Yahoo Autos Itsy Bitsy Crossover: 2018 Ford EcoSport In-Depth Review
Overall Rating:
The EcoSport boasts the economy-minded traits of subcompacts and the sporty-lifestyle attributes of crossovers. Or at least that’s what Ford wants buyers to believe. Truthfully, the tiny ute is neither very economical nor very sporty-but it is surprisingly useful. Available with your choice of two engines, one with front-wheel drive and the other driving all four wheels, the EcoSport can tow more than some bigger crossovers. It also features a lofty seating position and fantastic infotainment options. Too bad the back seat is cramped and the fuel economy is crummy. Because of its size, the EcoSport has limitations, but it fills a unique role in the burgeoning subcompact-crossover segment.
What’s New for 2018?
The EcoSport nameplate has already been available in other markets since 2012. Now, finally, Ford has brought the diminutive crossover to the United States for 2018. It carries two distinct powertrains and four trim levels: S, SE, SES, and Titanium. The EcoSport also has a unique side-hinged rear hatch that can be equipped with an externally mounted spare tire.
Trims and Options We’d Choose
The EcoSport starts at just under $21,000, which aligns with most competitors. Opting for the top-tier SES or Titanium trims, however, will push the price toward $30,000. These versions have better interior materials and standard features than cheaper EcoSports, but we’d prefer the Kia Soul and Hyundai Kona-among others-for that money. As such, our EcoSport would be the base S model, to which we’d add the 2.0-liter inline-four with all-wheel drive ($1595). Not only does this powertrain maximize towing capability, it was also more efficient than the three-cylinder, front-wheel-drive version we took on our highway fuel-economy test. Its standard equipment includes:
• Cloth-trimmed front buckets with four-way manual adjustments
• 4.2-inch display with Bluetooth connectivity and voice control
• Two USB ports
We’d also add the spare-tire carrier mounted on the rear swing gate for $185; exclusive to the base model, it is more practical than the standard tire-inflator kit and adds a touch of character. All told, our all-wheel-drive EcoSport S lists for an economical $22,770.
Base Price Comparison
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