Ford Throws Its Hat Into Subcompact Crossover Ring With 2018 EcoSport

My hands shall remain clean and unsullied by Ecosport ownership, thank you very much!

Not bad but not great looking. I think the CX-3 looks best in the segment still.

I hope the 1.0T has enough ass to lug around a less aerodynamic CUV as opposed to a car. I would bet the 2.0 will be the volume engine as it just sounds better suited.

Damn, that's ugly!! Hard pass.

15 minutes ago, Frisky Dingo said:

Damn, that's ugly!! Hard pass.

Could not agree more!

You know what would sell me? This right here...

You have no idea how much superior a side opening tailgate is compared to a lift back until you own both.  The side opening hatch on my old CR-V is sooooo much better than the Encore liftback for loading and unloading stuff. 

5 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

You know what would sell me? This right here...

You have no idea how much superior a side opening tailgate is compared to a lift back until you own both.  The side opening hatch on my old CR-V is sooooo much better than the Encore liftback for loading and unloading stuff. 

 

Really? Why is it that much better?

I noticed it and thought it was a really neat/different feature but I didn't really know why they would do that? Or what the benefit of a swinging hatch or a liftgate.

2 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Really? Why is it that much better?

I noticed it and thought it was a really neat/different feature but I didn't really know why they would do that? Or what the benefit of a swinging hatch or a liftgate.

Honestly, I have a hard time quantifying it.  Keep in mind use my Honda for doing maintence work at my apartment buildings, so I'm always hauling tool boxes, supplies, etc. in it. It's just easier to do in the Honda than any of the liftbacks.  It's not something I can really explain... it's just something I live with. 

The swing gate is a big drawback for people who live in the city and have to often parallel park.

My Rav has a swinging hatch, and I like it. It's something that would make or break a vehicle purchase for me, though.

19 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Honestly, I have a hard time quantifying it.  Keep in mind use my Honda for doing maintence work at my apartment buildings, so I'm always hauling tool boxes, supplies, etc. in it. It's just easier to do in the Honda than any of the liftbacks.  It's not something I can really explain... it's just something I live with. 

I could see the ups and downs to it. The thing that I wouldn't like is just parking in general in a parking lot. I feel like there isn't enough room for somebody to park behind you and open your tailgate.

I think it really depends on the owners' needs and what they use it for.

3 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

I could see the ups and downs to it. The thing that I wouldn't like is just parking in general in a parking lot. I feel like there isn't enough room for somebody to park behind you and open your tailgate.

I think it really depends on the owners' needs and what they use it for.

Yeah, if you know you're going to be loading stuff up at Home Depot, you need to remember to park ass out... but it is a small price to pay for the overall convenience. 

6 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

I could see the ups and downs to it. The thing that I wouldn't like is just parking in general in a parking lot. I feel like there isn't enough room for somebody to park behind you and open your tailgate.

I think it really depends on the owners' needs and what they use it for.

This is why I liked the tail gates on 1960's and 1970's station wagons.

They would often open either way....made for good tailgating before a football game!

5 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

You know what would sell me? This right here...

You have no idea how much superior a side opening tailgate is compared to a lift back until you own both.  The side opening hatch on my old CR-V is sooooo much better than the Encore liftback for loading and unloading stuff. 

 

But the Lift Back keeps you protected from the Rain and Snow according to GM!

The best tailgate that I believe GM and FORD used was the split stagecoach door minis with a lift gate glass section.

This is what I think is the best access for all CUVs & SUVs.

I wish my Suburban and Escalade had this kind of rear end opening.

I've definitely stood under mine for a few extra seconds preparing to get rained on. 

One of my Explorers had a lift open window in addition to the hatch.  Very, very useful.  Wish they would bring it back.  It was great, if someone parked so close that they touched your bumper, you could still put your groceries in the back. And best part is, they don't roll out when you open the whole hatch.  And then there is the functional use, where lumber or such could hang out with the hatch closed.  Very cool.

If the EcoSport had an opening glass, that would be very useful.  Does it?  Can anyone confirm it does not, on the Eu model?

More awkwardly proportioned than the GM mini utes.  Love the blackout package though... and that back door is fantastic.  Easier to open and close than a hatch... can be safely opened in a garage without hitting the garage door opener track, etc etc...

Seems like my predictions for this were true... the removal of the spare tire (if it has one) from the back door... and a naturally aspirated engine.  woot

3 hours ago, Wings4Life said:

 

One of my Explorers had a lift open window in addition to the hatch.  Very, very useful.  Wish they would bring it back.

 

I wish my Escape had that! The last gen Escapes had that and I think it is a great idea.

3 hours ago, ocnblu said:

More awkwardly proportioned than the GM mini utes.  Love the blackout package though... and that back door is fantastic.  Easier to open and close than a hatch... can be safely opened in a garage without hitting the garage door opener track, etc etc...

 

Seems like my predictions for this were true... the removal of the spare tire (if it has one) from the back door... and a naturally aspirated engine.  woot

But can it be opened with the garage door closed? 

So many advantages and disadvantages of the swinging door. I'm kind of up in the air about it as of now. 

6 hours ago, ccap41 said:

I wish my Escape had that! The last gen Escapes had that and I think it is a great idea.

But can it be opened with the garage door closed? 

So many advantages and disadvantages of the swinging door. I'm kind of up in the air about it as of now. 

Vehicle itself is only 4 feet long, so yes, it should open in a closed garage.

2 hours ago, ocnblu said:

Vehicle itself is only 4 feet long, so yes, it should open in a closed garage.

Visually it does have the proportions of a Smart car or Fiat 500....I find myself alternately loving and hating these small eggs on wheels.

2 hours ago, ocnblu said:

Vehicle itself is only 4 feet long, so yes, it should open in a closed garage.

I guess for some reason I was thinking Escape and not the EcoSport. Or just anything larger would have troubles opening in a closed garage.

2 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

I guess for some reason I was thinking Escape and not the EcoSport. Or just anything larger would have troubles opening in a closed garage.

As a guy who lives in a city and often has to parallel park or park in tight situations, i am actually liking the number of shorter vehicles that car makers are bringing out.

My thoughts on it...

Baby Escape (not a bad thing since I like the new Escape quite a bit)

Coming built from India (why Ford, with these tarted up should pull a nice profit here in the US) Though my gut tells me Ford is either treating this like an A) Fad or B) Risk because they are not sure how will do here.

With the way it looks, people are going to be able to do things with this thing..and having friends overseas who are laughing that folks will try to put this trucklet to use here...It is TINY. Great for grandma or a trip to the mall, useless for anything else....

On 11/15/2016 at 3:46 PM, dfelt said:

But the Lift Back keeps you protected from the Rain and Snow according to GM!

The best tailgate that I believe GM and FORD used was the split stagecoach door minis with a lift gate glass section.

This is what I think is the best access for all CUVs & SUVs.

I wish my Suburban and Escalade had this kind of rear end opening.

The Ford Flex had the same setup in certain trims. That was my favorite feature of it.