2020 Ford EcoSport
The Ford EcoSport has a touch of Brazilianness in it. Little features like a rear door that swings on left-side hinges give it away. So, if you’re looking for something a bit different, the EcoSport might be just the thing. In this preview guide, we take a look at the EcoSport, now entering its junior year, while also telling you what to expect for 2020.
What’s New for 2020?
This would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, but a Wi-Fi hotspot is now standard on all EcoSport trims thanks to FordPass Connect. The same technology allows you to lock and unlock your vehicle with your paired smartphone. In other news, the 6.5-inch touchscreen was increased to 8 inches, reducing the urge to pinch and expand and the tendency to fat finger your selection.
Affordability
The “Eco” in EcoSport stands for economical, and getting a sport utility vehicle for $20,485, we’re inclined to agree. That’s definitely starter-car territory, but with enough features and quality of make and feel to rise above. Standard features include a SYNC infotainment interface, 4.2-inch display, two USB ports, and six-speaker audio system. Cloth upholstery, four-way manually adjustable front seats, MyKey driver system, rearview camera, and that Wi-Fi hotspot we mentioned earlier also come standard.
All-wheel drive is available at every trim level, as is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And we certainly recommend that smartphone connectivity, along with the SYNC 3 infotainment upgrade. Given that, we recommend the EcoSport SE, the next trim level up. The SE comes with those features, plus heated front seats, six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, automatic climate control, moonroof, push-button start, proximity keyless entry, satellite radio, fog lights, and rear parking sensors. All that for only about $3,000 more.
Infotainment
If you do spring for the SYNC3 infotainment system, you’ll find a fast, reliable, responsive, and intuitive device. We find the graphics to be top-notch, and the menus are clean and make sense. Those are crucial features when you’re trying to keep your eyes on the road or need to get directions before the traffic light changes. Better yet, on just about every trim level, there’s a touchscreen that’s at least 8 inches.
One of the things we like best about the Ford EcoSport is its cargo space. Remember that the door swing open on a side hinge, a fact that’s important to keep in mind when parallel parking. Once you open the rear hatch, there’s 20.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. The back row folds perfectly flat with a 60/40 split, providing 50 cubic feet of space. And, in case you were wondering, that is a generous amount in this class. You’re going to be hard pressed to find anything better in this size and for this price.