The Chevrolet Equinox is doing exceptionally well in the marketplace. In the first three months of 2018, Chevy Equinox sales in the United States market are up 31 percent to an impressive 82,398 units, giving it a 10 percent share of a vital, extremely competitive and growing segment. Truth be told, Chevy’s bread-and-butter CUV is showing no signs of slowing down. By comparison, Chevy’s cross-town rival, Ford, isn’t doing so well in the same segment: Ford Escape sales fell 12 percent to 67,350 units during the same time frame. But new information indicates that Ford will soon bring the heat in a big way to the compact crossover space.
Based on new spy shots of the future Ford Escape taken by our sister site, Ford Authority, the next-generation Escape will spawn two related but rather distinct models. The first will be slightly larger than the current Escape and have three rows of seating, while the second will be shorter, smaller, and sportier, and feature two rows of seats. The three-row model will have rather conservative styling when it comes to the roofline, while the smaller variant will feature a more aggressive roofline rake.
Our sister site, Ford Authority, has the complete gallery of 2020 Ford Escape spy pictures as well as complete 2020 Ford Escape details.
By comparison, the current, third-generation Chevrolet Equinox that debuted for the 2018 model year is offered in one size, a two-row seating setup and a rather conventional body/roof line configuration – a circumstance that might put it at a disadvantage when compared to the future Ford Escape. All that brings us to our topic du jour: does the Chevy Equinox – which has quickly becomes Chevrolet’s second-best-selling vehicle behind the Silverado – have anything to worry about when it comes to the key mainstream compact crossover segment?
It’s wort noting that Ford’s approach to the next-gen Escape isn’t entirely unique, but rather appears to copy the successful strategy undertaken by Volkswagen with its second-generation Tiguan. The German automaker offers a regular-wheelbase version of the new Tiguan with two rows of seating as well as an extended-wheelbase variant with three rows. Only the latter is sold in the United States, and sales of that model have sky rocketed 168 percent to 27,428 units in the first three months of 2018. The figure pales in comparison to the 82,398 units sold by the Equinox during the same timeframe. In VW’s defense, however, it does have a significantly smaller retail footprint compared to Chevrolet – and therefore is at a disadvantage from a sales volume standpoint.
So, does the upcoming 2020 Ford Escape post a big threat to the Equinox? Sound off in the comments.
Comments
Do you think any of the Equinox’s success last month had to do with dealers (at least in the Metro Detroit area) having a shortage of Terrains due to a rail issue?
Equinox has a great design with the passenger and rear windows being positioned at just the right off center angle. It makes for a handsome design. Sorta like a quiry Durango.
I personally think the styling of the Equinox is tame/borderline dull, especially compared to a Mazda CX-5 or Hyundai Tuscon. In the most common LT trim, it’s entirely forgettable. The strange creases on the side and sharp rear corners are just odd.
The upcoming Blazer (or whatever it may be called) should address any buyers who might consider a three-row Escape, so Chevy will indeed have a competitor. The Acadia fits the bill also.
Yeah, the styling of the ‘Nox leaves a lot to be desired. Even Toyota, which is known for safe/tame/traditional designs, has really stepped up its game with the new RAV4, a movement started by the new Camry.
As for the Acadia and Blazer fitting the bill in satisfying a three-row crossover, that’s true, but there is one glaring and important problem: both are/will be in an entirely different price range than the next 3-row Escape.
The comparison is quite obvious: the Escape will be priced to start around $22,000. The Acadia is around $30,000 starting, with the Blazer potentially coming in around $27,000.
GM holds an advantage with two distinct models in styling. Let’s face it most people like one or the other but not both. This worked well on the last gen and will continue on this.
Sure, GM has two crossovers in the segment that are doing really well… but I do wonder if that will last given that GM has no three-row crossover priced in the low $20,000 range… something that the Tiguan is addressing, as will the next Escape. The real question is how many sales will GM lose by not having a three-row C-segment CUV?
Once you get so small three rows become a issue. You gain two seats but lose nearly any cargo. The Acadia is priced to where a little more you can get a three row with a little cargo. SLE models are easily found with incentives over and under $30k.
The compact three-row CUVs aren’t exactly “small”… since they all have that longer rear overhang and/or a longer wheelbase. It’s pretty much the size of the last-gen Captiva (non-Sport).
The new Tiguan does the compact three-row + cargo thing quite well… it’s not as much a compromise as some might believe… and even then, and that third row isn’t used all the time – it’s just a matter of having the option of having it when needed.
The incentives thing on larger models is true, but most consumers don’t shop that way and aren’t aware of them… they shop by starting price point and will not even have the more expensive mid-size models on their list just based on the higher starting price alone.
The Ford Escape isn’t much of a looker for a CUV, it’s mediocre in my opinion. And I hate to say it but the foreign automakers are making imo a nicer packaged crossover and looking better. The Honda CR-V has been a good medium. The new Toyota RAV4 looks aggressive and offering an off-road oriented CUV. Yes I know safety features, room, and fuel economy are what a lot of car shoppers are looking for, but as much of a Chevy guy I am the Equinox followed the more conservative approach.
It should be noted that sister site Ford Authority also reported recently that Ford is developing a baby Bronco, this spy photo could be that vehicle. Autoblog came up with a rendering which was awesome. I would be surprised if Ford went this route of offering 2 distinct models under the same Escape moniker.
Agreed, both the Escape and Equinox are not much in the looks department. I would love to see the next gen Escape go back to its SUV roots (the current version looks like a tall wagon) – a scaled-down miniaturized Explorer would be awesome.
You also like a “rectangular” body like myself. The organic or aerodynamic shapes of the foreign brands reduce interior space and makes washing the CUV more difficult. I expect collision repairs will also cost more. The older Volvos were great because of their boxy shapes, and so are the Land Rover SUVs. If someone wants a CUV that looks like a car, then get a car!
The present Escape is smaller than the previous generation, and smaller than the present (and past) Equinox. So the Equinox will continue to sell well. But if Ford brings back the hybrid Escape, sale will jump and cut off Equinox sales. Come on, GM! You can build a hybrid or EREV Equinox!