2018 Ford EcoSport Review - Enjoy The Drive By John Heilig

THE AUTO PAGE
By John Heilig
Senior Editor and Bureau Chief
Mid-Atlantic Bureau
The Auto Channel

REVIEWED MODEL: 2018 Ford EcoSport
ENGINE: 2.0-liter I-4
TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic
HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 166 hp @ 6,500 rpm/140 lb.-ft. @ 4,500 rpm
WHEELBASE: 99.2 in.
LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT: 161.3 x 69.5 x 65.1 in.
TIRES: P205/50R17
CARGO CAPACITY: 20.9/50.0 cu. ft. (rear seat up/down)
ECONOMY: 26.8 mpg (test)
FUEL TANK: 13.6 gal.
CURB WEIGHT: 3,325 lbs. #/HP: 20.0
TOWING CAPACITY: 2,000 lbs.
COMPETITIVE CLASS: Chevrolet Trax, Fiat 500X,
STICKER: $20,000-$25,000 (est.)
BOTTOM LINE: Ford’s newest vehicle is the EcoSport, based on the Ford Fiesta, It becomes a small SUV with surprisingly decent performance.

There’s a growing interest in smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles, yet vehicles that are useful as well. We’ve all seen those little two-passenger sedans on the road, but they have little or no utility.

Many utility vehicles, on the other hand, have space by are less than economical.

Ford’s answer to this conundrum is the new EcoSport, which is based on the small Fiesta sedan. EcoSport is a small sport utility vehicle, probably more of a crossover utility vehicle, or CUV. Our tester delivered 26.8 mpg in our test, admittedly in primarily local driving.

Officially classified as a small SUV, EcoSport is also a fun vehicle to drive. Take it along winding country roads and it reveals its true character. Handling is very good and it almost feels like a small sports car. You can even shift the transmission into manual mode and use the paddles on the wheel, but I didn’t find that necessary. It was fun enough with the 10-speed automatic.

On my way to the golf course, I first lowered the rear seat backs and placed my clubs in. Then the ride began, and I zipped over that back roads. I’ll admit I drove more sanely when my wife was in the EcoSport, but if she needed it, there was a grab handle on the dash if she got nervous.

On the center stack is a larger infotainment screen that dominates the dash. During the day it has a clear, white background that turns black at night. The default screen is a map on the left and entertainment options on the right, with a menu along the bottom. The center stack has all the HVAC controls with a pair of USB outlets if you want to plug in.

Front seats are comfortable even though side support is minimal. In keeping with the “small” theme, there’s a small cubby that’s ideal for keys on the console. The center console/arm rest is also small.

Rear seats offer tight legroom, which was my one major complaint with the EcoSport. Indents in the backs of the front seats help with the knee room, but not much. However, there’s good rear seat headroom. And the rear head restraints fold forward to give the driver better rearward vision.

There are clothes hangers above the rear doors, but not assist handles.

Unique among the EcoSport’s features is a rear door that opens like a side-hinged door, rather than like a hatch. With the door open, the rear bumper offers a nice seat, which is convenient when you’re changing into golf shoes. Once you figure how to unlatch the door, it’s convenient.

As a new entry into Ford’s stable of utility vehicles, the EcoSport could have been just an “eco” car/CUV, but it isn’t. The EcoSport ends up as a nice riding, nice driving vehicle, with the added practicality of utility vehicle styling for those times when you have to tote, but not that much. It’s more like a small - dare I say it? - station wagon that’s ideal for young families or empty nesters...Enjoy The Drive!

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2018 Ford EcoSport Specs Prices and Official Details

Mini Utilities Class
Series: S, SE, SES, Titanium

Fun, capable and connected, the all-new Ford EcoSport can be customized with 10 available colors, six interior choices and ambient lighting options. EcoSport's five-passenger interior features available SYNC 3 features available SYNC® 3 with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ compatibility, plus there’s an available eight-inch voice activated touch screen. A rearview camera comes standard. Drivers can start, unlock and locate their vehicle from anywhere using available SYNC Connect with FordPass™. Audiophiles will appreciate the available B&O PLAY™ Premium Audio System by HARMAN. Award-winning 1.0-liter EcoBoost® three-cylinder with Auto Start-Stop is standard with six-speed automatic transmission; available 2.0-liter Ti-VCT four-cylinder with Auto Start-Stop is packaged with all-wheel drive. Standard safety features for the all-new EcoSport include AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control, Safety Canopy® side-air curtain technology for first and second rows, side thorax airbags for rear passengers and SOS Post-Crash Alert System.

STANDARD FEATURES

12-volt powerpoints (two)

Audio – AM/FM stereo with MP3 capability (S, SE, SES)

Audio – B&O PLAY™ Premium Audio System by HARMAN (Titanium)

Audio – SiriusXM® Radio (SE, SES, Titanium)

Easy Fuel® capless fuel filler

Engine – 1.0L EcoBoost® I-4 (S, SE, Titanium)

Engine – 2.0L Ti-VCT direct-injection I-4 (SES)

Front-wheel drive (S, SE, Titanium)

Intelligent 4WD (SES)

Intelligent Access with push-button start (SE, SES, Titanium)

Mirrors – Power sideview

MyKey®

Power windows and door locks

Remote keyless entry system with two integrated keyhead transmitter remotes (S)

Seats – Front buckets

Seat – Rear 60/40 split fold-flat bench

Steering wheel-mounted cruise control

SYNC® with 4.2" color LCD screen in center stack and smart-charging USB ports (two) (S)

SYNC 3 with LCD capacitive touch screen with AppLink,® 911 Assist® and two smart-charging USB ports (SE, SES, Titanium)

Tilt/telescoping steering column

Transmission – Six-speed SelectShift® automatic

Wipers – Intermittent front and rear

STANDARD SAFETY AND SECURITY

AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™

Airbags – Driver and front-passenger knee, front-/rear-seat side and Safety Canopy® System with side-curtain airbags and rollover sensor

Battery saver

Brakes – Four-wheel disc with Anti-Lock

Brake System

Child-safety rear door locks

Head restraints and three-point safety belts on all five seating positions

Illuminated entry system

LATCH – Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children

Personal Safety System™ for driver and front passenger with dual-stage front airbags

Rearview camera

SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System (S)

SOS Post-Crash Alert System™

Tire pressure monitoring system (excludes spare)

Traction control

AVAILABLE FEATURES

Cargo mat

Engine – 2.0L Ti-VCT direct-injection I-4 with Intelligent 4WD

Floor liners (front and rear)

Fog lamps

Keyless-entry keypad

Intelligent 4WD

Power moonroof with shade

Projector headlamps with LED daytime running lamps

Remote start system

Reverse sensing system

Roof-rack side rails

Roof-rail crossbars

Voice-activated navigation system

Wheels – 17" Premium dark-painted stainless machined aluminum

AVAILABLE PACKAGES

Cargo Management Package

Interior Protection Package

SE/SES/Titanium Cold Weather Package

SE Convenience Package