The 2020 Ford Escape and 2020 Dodge Journey are two compact SUVs to compare when thinking about upgrading to a new SUV. But as you’ll find, Ford’s quality and performance, as well as comfortable ride, make the Escape a clear choice. Stop by Brighton Ford and let us take you for a ride today.
The 2020 Ford Escape’s sporty new redesigned 2020 SUV offers buyers roomy interior and cargo space. With seating for five, this stylish new compact SUV is easy to drive and packed with the latest features. The sliding second-row seats open up to an enormous 40.7 inches of legroom. It has 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and when the rear seats are folded, the maximum cargo space yields 65.4 cubic feet. For a two-row crossover, that’s a useful amount of room and makes it easier to get in and out of the vehicle. It comes standard with cloth upholstery or available synthetic or genuine leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
The Journey is part of a generation that started in 2009; and though it has had a refresh and a few changes, such as adding a third row and updating some interior materials, it has condensed its lineup and now offers just two trims. It’s three rows of seating will seat up to seven people, but while the first two rows are roomy, there isn’t much third-row space. Only smaller passengers will have enough room to ride back there. Cloth upholstery and manually adjustable front seats are standard. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel are optional. The Journey has 10.7 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 37 cubic feet behind the second row, and 67.6 cubic feet with both rows folded down.
The Escape handles well for a compact SUV. It offers three different powertrain options ranging from sporty performance to a new efficient hybrid, with improved power and acceleration to move your vehicle well. Its sporty performance and handling make it drive more like a car. The 180-horsepower three-cylinder EcoBoost turbocharged engine and 250-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine provide plenty of power for everyday driving. It earns respectable ratings of 27/33 mpg on the city and highway. When properly equipped, the Escape can tow up to 3,500 pounds. Not bad for a compact SUV.
For 2020 Dodge Journey dropped its V6 engine, six-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel-drive options. The only engine available in the Journey is a weak 172-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder, and it’s paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. This engine takes some time for the Journey to accelerate, and the transmission is hesitant to downshift. The previously available V6 engine wasn't a powerhouse, but it was far more capable of carrying a full load of passengers and cargo than the base engine. The Journey delivers 19/25 in the city and on the highway and when properly equipped it can tow up to 1,000 pounds.
Ford Escape’s popular safety features include, Evasive Steering Assist, Lane Keeping System, and Blind-Spot Information System (BLIS) to help give you the security you need on our roads. Other safety features include a rearview camera and automatic emergency braking. All this is bundled into the Ford Co-Pilot360. The new Escape comes standard with user friendly 8-inch freestanding touchscreen, navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and a SYNC system with an option for a SYNC 3 infotainment system. Starting price for this compact SUV is $24,885 for the S and ranges to $33,400 for the Titanium.
The Journey ‘s standard safety features include a rearview mirror and parking sensors. The Dodge Uconnect infotainment system is easy to use and comes with a 4.3-inch touch screen. It’s standard with six speakers and a USB port. Optional features include navigation, satellite radio, a six-speaker premium audio system, climate control, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a sunroof. The Journey doesn’t offer Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Starting price for the base SE Value is $23,675 and $28,595 for the Crossroad trim.
Overall
The 2020 Ford Escape may be a little more compact than the 2020 Dodge Journey, but it offers a punch in power and acceleration, as well as impressive standard features. The 2020 Dodge Journey fails to stand out with its lethargic engine and limited features. Come check it out for yourself at Brighton Ford.