2020 Ford EcoSport

Imported from Ford’s plant in Chennai, India, the 2020 Ford Ecosport comes with two engine options and two drivetrains namely FWD and AWD. The Base 1.0L, three-cylinder turbocharged motor belts out 123hp and 125lbs-ft of Torque, while the naturally aspirated 2.0L Motor punches out 166hp and 149lbs-ft of Torque. The 4 Trims that are being offered in the 2020 Ecosport includes the base S Trim, followed by the SE, SES and the Titanium Trim. The SES trim is the only one that comes standard with AWD and the 2.0L Motor. All other trims can be had in either a FWD or an AWD option.

The 2020 Ford EcoSport comes in 4 trims, namely S, SE, SES and the Titanium trim. All of these trims can either be mated to a FWD system or the AWD. The AWD brings along a premium of around $2,500 that adds on top of the MSRP of the vehicle. The second-to-top trim, "SES" comes in an AWD configuration only.

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We believe that the SES trim is the best choice out of the given options. Apart from its standard AWD system, it also offers some extraordinary features such as the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear-cross traffic alert and a lot more.

"Still, both engines felt peppy leaving stoplights and at city speeds"  -caranddriver.com

Ford has incorporated two different motors for the 2020 Ecosport lineup. The first one is a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder unit that is coupled with a front-wheel drivetrain only. This motor churns out a maximum power of 123 hp @ 6000 rpm and a torque output of 125 ft-lbs. @ 3500 rpm. Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, this 1.0L motor feels too stressed while doing highway speeds. Furthermore, due to the small displacement of the engine, the transmission is short geared and stays busy even with the slightest of variations in the throttle inputs.

The other powertrain option on the cards is a more frugal, 2.0-liter, inline-four engine that is offered with Ford’s intelligent 4WD system as standard. This engine punches out a maximum power of 166 hp @ 6500 rpm and 149 ft-lbs. @ 4500 rpm of torque and comes mated with the same 6-speed automatic drivetrain. This motor packs a good punch and attempting those overtakes is just a piece of cake. Though it offers less mileage, it is the better choice out of the two especially if you are going to spend most of the time cruising on highways.

Speaking of the competition, the Mazda CX-3 comes the closest in terms of power to the Ford but still falls short of it by some margin. The Honda and the Chevy come in at 3rd and 4th place respectively and are closely matched in terms of power.

Acceleration

Talking about the acceleration figures, the Ecosport manages to clear the 60MPH barrier in 10.4 seconds and completes the quarter-mile dash in just 16.5 seconds. The competition manages to beat the Ford easily by good margins and in terms of emissions as well.

The power delivery is, otherwise, linear and composed as compared to its competition. The gearbox also takes its own sweet time to decide the correct gear, unlike its DSG rivals that are quicker and slicker than the former.

The 0-60 dash is best performed by the Mazda CX-3 as it takes the least time to achieve the feat. The Chevy Trax comes in second while the Honda HR-V rakes in the third spot. The Ford redeems itself in the quarter-mile runs, as it just tails the leader - the CX-3 fo the second spot, while Chevy and Honda are tied for the 3rd spot.

Braking

The 2020 Ecosport might be overpowered by the competition in terms of acceleration figures, but it manages to return back into the game with its impressive braking performance. It sports one of the biggest brake rotors in the segment, explaining its priority, which is the safety of occupants. It can come to a halt from 60 MPH in just 125 ft which is impressive for a vehicle ticking the weighing scales over 3000 pounds.

Being the heaviest vehicle of the lot, the Ecosport's brake pedal is on the squishier side. It travels more than normal before giving any feedback to the driver. Furthermore, since the Ecosport is inclined more towards comfort, its soft suspension setup enables a hard dive under heavy braking applications.

Talking about the rivals, the Mazda CX-3 takes the top honors for the braking performance while the Chevrolet Trax comes quite close with the second position. The Ford Ecosport manages to squeeze in the 3rd spot while the Honda HR-V comes in last.

Ride and Handling

With 2020, the Ford Ecosport has been blessed with a better, more reliable suspension setup that improves the ride quality drastically. It offers more feedback and keeps the car organized even while attacking curves. However, it does compromise with the composure of the vehicle on harsh roads. Though small undulations are restricted out of the cabin, some big humps get quite prominent. Apart from this hiccup, we think that the suspension part is well sorted for now. In fact, the new Ecosport is now more stable and responsive at high speeds, and the stiffened suspension setup doesn't affect its mild-offroad capabilities either.

The steering setup, however, could use some more feedback. It feels disconnected from the road and is too light even at spirited speeds. On unleashing all the horses in one go, the steering is subjected to some torque steer because of the wheelspin, that could scare you off for a minute there. However, it will grow on you in a while and you'll be looking for reasons to do it again, and again. Yes, it is that addictive.

