Used 2022 Ford EcoSport

The Ford EcoSport is an often-overlooked option in subcompact crossover SUVs. The smallest SUV in the Ford lineup has a few things going for it, like standard all-wheel drive, a quirky swing-out tailgate, great maneuverability on city streets, and easy parking manners thanks to its small footprint.

Ford has confirmed that 2022 will be the final model year for the EcoSport in the U.S. This little SUV has a hard time keeping up with formidable rivals in this segment like the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Mazda CX-30, and Hyundai Kona.

It’s not that the EcoSport is bad; it’s just that most of its rivals are more modern with nicer interiors and better tech features. That said, the EcoSport remains a good value for someone looking for a small, practical crossover with standard AWD.

The Ford EcoSport is a pretty fun little SUV to drive. The standard engine is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that’s decently muscular for a base engine in this class. The handling and steering are on the sporty side — especially with the sport-tuned suspension in the SES trim — making it fun around city streets and on twisty roads. However, the ride is a little harsh on rough roads.

Standard all-wheel drive improves the all-weather traction of the Ford EcoSport, but it isn’t much of an off-roader. If you like the idea of a subcompact SUV with good off-road capabilities, consider the Jeep Renegade or Subaru Crosstrek.

You might be stopping at the gas station more often than you expected for a small SUV like this. It’s typical for all-wheel drive to come with a fuel economy penalty compared to front-wheel drive. Still, even compared to class rivals with AWD and similar horsepower ratings, the EcoSport isn’t very fuel-efficient. It’s one of the only SUVs in this class that can’t achieve 30 mpg on the highway. Even the bigger Ford Escape is more efficient with AWD with any of its engine options.

The inside of the Ford EcoSport is nice enough for this price point, but it’s nothing special. This car came out internationally back in 2012, so it feels like an older Ford model on the inside. The front seats are reasonably roomy and comfortable, but the back seats are a bit tight. The cargo hold is quite roomy for this class, so it’s good if you carry a lot of cargo but don’t have back-seat passengers regularly.

Visibility is a bit of an issue in the EcoSport. Thick A-pillars on either side of the windshield force you to do some leaning to see around corners, and the rear window is small.

The standard infotainment system in this interior is very dated. We highly recommend upgrading to the available SYNC 3 system, which comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Other nice available interior features include navigation, Bang & Olufsen premium audio, and a power moonroof.

The Ford EcoSport has a cute exterior that can change a bit depending on the trim. The sporty SES trim adds tasteful black trim, while the Titanium model has more of a premium look. Whichever one you go with, you’re getting a nice-looking little SUV with a touch of rugged charm.

One of our favorite features of the EcoSport is the unique swing-out tailgate. It’s hinged on the side rather than the top, so it opens like a regular car door.

The EcoSport is small, even by subcompact SUV standards. It’s smaller than the Mazda CX-30, Jeep Renegade, and Chevy Trailblazer and about the same size as the Hyundai Venue and Kia Soul, but a bit taller.

SWING-OUT TAILGATE
The unique swing-out tailgate is an interesting quirk that you won’t find on the EcoSport’s rivals.

STANDARD AWD
All-wheel drive comes standard on every 2022 EcoSport, providing confidence-inspiring traction on slippery roads.

Standard features in the base S model of the Ford EcoSport are pretty spartan, even by the standards of this low price point. However, we do like the standard 4-cylinder engine with all-wheel drive.

Standard features include 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, cruise control, a trip computer, a backup camera, and  an AM/FM radio with an aux jack, Bluetooth, and two USB ports.

Upgrading to the mid-range SE trim adds some creature comforts to the EcoSport. Features include fog lights, a power moonroof, a cargo management system, automatic climate control, heated front seats, and rear parking sensors.

An available SE Convenience Package builds on the SE trim with a 110V power outlet, ambient interior lighting, blind-spot monitoring, 7-speaker audio, and navigation.

Every EcoSport except the S trim has the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch screen loaded with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This is a considerable upgrade over the dated system in the base trim.

The SES trim adds the contents of the SE Convenience Package as standard equipment plus a sporty appearance package with black trim, a heated steering wheel, ActiveX simulated leather seats, an auto-dimming mirror, rain-sensing wipers, and a sport-tuned suspension.

Finally, the upscale Titanium trim adds a touch of luxury to the EcoSport. Feature content is similar to the SES model minus the sport suspension and black trim. It adds unique 17-inch premium wheels, tasteful chrome exterior trim, ActiveX seats with mini perforation, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker premium audio, HD Radio, and a perimeter alarm.

The sole engine option powering the Ford EcoSport is a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-4. This engine is pretty strong for a base engine in this class, but some rivals have more powerful turbocharged options. All-wheel drive is standard on every trim.

Even considering standard AWD, the EcoSport returns subpar fuel economy for this class.

2.0-liter inline-4
166 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
149 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/29 mpg