Compare the2022 BMW X2VS 2021 Ford Escape

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/05/06

The BMW X2 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Escape doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X2’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Escape doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the X2 and the Escape have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, and available all wheel drive.

Warranty

The X2 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Escape’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The X2’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Escape’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X2 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Escape.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the X2’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Escape’s camshafts. If the Escape’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X2’s reliability 56 points higher than the Escape.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X2 third among small premium suvs in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Escape isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 22nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 10 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Engine

The X2’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 47 more horsepower (228 vs. 181) and 68 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 190) than the Escape’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder. The X2 M35i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 51 more horsepower (301 vs. 250) and 51 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 280) than the Escape’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW X2 2.0 is faster than the Ford Escape:

	X2	Escape turbo 3 cyl.	Escape turbo 4 cyl.
Zero to 60 MPH	6.3 sec	8.4 sec	6.9 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	16.6 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	92.9 MPH	84.5 MPH	89.3 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X2 xDrive28i xDrive with its standard turbo 4 cyl. gets better fuel mileage than the Escape AWD 4 cyl. (24 city/31 hwy vs. 23 city/31 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the X2’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Escape doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X2 has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Escape FWD’s standard fuel tank (16.1 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The X2’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Escape doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X2 M35i’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Escape:

	X2 M35i	Escape
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	11.9 inches

The X2’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Escape are solid, not vented.

The X2 stops much shorter than the Escape:

	X2	Escape
60 to 0 MPH	111 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The X2’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Escape’s standard 65 series tires. The X2 M35i’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Escape’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X2 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Escape. The X2 M35i’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Escape.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X2 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Escape doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The X2 offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Escape’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X2 xDrive28i handles at .91 G’s, while the Escape SE AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X2 sDrive28i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.3 seconds quicker than the Escape SE (25.9 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

Chassis

The X2 is 8.3 inches shorter than the Escape, making the X2 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the X2 xDrive28i is quieter than the Escape SE AWD:

	X2	Escape
At idle	37 dB	37 dB
Full-Throttle	72 dB	75 dB
70 MPH Cruising	67 dB	70 dB

Passenger Space

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X2’s rear seats recline. The Escape’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X2. The Escape doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Servicing Ease

The X2 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Escape uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Ford. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 33% lower rating, Ford is ranked 25th.

Ergonomics

The X2’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Escape’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

If the windows are left open on the X2 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Escape can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X2 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Escape doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The X2’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Escape’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Consumer Reports rated the X2’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Escape’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X2 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Escape doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The X2’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Escape and aren’t offered on the Escape S.

When the X2 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Escape’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The X2’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Escape offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The X2 has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Escape S doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The X2 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Escape and isn’t available on the Escape S.

The X2’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Escape S doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the X2 has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Escape S doesn’t offer rear vents.