Used 2020 Ford EcoSport

#11 in Best Subcompact SUVs of 2020

In the world of subcompact-crossover SUVs, the 2020 Ford EcoSport is a bit of a unicorn. It is powered by a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine that is neither terribly powerful nor fuel efficient, and it doesn’t offer many of the driver-assist systems now standard on most of its competitors. Buyers can opt for a more powerful 2.0-liter engine, but only on models with all-wheel drive. The EcoSport looks sharp, with traditional Ford family SUV DNA and a side-hinged rear door that makes loading from a city sidewalk a lot easier. Still, up against the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-3, the EcoSport may have a tough time convincing buyers why they should pay the same money for less content.

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The 2020 Ford EcoSport is one of the few subcompact SUVs to offer a choice of engines. Based on power-to-weight ratios, it’s understandable why EcoSport models with the smaller, 3-cylinder EcoBoost are among the slower entries in the segment. There is noticeable turbo lag upon acceleration from a stop, and power doesn’t really come on strong until the revs pass 2,000 rpm.

Models fitted with the 166-horsepower 4-cylinder engine have a bit more power on hand, but fuel economy suffers greatly. Fuel economy for the smaller engine is about average at 28 mpg combined, while the larger engine’s 25 mpg combined places it in the bottom half of the segment.

Where the EcoSport shines brightest is on twisting roads. The suspension and steering deliver a performance on par with the Mazda CX-3, making this one of the best-handling subcompacts on the market. The ride, however, can get a bit choppy over rough pavement, and interior noise levels are also quite noticeable.

We have mixed feeling regarding the 2020 Ford EcoSport interior. A big thumbs-up goes to the spacious cargo hold with its configurable load floor and its ease of use thanks to the side-opening rear hatch door. However, to attain a level floor, the seat bottoms must first be flipped up. Move further forward and you’ll find a cramped rear seat with a somewhat upright seating position. The front seats sit high and offer good comfort, but thick A-pillars and a narrow rear window somewhat inhibit the view. The EcoSport’s handsome cabin could do with a few more soft-touch surfaces on the doors, dash and center console. Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system works well, with a large 8-inch touch screen that is easy to view and operate.

Looking like a squashed version of the larger Ford Escape, the 2020 EcoSport is an attractive vehicle, imparting a more rugged SUV look than the Hyundai Kona or Toyota C-HR. The EcoSport rides high, giving drivers a commanding view of the road, yet its swing-out rear door and low liftover height make it easy to load gear or groceries. Speaking of that swing-out door, we found it made loading the vehicle from a curb or sidewalk much easier, but proved difficult when space directly behind the vehicle was limited by another car.

SYNC 3 INFOTAINMENT
Along with its 8-inch touch screen and FordPass Connect apps, the Sync 3 system quickly and capably connects with your hand-held devices, allowing seamless integration with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa and Waze navigation.

RESPONSIVE STEERING
A small SUV should be fun to drive, and although the 2020 EcoSport SUV isn’t quick, it does carve through corners like a knife through a Thanksgiving Day turkey. A tight turning radius, responsive steering and good on-center feel make maneuvering this little SUV a joy.

The entry-level 2020 Ford EcoSport S includes a 3-cylinder turbocharged engine, a rearview camera, power windows, power locks, air conditioning, cruise control, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, AM/FM/MP3 Sync audio with six speakers, a W-Fi hotspot, FordPass Connect, 16-inch painted wheels, MyKey and a rear wiper/washer.

The SE trim adds a power moonroof, Sync 3, 8-inch touch screen, automatic climate control, heated front seats, a power-driver’s seat and the Reverse Sensing System, while the Titanium brings the B&O premium audio system, navigation, rain-sensing wipers, leather seating surfaces plus heated mirrors and steering wheel. The SES includes the 2.0-liter engine, all-wheel drive, blind-spot warning and a sport-tuned suspension.

Optional on all models is all-wheel drive, which also brings the 2.0-liter engine (standard on SES) with auto stop/start. Most other options are bundled into trim-specific packages and include voice-activated navigation, blind-spot warning, ambient lighting, 110-volt outlet, 17-inch wheels, keyless entry pad and a portable rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

Ford’s EcoSport subcompact SUV for 2020 is powered by a choice of two engines. Standard on front-drive (FWD) models is a 1.3-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged engine good for 123 horsepower. This engine isn’t particularly smooth or powerful, but it does return respectable fuel-economy figures. A normally aspirated 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine better suited to the needs of the EcoSport powers all-wheel-drive (AWD) models. Rated at 166 horsepower, this engine provides the EcoSport with a 2,000-pound tow rating. Both engines are fitted to a 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission.

1.0-liter turbocharged (EcoBoost) inline-3 (FWD)
123 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
125 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 27/29 mpg

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