2020 Ford EcoSport

Overview

Don't be misled by the name: The Ford EcoSport is neither fuel efficient nor sporty compared with the best subcompact crossovers. It offers the tall seating position and the optional all-wheel drive that many buyers want, at an affordable price, but that's also true of almost all of its competitors. And just like the smallest cars of yesteryear, it's slow and the backseat is cramped. While the EcoSport is available with many of the same convenience features as more expensive vehicles, the low-rent interior and ho-hum driving experience reflect the price charged. If you want something more stylish with more polished road manners, check out the Hyundai Kona or Kia Soul. If space is your biggest concern, consider the Nissan Kicks.

What's New for 2020?

The EcoSport line receives minor changes for 2020. An 8.0-inch touchscreen, up from last year's 6.5 inches, is now included on the SE trim. FordPass Connect, standard on all trims, includes a Wi-Fi hotspot and app connectivity that allows an owner to unlock and lock the vehicle from a smartphone. A subscription service is required to use these features, although a one-year free trial for app connectivity is included.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Whether it has the standard 123-hp turbocharged three-cylinder or the optional 166-hp four-cylinder, the EcoSport is the opposite of quick. Both engines share a dutiful six-speed automatic transmission and—surprisingly—can tow more than most rivals. Having driven these powertrains, we've confirmed that straight-line acceleration is not a strong point. Still, both engines felt peppy leaving stoplights and at city speeds. The Ford can tow up to 2000 pounds when equipped with the four-cylinder engine. Even the three-cylinder version can handle as much as 1400 pounds.

Despite its flawed dynamics, the EcoSport has redemptive qualities that even qualify as fun—at times. To be clear, it drives much better at slower speeds. The Ford felt athletic and punchy slicing through busy streets, but its vague steering and noisy ride diminished the experience. While its ride can't isolate the cabin from rough surfaces, the softly sprung suspension on our Titanium test vehicle effectively cushioned occupants from the harshness. Too bad the spongy shocks and top-heavy demeanor led to unruly body motions. These effects were amplified at higher speeds. The brake pedal on our front-drive Titanium model never felt firm, but it had consistent feedback.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Those who believe the "Eco" in EcoSport stands for economical will be disappointed. Neither of the two available engines are inefficient per se; they just lag behind the competition in their EPA estimates and real-world highway fuel economy. Surprisingly, the four-cylinder version performed better on our real-world test than the three-cylinder. We observed 30 mpg with the four-cylinder and 28 with the three-cylinder. However, neither were as efficient as the Hyundai Kona or the Nissan Rogue Sport we tested.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The EcoSport interior is functional instead of fashionable, which we can appreciate on the cheaper models. Too bad the cabin quality is underwhelming on top trims that cost nearly $30,000. Meanwhile, there's ample passenger space up front but not so much in back. Compared with the classy cabins of the Kona and the Kia Soul, the tiny Ford's interior disappoints. The leather-wrapped steering wheel felt rubbery, and most of the plastic surfaces felt hard and hollow. The SES model dresses up things with exclusive leather-and-cloth seats as well as copper-colored trim pieces.

Despite its diminutive size, the EcoSport has competitive cargo space and storage. Most test results were average; the Ford proved itself a useful, albeit compact, travel companion with a few handy tricks. It held fewer carry-on suitcases than the Rogue Sport and the Honda HR-V but had higher capacity than the other similar competitors. The EcoSport has an assortment of interior storage spots, but none are very large. A sealable vent in the glovebox connects with the vehicle's air conditioner to create a climate-controlled compartment.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The EcoSport offers two levels of infotainment, with the top version based on Ford's user-friendly Sync 3 system. It uses an 8.0-inch touchscreen packed with features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interfaces. Base models have a basic display with Bluetooth compatibility but no other smartphone integration.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The EcoSport received a four-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration out of a possible five stars. While the Ford lacks advanced driver assists such as automated emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, the features that are available align with most competitors. Key features include:

• Available blind-spot monitoring
• Available rear cross-traffic alert
• Available rear parking sensors

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The EcoSport's warranty coverage is strictly average; those who want the best protection available should consider either the Soul or the Kona.

• Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance