Find yourself caught between the 2021 Ford Escape and Chevrolet Equinox? Choosing just one of these small crossover SUVs can be complicated. After all, both the Escape and the Equinox ensure roomy, comfortable cruising and the latest on-road tech offerings. To figure out which model is right for you, our comparison guide is here to look at how these small crossovers differ from one another.
Smooth Comfort: It’s a Tie!
If a smooth ride and comfortable seating are your only decision-making criteria, you’re in trouble. Both the 2021 Ford Escape and Chevy Equinox have plenty of room for your whole family. And, with their smooth rides and cushy seating, both models are also prime picks for road trips.
And these small crossovers offer a variety of trim levels, supplying shoppers with all the luxury they care to purchase. Optional features include leather seating, seat heaters, and panoramic moonroofs.
Power and Performance: 2021 Ford Escape
When you choose the Ford Escape, you also get to choose between three engine options. Each is designed to deliver both a sporty ride and plenty of fuel economy, in varying ratios. The Escape’s powertrain options include:
- Standard turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine (181 horsepower, 190 pound-feet of torque) + eight-speed automatic transmission
- Optional 2.5L hybrid powertrain (200 total hp) + continuously variable transmission
- Optional turbo 2.0L four-cylinder engine (250 hp, 280 lb-ft) + eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive
All-wheel drive is optional for the Escape’s standard and hybrid powertrains, and it’s standard with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.
Every 2021 Chevy Equinox has the same engine:
- Standard turbo 1.5L four-cylinder engine (170 hp, 203 lb-ft) + six-speed automatic transmission.
Although it’s not quite as powerful as the Escape, it does give you the option of all-wheel drive, which is available for all but the base L model.
Max Fuel Economy: 2021 Ford Escape
With its powerful hybrid engine — optional for the Escape SE and standard on the top-trim Titanium — the Escape earns up to 41 mpg combined (44 city/37 highway). That’s a lot better than the Equinox’s top EPA ratings of 28 mpg combined (26/31 mpg). To save money on fuel, your choice is clear.
Tech Gear: 2021 Chevrolet Equinox
While both models come standard with a decent array of high-tech safety features, only the Equinox comes standard with everything you want in a modern infotainment system. Every Equinox includes a touch-screen infotainment interface, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. For the Escape, only the Wi-Fi hotspot is standard. But you’ll find the other features on all but the base S model.
Meanwhile, in terms of safety, standard features on both models include lane departure and forward collision mitigation. The Escape adds a standard blind-spot monitor to help you avoid side swipes. And the Equinox adds a standard rear-seat reminder to help keep you from leaving kids or pets in the back seats.
Endnotes
The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox is a cool contender, but the 2021 Ford Escape is the overall winner here. Choose Ford’s small crossover for an impressive range of engine options, better fuel economy, and smooth comfort.