Ford EcoSport coming to the US in 2018

[CodeRedR51]

http://www.autoblog.com/2016/11/14/2018-ford-ecosport-subcompact-suv-america/

 

[SlipZtrEm]

Ew.

So is this the current second-gen, then? It's already going to be six years old by the time it comes here; seems odd for Ford to only now be bringing it Stateside.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

Ford's current design language looks very very tired. It has not aged well at all.

 

[05XR8]

They're going to need something to combat the CX-3 and little Chevy CUV. I guess.

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

Yeah...I don't want it at all.

 

[catamount39]

That's just plain disgusting.

 

[Turbo]

Whether the EcoSport is a looker or not, does Ford really need to offer a CUV smaller than the Escape? Because the EcoSport almost seems too compact for most family needs.

If families don't buy the EcoSport, then it's sales are bound to be abysmal. Escape sales are very high mainly because it is loved by parents.

 

[CodeRedR51]

...does Ford really need to offer a CUV smaller than the Escape?

I would argue no, but that segment (Honda HR-V, Nissan Juke, Kia Soul, etc) is super hot right now. They'll go wherever sale are.

 

[SlipZtrEm]

Whether the EcoSport is a looker or not, does Ford really need to offer a CUV smaller than the Escape? Because the EcoSport almost seems too compact for most family needs.

If families don't buy the EcoSport, then it's sales are bound to be abysmal. Escape sales are very high mainly because it is loved by parents.

I could be way off base, but I don't believe families are the target buyers for things like this, the CX-3, HR-V, et al. I'd guess it's young, urban professionals; DINK households, ideally.

 

[AudiMan2011]

That facelift probably won't help boost sales much here in the UK.

 

[Turbo]

I would argue no, but that segment (Honda HR-V, Nissan Juke, Kia Soul, etc) is super hot right now. They'll go wherever sale are.

I could be way off base, but I don't believe families are the target buyers for things like this, the CX-3, HR-V, et al. I'd guess it's young, urban professionals; DINK households, ideally.

These are good points. In order for the EcoSport to succeed, however, it must be a truly great product, since the compact and subcompact CUV market is very crowded. I'm not completely sure that the EcoSport will shine, at least right now.

 

[SlipZtrEm]

These are good points. In order for the EcoSport to succeed, however, it must be a truly great product, since the compact and subcompact CUV market is very crowded. I'm not completely sure that the EcoSport will shine, at least right now.

Nah, it doesn't have to be great. Or even good. I give you exhibit A: the Corolla.

 

[Tornado]

I would argue that it needs to be stylish, though.

 

[buickgnx88]

Odd question, but is the rear door mounted spare tire standard on the version across the pond, or is it an option?

 

[VXR]

Odd question, but is the rear door mounted spare tire standard on the version across the pond, or is it an option?

It was the only option for the first year or so and from this year onwards they've took it off, which is just as well, because it looked stupid with a massive great tyre cover hanging off the back.

 

[05XR8]

You gotta realise, people that had Honda Fit, Yaris, etc. Will step up to something with just a bit of ground clearance and kind of want an SUV without the bulk.

These CUBs(how about that? auto correct) have style, safety features, mobile connectivity that customers want. Most important would be fuel economy without paying a premium to own one.

 

[Tornado]

But this one doesn't have any style. Stuff like the Juke or Cherokee are divisive and attention grabbing and people line up to buy them because of it. This looks like the kind of awful compact MPVs that people in America had in the past been lucky enough to avoid, if it was designed ten years ago.

 

[05XR8]

How much more would it cost to make it pretty, than to offer a ready made model to market right now? That may be the case. If enough people buy it(see 1986 Hyundai Excel), then may be some improvement in its looks in the near future. If it flops, Ford counts its loses.

 

[YSSMAN]

The shocking thing about the EcoSport is that they're showing it now, in 2016, when the car won't be on sale in the US until early 2018. Yes, I get that the segment is hot, but making people wait over a year seems a bit silly.

In regard to the car itself, well, it is largely what Ford needs right now. Regardless of how well the Escape sells and how affordable that option is, a smaller and very likely more fuel efficient car is a smart step for Ford even if it is an old product. With the straightforward powertrain and larger than you'd expect interior, things bode well for the EcoSport, question is how far it'll be able to undercut the Escape when it debuts. If you're dead-set on an AWD option, it'll only set you back $24k for an Escape, which is a relative bargain in the segment. If you can get an EcoSport SE AWD for right at $20k, that's a crazy value compared to anything else on the road, and I think that's what Ford is going for.