In 2018, Ford will introduce a new small SUV model to the North American market, filling a gap in their lineup of large SUVs. The 2018 Ford EcoSport has been available in other markets since 2014 and is expected to compete with other compact crossover models.
The organic and round Mazda CX-3 and the fantastic little Jeep Renegade are two examples. The smaller SUVs that were recently released drew an unexpectedly large audience in the United States. Overall, this could be the reason Ford is now releasing their first compact crossover in the United States.
However, the compact crossover segment is already quite crowded, so the 2018 Ford EcoSport is far from certain to make the cut.
Only if the car has some exceptional features does it stand a chance, but these aren’t easy to find at first glance. Check out the full review to see if the 2018 EcoSport will become a public favorite.
Exterior design
The 2018 EcoSport is a stylish crossover with a distinctive Ford grille. This model has the same shape as the previous one, but with different grille patterns and three wide chrome strips. In addition, there is a darker mesh-like pattern behind it. Another characteristic Ford feature is the lower air dam, which is surrounded by an insert to make it appear larger. Finally, the diagonal headlights and triangular foglights give the car a slightly aggressive appearance.
The relatively small wheels and high stance of the vehicle define the car’s side. The lower portion of the car is puffed out and flows nicely around the wheel arches. The lower outline of the side windows forms a body line that runs from front to back. It rises, and beneath it is another body line that continues in a slightly upward direction all the way to the back.
The wraparound rear window, the typical Ford taillights, the dark bumper, and the silver-colored insert on it express the car’s rear. Furthermore, there aren’t many standout features on the exterior of the 2018 Ford EcoSport.
There are ten different exterior colors to choose from.
Overall, the car appears to be adequate, though it is not the most appealing compact crossover on the market. It has a rather generic overall appearance, and it appears to be more of an oversized hatchback than a small SUV. If a compact crossover is released, it may need to offer a little more oomph to compete here.
Interior design
Unlike the exterior of the 2018 EcoSport, the interior is a visual treat. The wraparound dashboard, a popular feature in contemporary interior design, is present, as is a fairly large infotainment screen. The center stack appears to be clean, and all of the air vents have a nice angular design.
The interior of the EcoSport is available with cloth seats, partial leather seats, or full leather seats in a dark (black) hue. The EcoSport is available with a contrasting interior color in North America.
Standard features include a six-speaker audio system, AUX and USB ports, a cooled dashboard partition, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Finally, the car is outfitted with standard Submarine ambient lighting. An automatic air conditioning system with a pollen filter is available as an option on higher trim levels of the 2018 Ford EcoSport.
A Bang & Olufsen PLAY sound system with 10 speakers, including tweeters, woofers, and a subwoofer, is available as an option.
Finally, the EcoSport has rear seats that fold into the floor to provide additional cargo space. Because there isn’t much in the car, this is a must. Overall, the interior of the EcoSport appears to be more than adequate; it appears to be a pleasant environment in which to travel. Unfortunately legroom may be limited.
Engine specs
The 2018 Ford EcoSport’s engine options are limited, but adequate. A 1.0-liter three-cylinder Ford EcoBoost engine with 125 horsepower is one option. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is also available. The latter will include Ford’s Intelligent Four Wheel Drive system.
All engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Tech specs
Finally, here is where the EcoSport can truly differentiate itself from the competition.
The infotainment screen in the car is powered by Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment software. The system is now easier and more intuitive to use, and it supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
HD Radio and SiriusXM satellite radio are optional tech features. Drivers can also operate their vehicle from almost anywhere thanks to SYNC Connect and FordPass. The vehicle can be locked, unlocked, and located, and the mobile app allows owners to view information such as the fuel level while not in the vehicle.
Blind Spot Monitoring with Cross Traffic Alert and an automatic braking system turn the car into a semi-autonomous driving vehicle.
Price and sale date
The 2018 Ford EcoSport will go on sale in the United States in the first quarter of 2018. Because the EcoSport is already on the market in Europe and South America, this car is expected to arrive as an updated version later in 2018.
The prices for the EcoSport start at $19,995 for the S trim, $23,000 for the SE trim, $25,880 for the Titanium trim, and $26,880 for the SES 4×4 trim.