mmarshall

After a long wait, Ford has announced pricing for the American-market version of the upcoming EcoSport. We won't actually see them in American dealerships for at least a couple of more months...Ford has been mum on a official release date, but estimates are anywhere form late fall to next spring 2018 (Ford simply has "early 2018" on the web-site). Four versions will be offered here in the American market...the base S model at $19,995, SE at $22,905, Titanium at $25,740, and SES at $26,740. All come with a standard 6-speed automatic transmission. All but the SES will have a 1.0L turbo in-line three...SES models will have a 2.0L non-turbo four (which is probably the engine I would choose, even though it only comes on the most expensive version...I usually don't care for very small turbo engines). All will have a choice of FWD or AWD...somewhat surprising for the small turbo-three.

https://www.ford.com/suvs-crossovers/ecosport/2018/

From what I've seen in pictures/images, and the locked-up one on display at the D.C. Auto Show last winter, I like this vehicle. It seems generally conservative in its basic design, avoids the extreme in-your face styling seen in several of its potential competitors, appears to be space-efficient, and comes in some nice bright and pastel colors. The no-nonsense shifter avoids gimmicks, the controls are simple, well-laid out, and easy to use. Let's hope, though, that the overall build quality and reliability (and the back-seat padding) is better than with its bigger brother Ford Escape...a vehicle that, for the most part, I am NOT impressed with.

My next door neighbor has a very old 1Gen Escape that has (now) some rust issues, and she is probably going to replace it soon. When I mentioned the Ecosport, she and her husband (he has three older vehicles of his own) seemed quite interested...its small size and maneuverability will make it easy to park (yes, next to my big Lacrosse LOL) . It will carry a decent amount of cargo for its size, and it should be pretty good on gas, even with the optional AWD to go through snow.....it looks like it might be an ideal vehicle for her.

They, of course, requested that when available, I check it out for them...and I do plan to look at several different versions when they debut. I also plan to do a formal review/write-up (I know I haven't done many of them lately), though I'm sure that Alex Dykes (from Alex on Autos) will do a better and more thorough job than me. And, if they delay introduction till next February or later, I might even get to use the the pre-paid Mastercard Test-Drive offer at the D.C. Auto Show that Ford has been doing for several years. Lincoln used to do a similar offer, but now they donate, in your name, to your choice of charities instead.

Aron9000

I still think you're better off shelling out 2-3k more for a base model CR-V or Rav4, both of those are under 25k and give you a lot more room. Besides this Ford is really really really UGLY IMO, right up there with the styled after a potato Buick Encore.

A lot of people said this is the replacement for the Ford Fiesta in the American market. Its about the same size, tiny, smaller by a good bit than other such competitors as the Honda H-RV, Mazda CX-3, Chevy Trax. Personally I think Ford has this thing priced too high for the amount of room you get. Of course after a year or so domestic automakers pile a lot of cash on the hood. This might be a bit more appealing at 16k for a base model and maybe 18-19k for something with some options and that 4 cylinder engine/awd.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

still can't believe how high that hood is over the front wheels. crazy ugly.

mmarshall

Your opinons noted...but I still think it looks better than several of its competitors.

Toys4RJill

Wow. Just looked the front wheel area. That hood is really high. Looks bad. Very bad.

LexBob2

Maybe they're trying to give it a chunky rugged look? It doesn't work too well. It will probably sell well though. This segment is hot right now.

mmarshall

Pedestrian impact standards probably played a role in the design of the front end. This vehicle has been sold in Europe for several years.....just now making its way to the U.S.

Though it's hard to pin down exact numbers, I'm going to make one of my (rare) predictions and say that it will probably sell quite well. It seems very close to what a lot of people are looking for...especially those who are put off by the styling of some of its Japanese-brand competitors.

mmarshall

+1.

Almost definitely. I'm confident enough of that to make an (unusual) prediction on my part, too.

situman

How is it that American cars can have proper powerplants with real power in their cars while the Japanese have wheezy underpowered 4 cylinders?

mmarshall

Well, ironically, that is one of the few things that (at least on paper) I criticized the EcoSport's design on....the Mickey-Mouse 1.0L turbo three engine that all but the top-line SES version is stuck with. I say "on paper" because, traditionally, I leave final judgement for my review or sample. Sometimes, engines that look Wimpy on paper are actually stronger on the road than their feeble numbers would suggest....weight, transmission/final-drive gearing, ECU programming, and a number of other factors come in.

Toys4RJill

Maybe. But it still looks strange. I would rather have a Buick Encore.

mmarshall

Well, no offense, Jill, but, yes, I guess you rather would have an Encore...so would I, and probably so would most of us on Car Chat. But you won't pick up a new Encore for 20K (plus tax and destination) like with a base EcoSport, though base-level 2018 Encores start around 23K.....not that much more. And the Encore will give you Opel quality/reliability and a 6/70 and 4/50 Buick warranty, in comparison to Ford's 5/60 and 3/36.

JDR76

I'm sure it will sell well.

I wish they would have spelled it "EchoSport" if that's how they want it to be pronounced...

mmarshall

Toyota may (I'm not sure?) still have the patent-rights to the Echo name, which it used a number of years ago for the Tercel's replacement.

LexBob2

It would be a tough choice. The lesser of two evils.