The 2018 Ford EcoSport is one of many utility vehicles from the automaker, providing versatility, plenty of rear-seat space, and your choice of powertrains. The current version of the EcoSport is available as an S, SE, SES, or Titanium trim. You can also choose from a turbo-3 with front-wheel drive and an inline-4-cylinder with all-wheel drive. Most of the models sold are this first configuration.
Ford EcoSport
Styling and First Impressions
The 2018 EcoSport displays styling cues reminiscent of larger Ford SUVs despite the short body. Reviews describe the resulting body style as shaped like a hatchback that has been cropped to work with a subcompact frame. The styling is somewhat odd. The cabin and nose seem to be a normal size, while the rear end ends much sooner than anticipated. Take a closer look at the front, and you will notice it sits taller than expected. However, the traditional front lights and grille hide this fact somewhat.
Cabin Styling and Comfort
While the base models of the EcoSport rely on a 4.2-inch LCD screen, the other ones do include an 8-inch touchscreen as a focal point. The seats have nice sporty stitches to add a bit of style. You can also enjoy the Ford EcoSport with copper-toned trim for the seats, dash, and doors. The base trim has cloth upholstery, or you can upgrade to enjoy leather. Top trims also include driver seats with padding and supportive bolsters. Because the auto sits high, you are treated to a tall driving position that lets you see around obstacles.
One of the strongest points in favor of the Ford EcoSport is its rear-seat space, which is dramatically better than most other similar autos. It is easy to get inside due to the tall stance and the wide door cuts. You can even comfortably fit two 6-foot-tall passengers in the rear seats. However, there will not be much headroom to spare. The rear seats even recline or fold down. With all seats occupied, the 2018 EcoSport has 20.9 cubic feet of cargo, so you might find yourself wanting to fold down the rear seats occasionally.
Features
source: ShutterStock
No matter the 2018 EcoSport trim you choose, Ford includes generous standard equipment. The base model comes with Bluetooth, a rearview camera, power accessories, air conditioning, and cruise control. Most will go with the SE trim for reverse parking sensors, automatic climate control, a small sunroof, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, keyless ignition, and satellite radio. This Ford can also include navigation, the 8-inch touchscreen, blind-spot monitoring, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, audio from Bang & Olufsen, and leather seats.
Engine Choices
As mentioned, the 2018 Ford EcoSport has two different engines to choose from. The 1.6-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder that most drivers opt for uses a 6-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. It delivers 125 pound-feet for torque and 123 horsepower. The transmission does include a Sport Mode, but it does not necessarily make a dramatic difference.
Going with all-wheel drive automatically upgrades the EcoSport to the 2-liter 4-cylinder with 149 pound-feet of torque and 166 horsepower. Unfortunately, you don’t get to really take advantage of the power boost since this EcoSport configuration also gains around 300 pounds. Towing with the front-wheel-drive model maxes out at 1,400 pounds, while AWD versions can handle 2,000.
