Ford kept its word by revealing a U.S. version of the pint-sized crossover, the EcoSport, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. But we wish they didn't because it looks positively awkward in the metal, despite being bedazzled with Titanium trim.
America does in indeed need cheaper crossovers, as the Kuga can push past $30,000 with ease. But does the alternative have to be so small and ugly?
To be honest, this isn't the EcoSport's fault. It was originally designed and built in Brazil to be a cheap car. So it has a tailgate that swings to the side, which is not ideal in urban areas.
Because Ford needed a competitor for the popular Renault Captur and Opel Mokka, it shoehorned the EcoSport into a new role and started making it in India as well. Speaking of which, all the units that are coming to the U.S. will be made in India, while Europe will soon get localized production.
At the front, the EcoSport gets triangular headlights, and a Ford Escape inspired grille. However, we'd put it at the top of our list of worst facelifts in 2016, right next to the Skoda Octavia. We only need to look at competitors like the cheap Chevrolet Trax or Honda HR-V to see where Ford has gone wrong. And the EcoSport definitely can't be mentioned in the same sentence as the Fiat 500X or Mazda CX-3 - it's that bad.
Thankfully, Ford's interior designers have done a much better job. They fitted a tablet-like screen on top of the dash, complete with SYNC 3. There are also color highlights that you can pick to match the paint.
Two engines will be available. Most of the cheaper units will use the 1.0-liter EcoBoost from the Fiesta in combination with a Powershift gearbox and front-wheel-drive. Only the SES and Titanium trim levels will power all four wheels by using a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter. Pricing and details have yet to be announced, which is not surprising for a 2018 model year vehicle.
To be honest, this isn't the EcoSport's fault. It was originally designed and built in Brazil to be a cheap car. So it has a tailgate that swings to the side, which is not ideal in urban areas.
Because Ford needed a competitor for the popular Renault Captur and Opel Mokka, it shoehorned the EcoSport into a new role and started making it in India as well. Speaking of which, all the units that are coming to the U.S. will be made in India, while Europe will soon get localized production.
At the front, the EcoSport gets triangular headlights, and a Ford Escape inspired grille. However, we'd put it at the top of our list of worst facelifts in 2016, right next to the Skoda Octavia. We only need to look at competitors like the cheap Chevrolet Trax or Honda HR-V to see where Ford has gone wrong. And the EcoSport definitely can't be mentioned in the same sentence as the Fiat 500X or Mazda CX-3 - it's that bad.
Thankfully, Ford's interior designers have done a much better job. They fitted a tablet-like screen on top of the dash, complete with SYNC 3. There are also color highlights that you can pick to match the paint.
Two engines will be available. Most of the cheaper units will use the 1.0-liter EcoBoost from the Fiesta in combination with a Powershift gearbox and front-wheel-drive. Only the SES and Titanium trim levels will power all four wheels by using a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter. Pricing and details have yet to be announced, which is not surprising for a 2018 model year vehicle.