2018 Ford EcoSport Pros vs Cons

The 2018 Ford Ecosport is Ford's first foray into the crowded subcompact crossover market in the U.S. Crossover SUVs are all the rage in the U.S., with subcompacts becoming more and more popular.

Ford did not have to create a new vehicle from the ground up to jump into this class. The Ecosport has actually been around for awhile in different foreign markets. Some changes will certainly be made for the U.S. release next year.

What's New For 2018

This is the U.S. debut of Ford's subcompact crossover. The SUV is based on the Ford Fiesta platform. Not much will be changed from the 2017 foreign model when it comes to the exterior or interior style. Not all of the features have been officially release by Ford, as of this article's completion.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2018 Ford EcoSport – The Pros

1. Good Cargo and Storage Space

This is often the best reason to purchase any SUV. Small, subcompact crossovers have the benefit of good storage while also driving and parking like a regular car. This is a car-sized vehicle with much more storage than your average sedan.

Ford has stated that it will include over thirty different compartments inside of the SUV. This is an excellent amount of small-item storage.

2. A Small Vehicle that Seats Five

It's nice having a smaller vehicle that is easy to park and maneuver. It's even nicer when that vehicle can comfortably seat five adult passengers. It is easy for passengers to get in and out of the 2018 Ford Ecosport. The interior almost seems impossibly large when you consider the overall size of this crossover.

3. Sleek Exterior Style

The 2018 Ford Ecosport has a sleek, modern design for the exterior. It looks both rugged and elegant at the same time. Ford has given the U.S. its hexagonal grill that is showing up on so many of their current vehicles. The Ecosport will come in a variety of conservative and more daring colors. This crossover is sure to get some attention from admirers wherever you go.

4. Nice, Clean Interior

The interior is simple, but has a nice, clean look to it. It's not overly busy, but still has all of the things you need. It has ample storage, plenty of head and leg room and a nice console design. The gauges and console are neat and well thought out. The material quality is good, but nothing to write home about. Still, it comes across as a very comfortable and well-made vehicle.

5. Infotainment System and High-Tech Features

The sound system and overall infotainment system will be beefed up for the U.S. release of the 2018 Ford Ecosport. The Titanium trim will feature a 10-speaker sound system with over 675 watts of power.

The system will feature an 8' touchscreen and Ford's Sync3 system. A navigation system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are all included. Multiple USB ports, 110 volt and 12 volt outlets will also be featured throughout the interior.

6. Affordable Price

One area that makes the 2018 Ford Ecosport so competitive in this crowded market is with the price. The base price is one of the lowest in this category of vehicles. Ford has built a budget vehicle that still boasts many of the features you would only expect to see in a more expensive crossover.

7. Nice Handling

The 2018 Ford Ecosport handles nicely. It features decent acceleration, great steering and excellent braking. It's not quite as sporty as some crossovers, but it is fun to drive. It hugs corners nicely and the automatic transmissions available do their jobs very well.

8. Good engine performance

The base engine for the 2018 Ford Ecosport is a 1.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost I-3. There is also an optional 2.0-liter I-4. Both engines provide good performance and enough power for decent acceleration. The base engine produces 123 hp and 125 lbs-ft of torque. The larger engine offers 140 hp and 137 lb-ft of torque.

9. Many Trims and Options to Choose From

The Ford Ecosport offers a number of different trims and two different engines. There should be a good package for just about anyone. The trim levels scale appropriately, giving a fair amount of new features per price jump.

10. Roomy Rear Seats

For a small crossover, the Ecosport provides a ton of room for rear passengers. It is easy to get in and out of those backseats too. Passengers can comfortably ride in style with plenty of head room and the ability to stretch their legs out.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2018 Ford EcoSport – The Cons

1. Unconventional Cargo Door

Unlike most crossovers and hatchbacks, the cargo door on the Ecosport is side-opening. This different door style may be cumbersome and inconvenient in small spaces, such as your garage. There's really not much of an advantage, from a design standpoint, to this type of opening. It may come in handy if you have unusually short ceiling clearance in that garage.

2. 3-Cylinder Lacks AWD

The 3-cylinder engine models do not offer all-wheel drive. This is unfortunate for anyone who wants the fuel economy of the 3-cylinder with the utility and versatility of an AWD vehicle.

3. Lack of Safety Info

There isn't a lot of info on the safety features that will be included in this model. Likewise, there have been no extensive crash tests yet, since the vehicle has never been sold in the U.S. before. This isn't to say that it will fair poorly in these categories, it's just something to keep in mind. If safety is priority one for you, you'll need to wait til closer to release time before deciding to choose an Ecosport.

How it Stacks up to the Competition

The 2018 Ford Ecosport faces stiff competition from a large market. Subcompact, crossover SUVs have become extremely popular in the U.S. in recent years. Three of the top choices in this vehicle class include the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3 and the Jeep Renegade.

Each of Ford's competitors here offer a lot of nice features and good, quality vehicles. The Ford wins out when it comes to price, value and the quality of the ride.

Conclusion

Ford's new entry into the U.S. subcompact, crossover market is exciting. If you are looking for a vehicle in this class, it may be well worth your time to test drive the Ecosport. This is a nice vehicle for driving around a lot of passengers in comfort. It makes for a great family vehicle.