The compact proportions of the Ecosport yield its advantages while squeezing through city traffic but loses out on the ride quality. The big 17” wheels add to the stiff ride quality as compared to the other rivals in the segment. This, however, also translates to more stability while cornering through winding roads as the body roll is minimized while the tires grip well and not lose out on traction. The 16-inchers are better if you are more of a polite driver.

The new Ford EcoSport offers an impressive fuel economy of 27 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. With a combined mileage of 28 MPG, the Ecosport lines up with the segment standards, if not better.

The Mazda CX-3, with an overall mileage of 31 kmpl, emerges as the crown-bearer in this regard. Considering the overall fuel economy figures, the other three contenders line up head to head. The Ecosport, however, guzzles more fuel than the rest in terms of highway fuel economy. 

"We love the big cargo area and configurable load floor"  -kbb.com

Seating and Comfort

The 2020 EcoSport's interior has already been seen in a lot of other Fords as well. While it may not be a new scenery for you, the SES trim brings along a special treatment to the same. With some copper-colored inserts on the dashboard, it screams exclusivity as even the top-trim "Titanium" doesn't get that privilege. Having said that, the rest of the interiors including the infotainment remains pretty familiar to its siblings.

While the Ecosport might not stand apart with its interior design language, its seating and comfort factor does set it apart in the segment. The front seats have been given a premium treatment as they are wrapped in premium leather and also feature heating functions. The driver seat also flaunts a 6-way power-adjustable seats that further help in finding an optimal driving position for you. The front passenger seat isn't behind either, it flaunts a 4-way power-adjustabliity as well. There is loads of room all around and you won't mind spending hours on these seats.

The rear seats are not far behind either. Yes getting on to them could be a task as the Ecosport sits pretty high from the ground. However, once past this hurdle, you'll be hugged with sheer comfort from the rear seats. The extension of the center console in the middle could get troublesome for the middle passenger at the rear but other than that we barely have any complaints with the rear seating of the Ecosport. There is loads of room here too and the large windows also help in imparting an airy feel to the cabin. There is also an optional moonroof on offer, which can further add extra points to the airy forte of the cabin.

In terms of passenger volume, the Ecosport is not really the best here, in fact, it could only manage to defeat the Mazda CX-3 in this comparison. It's the Honda HR-V that overshadows everyone in terms of the space inside the cabin, by miles. The second to it is the Chevrolet Trax with its 93.0 cu.ft of passenger volume that earns it the second position.

Cargo and Towing Capacity

Flaunting its utilitarian counterpart proudly, the 2020 Ecosport can carry luggage equivalent to 20.9 cu. ft of volume behind the second row of seats. This feat sets it apart from most of its rivals as they are dwarfed by the Ecosport for the most part. However, a handful of rivals like the Honda HR-V still offer better figures in this regard, but then the Ecosport also has more power than the former, which keeps the latter alive even under heavy loads. There is also a storage shelf under the cargo floor that can cover and hold the more delicate items in place as shown in the image below.

Although 20.9 cu.ft should be enough, if you need more, then you also have the provision to fold the rear seats down-flat to unveil a massive flatbed behind the first row of seats. All of that in just a press of a button. So much for a utilitarian!  

Furthermore, if the space inside the vehicle doesn't quench your thirst, then the versatile nature of the 2020 Ecosport allows it to haul loads up to 2000 lbs behind it. While this number might not be very impressive, we think that it is good enough for a compact crossover.

Even in the subcompact attire, Ford EcoSport has a generous cargo space. Honda HR-V is among the segment’s spacious entries, the Mazda CX-3 is the smallest, and the Ford EcoSport falls closer alongside the Chevy Trax. In terms of towing capacity, EcoSport's towing capacity of 2000 lbs is similar to the rivals like Chevy Trax and Honda HR-V. Meanwhile, Mazda CX-3 offers the maximum towing capacity of 2645 lbs which is highest among these competitors.

Infotainment Features

Once you enter into the 2020 EcoSport, you’ll notice a floating display panel comprising of 8-inch touchscreen that engages Ford’s latest Sync 3 multimedia system. This feature is standard on the Titanium and SES models. The lower trims get either a 4-inch or 6-inch screen mounted on the center console with Sync3 as an option. The B&O Play is standard on the Titanium trim, a 675-watt premium audio system, including 10 speakers and a subwoofer.

Some other features of the infotainment system include:

• Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility
• 2 USB ports and one 12-volt outlet in the front
• 675-watt B&O Play audio system with 10 speakers
• 8” Touchscreen System with Navigation
• Ford Pass connect
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot
• Sirius XM satellite radio

Interior Features

The interior of the Ecosport has also been blessed with a plethora of features pertaining to the occupants and the driver as well. Some of its outstanding features are:

• Heated front seats
• 6-way powered driver's seat and 4-way powered front passenger's seat
• Voice control with Amazon Alexa
• Available power moonroof with sunshade
• Eight cup-holders
• Ambient lighting system
• Heated leather-wrapped steering wheel with chrome inserts
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror

The EcoSport wears hatchback duds and lifts them to almost cartoonish SUV heights-Thecarconnection.com

Design and Dimensions

The 2020 Ford EcoSport has been revised thoroughly as the latest upmarket model. The front grille has been moved up enhancing the overall looks than before. Ford’s iconic blue oval is located in the center now. The headlamp unit comprises of projector beams and redesigned LED daytime running lights. The big and round fog lamps now add more visual mass. Overall, the new EcoSport gets a more SUV-esque stance.

