevy Equinox vs 2020 Ford Escape, both of these vehicles appear to be almost identical. Their performance numbers are similar, and the pricing isn’t too far off (although the Equinox is less expensive). However, the differences between their available safety features leave a wide gap between the two SUVs that might make the decision a little clearer for some people.
At McCluskey Chevy, we believe in a brand that puts out safe and reliable vehicles. The Chevy Equinox comes with plenty of features, both with safety and technology, to make sure you and your passengers are both comfortable and secure. If you’re interested in seeing a new Equinox for yourself, or any other Chevy vehicle, we invite you to pay us a visit soon at our dealership in Cincinnati, OH. You can see all our available stock on our website and browse through our wide range of vehicles with ease. Filter through them and see if there’s something that might catch your eye.
If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call, and we’d be happy to help. Otherwise, you can always come down in person and look around the lot yourself. One of our friendly sales professionals will assist you if you need anything. We hope to see you soon!
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
