2022 Ford EcoSport SUV

　　

2022 Ford EcoSport Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　The 2022 Ford EcoSport is an extra-small crossover and Ford's most affordable SUV. Slotting under the larger Ford Escape, the EcoSport is only a few inches longer than the old Ford Fiesta hatchback. While that sounds small, the EcoSport actually has a reasonable amount of cargo and passenger space for its size. Ford updated the EcoSport just last year with slightly refreshed interior styling as well as additional features for some trims. For 2022, the EcoSport gets some changes under the hood, namely it drops the base turbocharged engine. We're fine with that since the EcoSport's base engine was anemic and struggled when loaded with passengers. More notably, all EcoSport models now come standard with all-wheel drive.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Ford EcoSport S 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$149/mo  for EcoSport S

　　EcoSport S

　　S 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A) - $22,040 MSRPSE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $25,510 MSRPSES 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A) - $28,205 MSRPTitanium 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A) - $28,395 MSRP

　　vs

　　$167/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　When the EcoSport debuted in the U.S. in 2018, there were only a handful of offerings in this class. That's changed significantly, with new and excellent entries such as the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Mazda CX-30 and Volkswagen Taos. Some of zzdcar' other favorites include the Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos and Subaru Crosstrek. If your heart is set on a Ford, check out the larger Escape. It's a much newer and more refined vehicle than the EcoSport for not too much more money. It even gets better fuel economy than its little sibling. The EcoSport might be affordable, but it feels far behind the times. Check out our Expert Rating below for our test team's complete report.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Below Average

　　6.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

6.0/10

　　How does the EcoSport drive? The three-cylinder engine is woefully underpowered. Even with the turbocharger spooled up, it takes a long time to bring the EcoSport up to highway speeds. In zzdcar' testing, 0-60 mph took 11.4 seconds — one of the slowest paces in the segment. Further slowing things down is the automatic transmission's indecisive nature.

　　The EcoSport doesn't exhibit much body roll when going around turns, though ultimate handling grip is modest due to the economy-oriented tires. Steering feel is abysmal — it feels as though the steering wheel is connected to the tires with ony a large rubber band. It's a strange sensation that's hard to get accustomed to. A firm push on the brake pedal is required for stopping power.

　　

Comfort

7.0/10

　　How comfortable is the EcoSport? Though the side bolsters aren't very wide, they manage to secure front passengers in fast turns. The seat bottoms are firm and comfy, but the seatbacks feel flat as boards. The rear seats are similarly flat and shapeless. Ride comfort isn't much better. The EcoSport's ride is choppy and bumpy on most surfaces. It handles road undulations well, but it still gets bounced around by the sharper impacts of bad pavement.

　　More positively, the automatic climate control works well and the seat heaters get hot quickly. Road and wind noise is hushed, but you do get a little bit of engine noise, though the three-cylinder sounds surprisingly good.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below