2018 EcoSport

After years of selling on other continents, the newish Ford EcoSport (pronounced “echo” not “ee-koh”) has been tinkered with slightly and is finally coming to North America. The first Canadian models should be ready this December or January 2018.

Buyers can choose from four trims. From base to best, there’s S, SE, SES, Titanium. There’s also a choice of front-wheel drive (FWD) and intelligent four-wheel drive (4WD). Canadians love 4WD as much as doughnuts but, given the impending hike in interest rates, perhaps they’re also about to love spending less money. So Ford wisely gives you a choice, and what you choose determines your EcoSport drivetrain.

Front-wheel-drive models are powered by Ford’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost engine; this small engine is turbocharged to enhance performance. The 4WDs feature a 2.0-litre direct-injection four-cylinder engine. Both engines are matched with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Ford EcoSport is a world car and there isn’t a wasted cubic centimetre. A Goldilocks of a car, it’s taller and longer than the Fiesta but smaller than the Escape. Space is thoroughly explored.

It seats four adults of average proportions comfortably with decent head and legroom up front and reasonable headroom in the back seats, which are split 60/40. There are a lot of hiding places, cubbies and nooks. A false floor in the trunk maximizes cargo storage and allows hiding space for valuables. (sourced from auto trader.ca)

Check out www.ford.ca/suvs/ecosport/?fmccmp=lp-future-top-hp-ecosport for a full description.