Which is better: the 2020 Ford Escape or Kia Sportage?

By Product Expert | Posted in Ford Escape on Friday, May 17th, 2019 at 2:39 pm
2020 Ford Escape

2020 Ford Escape vs Kia Sportage

The 2020 Ford Escape takes big steps forward with a new platform, styling, and powertrain options. This could be a gamechanger in the compact SUV segment. As the first vehicle on the new modular architecture from Ford to come to the U.S., the 2020 Escape promises better efficiency, space, comfort, and handling.

How does the 2020 Kia Sportage compare? Is it doing enough to compete with what Ford is bringing to the American table? Let’s pit the two vehicles against each other and see.

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2020 Ford Escape Vs. 2020 Kia Sportage
4 Engine Options 2
250 Max Horsepower 240
34.4 cubic feet Cargo Space (with rear seats up) 31 cubic feet
65.4 cubic feet Cargo Space (with rear seats down) 60 cubic feet
Five Trim Levels Four
Yes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay? Yes
8.0-inch touchscreen Infotainment 8.0-inch touchscreen
Standard Blind-Spot Monitors? Optional
Yes Hybrid Option(s)? No

Horsepower, Cargo Space, and Safety Features of the 2020 Ford Escape

The 2020 Ford Escape offers more flexibility, more options, and superior specs in key areas compared to the 2020 Kia Sportage. It offers four engine options to the two from Kia, including two hybrid options (one of which is plug-in for the first time).

Infotainment features are similar (and quite good on both vehicles), but the 2020 Escape wins out in the key arena of cargo space, both with and without the rear seats lowered.

2020 Ford Escape Redesign

The redesign of the Ford Escape for the 2020 model year endows it with longer, lower, and wider dimensions, which serve to improve both the vehicle’s utility and driving dynamics. The 2020 Kia Sportage is tweaked for the new model year, but not redesigned as thoroughly (or as excitingly) as the Ford.

The length of the 2020 Ford Escape is increased to 180.5 inches. This improves the interior dimensions in all sorts of pleasant ways. One that we’re most excited for is the innovative sliding second row of seats- these can be slid back to enjoy up to a full 40.7 inches of rear leg room, making it the best in-class figure for non-hybrid models.

2020 Ford Escape

2020 Ford Escape

2020 Ford Escape Engine Options

There are four powertrain options on the 2020 Ford Escape, one of which is a plug-in hybrid available for the first time. The options are:

  • 1.5-liter three-cylinder
  • 2.0-liter four-cylinder
  • 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid
  • 2.5-liter four-cylinder plug-in hybrid

2020 Ford Escape Interior Features

Interior/infotainment features of the 2020 Ford Escape include:

  • Interior 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
  • Twist-dial gear selector
  • Re-skinned Sync 3 infotainment
  • 8-inch touchscreen

2020 Ford Escape Safety Features

The standard Ford Co-Pilot 360 safety suite includes:

  • Blind-spot warning
  • Rear cross traffic alert
  • Lane-keeping assist
  • Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection

Optional safety features include adaptive cruise control and lane centering.

Read More: Will the 2020 Ford Explorer be rear-wheel drive?

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