Moving to the rear, you will notice spare wheels still mounted on the tailgate. Ford believes that consumers like the placement of the spare wheel on the rear gate as it adds to the sporty appeal of the SUV. There is not much change in the rear and it looks very similar to its predecessor. The Ecosport comes with wheels made up of complete Aluminum that provide ultimate traction along narrow corners. The upper trims also offer 18-inch wheels that are good for highway driving. Even Mazda CX-3 offer bigger and better wheels, giving tough competition to the EcoSport.

Despite being the smallest vehicle of the lot, the Ecosport manages to keep up with the segment in terms of wheelbase, translating to a more spacious cabin than expected. However, it is still overshadowed by its rivals that offer more wheelbase. The largest vehicle of the lot, the Honda HR-V, yet again wins this competition, hands down. It is then closely followed by the Mazda CX-3 leaving the Chevy Trax for the third position.

Exterior Features

Although there haven't been many updates to the Ecosport's exterior, some of the highlights that enhance its stance on the road are:

• Halogen Quad-Beam Projector Headlights with LED Signature Lighting
• Rain-Sensing Wipers
• Fog Lights
• Black/ Silver Roof Rails
• Heated and Powered Exterior ORVM’s
• Chrome grill

As an improvement over last year, the 2020 Ecosport comes with a lot more features as compared to the 2018 version. The competition offers a bit more standard safety features and we expect Ford to follow the same lines. However, when it comes to build quality, the 2020 Ecosport has been awarded "4 stars" by NHTSA in the crash tests. That said, some of the key highlights of the safety features are as follows:

• Driver and Front Passenger Airbags
• Driver and Front Passenger Knee Airbags
• Front and Second Row side airbags
• Side curtain airbags
• Emergency brake assist system
• LATCH in rear seats
• Tire Pressure Monitoring system
• Remote Keyless Entry with Ford MyKey

Ford Ecosport vs. Honda HR-V

It all depends on your own personal preference when it comes choosing between the 2020 Ford Ecosport and the 2020 Honda HR-V. The Honda leads the pack when it comes to offering the most space on the inside for passengers and also beats the Ecosport in terms of fuel economy. The Ecosport, on the other hand, is technologically far more superior, when compared to the Honda and offers much better performance. So if you want a family hauler, the Honda should be your choice. For everything else, it’s the Ecosport.

Ford Ecosport vs. Chevrolet Trax

The Chevy Trax comes out on top in this head-to-head comparison with the Ford EcoSport. Though it may be costlier than the EcoSport, the Trax justifies its ratings through a more spacious interior, high-tech features, and better power figures. The Ecosport is not that bad though. It looks sportier than the Trax and has a far better infotainment system than the Chevy. However, both these vehicles share too many similarities, but EcoSport adds some little extra touches that make the driving experience more dynamic and enjoyable.

Ford Ecosport vs. Mazda CX-3

The Mazda CX-3 has been one of the most popular cars in the segment, courtesy of its powerful and fuel-efficient motor, coupled with superb driving dynamics. The CX-3 manages to offer a higher sense of space on the inside when compared to the Ecosport and also surpasses it when it comes to performance. It is also less expensive than the latter. The Ford, on the other hand, offers a far superior experience on the infotainment front and feels a lot more upmarket, in terms of the design.

Riding on the success of the Ecosport in the developing markets, Ford decided to replicate the same in the US as well. The Ecosport does compromise on the quality of the interiors but in terms of the space, it is at par and better than some of its rivals. In terms of look as well, the Ecosport feels like a big SUV rather than a compact one. So, if you are in the market to not shell out a lot of money for a vehicle that can take you off-road, has a superb infotainment system and sporty ride, the Ford Ecosport is the one to go for.

FAQs

Is Ford Ecosport an SUV?

For a 5-seater vehicle sitting 7.0-inches above the ground and offering AWD system, we think it is safe to say that the Ford Ecosport checks everything to be qualified as an SUV.

Is the Ford Ecosport electric?

As of now, there is no electric variant on offer for the 2020 Ecosport.

Does Ford Ecosport have a navigation system?

Yes, the Ecosport comes equipped with the Sirius XM Satellite Navigation system as standard on the top two trims. For more information on the features and specifications of the Ecosport, please click here.

Does the Ford Ecosport come with a warranty?

Yes, the 2020 Ecosport is backed by a 3-year/36,000 mile warranty. For more information on the warranty front, please refer to the features tab on the top of this review.