2020 Ford EcoSport vs Toyota C-HR
Subcompact sport utility vehicles were just a gleam in an auto designers eye a decade or two ago. Now they’re a quickly expanding segment with over a dozen brand offerings to choose from. People like small SUVs because they have a more rugged look, better power, and a higher vantage point than sedans but still benefit from a smaller shadow and better fuel economy than larger SUVs. In this comparison guide, we aim to help you make a choice between two similar small SUVs: the new 2020 Ford EcoSport and the Toyota C-HR. Let’s dive in.
Price: 2020 Ford EcoSport
The ‘eco’ in EcoSport stands for economical, and it’s easy to see why. This Ford SUV starts at just $19,995, a steal for a brand-new sport utility vehicle. For that price, the standard features include a SYNC infotainment interface, 4.2-inch display, two USB ports, six-speaker audio system, four-way manually adjustable front seats, new-for-2020 Wi-Fi hotspot, the MyKey driver system, and rearview camera.
The Toyota C-HR starts at $21,100, or just over $1.1K more than the base EcoSport. The C-HR offers more tech, like a bigger touchscreen (8-inch), Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, satellite radio, remote keyless entry, LED headlights, and heated side mirrors, but not as many USB ports. Take a look at the features and determine if they’re worth the higher sticker price.
Towing: 2020 Ford EcoSport
Though they may be on the smaller side, the Ford EcoSport and Toyota C-HR are still sport utility vehicles, right? They both look the part, but only one plays the part in this category. That’s right. The 2020 Ford EcoSport tows up to 2,000 pounds when properly equipped, which is very good for this class of SUV. On the other hand, Toyota C-HR doesn’t have a tow rating at all, so forget attaching a light trailer or small U-Haul hookup to the back.
Cargo Room: 2020 Ford EcoSport
While passenger room is almost a virtual tie between the Ford EcoSport and Toyota C-HR, cargo size is another matter. The 2020 EcoSport has 20.9 cubic feet of storage room behind the back seats. The rear row partially folds flat with a 60/40 split, opening up to a total of 50 cubes of cargo room. In case you’re wondering, yes, that's more than most SUVs this size. Take note that the Ford EcoSport has a quirky feature--the rear gate swings to the side instead of up. It’s something to think about when parallel parking or going to a tailgate party.
If you live or work in the Fayetteville area, come down to LaFayette Ford, and you can test drive one and see whether or not you can see yourself driving an EcoSport home.