by Aiden Eksteen
The 2021 Ford EcoSport forms part of the first-generation EcoSport, which was introduced to the USA in 2018. Built on Ford's global platform, the subcompact crossover was launched in the international market long before it came home to roost. Unfortunately, by the time Ford reached the US market with the EcoSport, it had impressive and far more contemporary compact crossovers such as theKia Soul,Hyundai Kona, andHonda HR-Vto contend with.
Ford offers the EcoSport with two engines, a small-capacity turbocharged 3-cylinder, and a more familiar 2.0-liter four-cylinder. With outputs of either 123- or 166 horsepower, the EcoSport feels dismally underpowered. Neither power plant is particularly frugal, either. Lackluster performance is met with an overly stiff suspension setup, cheap build quality, and little in the way of features. But, with its $20,395 starting price, the Ford EcoSport crossover may still find a few cash-strapped fans. It also gets a user-friendly infotainment system, a pragmatic trunk, and unfettered access to all-wheel-drive, but is this enough to ensure its survival alongside newer and more sophisticated competitors?
The 2021 Ford EcoSport soldiers on with the same mechanics and lineup as last year, but with two new 17-inch wheel options and an Overlander Decal for the SE and Titanium trim. A laminate windshield replaces the acoustic unit, and two new paint colors have been added to the exterior palette, namely Blue Metallic and Luxe Yellow. These replace Blue Candy Metallic Tinted Clearcoat and Canyon Ridge.
There is also a new appearance package available for the SE trim, costing an additional $495. Previously, SES models could opt for a Black Appearance package, but this has now been made standard on the trim, as has six-way power adjustment on the driver's seat. Titanium trims now have access to faux leather upholstery. Finally, a cargo cover and package tray are now standard specifications on the SE trim and above.
See trim levels and configurations:
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S |
1.0L Turbo Inline-3 Gas
2.0L Inline-4 Gas |
6-Speed Automatic |
Front-Wheel Drive
Four-Wheel Drive |
$20,395 |
| SE |
1.0L Turbo Inline-3 Gas
2.0L Inline-4 Gas |
6-Speed Automatic |
Front-Wheel Drive
Four-Wheel Drive |
$23,960 |
| Titanium |
1.0L Turbo Inline-3 Gas
2.0L Inline-4 Gas |
6-Speed Automatic |
Front-Wheel Drive
Four-Wheel Drive |
$26,895 |
| SES |
2.0L Inline-4 Gas |
6-Speed Automatic |
Four-Wheel Drive |
$28,155 |
2021年福特EcoSport是那坚实的交叉t it will get a small family from one point to another dependably and safely. It also comes outfitted with a fair number of features beyond the entry-spec model, and it offers a good level of practicality. Unfortunately, with crossovers like the Kia Soul, Mazda CX-30, and Hyundai Kona turning heads left and right, the EcoSport doesn't offer nearly enough to impress. This is mostly due to the fact that the EcoSport was designed for the markets where small, basic, and affordable cars sell well. It was brought to the US purely for the fact that popularity for compact crossovers picked up significantly over recent years and it was Ford's only existing vehicle that could compete right away.
In comparison to other crossovers in its classification, the EcoSport is mundane to drive, it doesn't handle well, and it just feels cheap. Both the NHTSA and the IIHS's review of the Ford EcoSport crossover resulted in some subpar overall safety ratings. All in all, there are many compact crossovers that offer a whole lot more than the first-generation Ford EcoSport in performance and value.
Creature comforts and conveniences are rather limited throughout the EcoSport line, so we'd recommend sticking with one of the lower-tier trim levels to maximize the value you get. In terms of which powertrain you choose, while the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder is more powerful, the 1.0-liter turbo-three is more efficient. The extra power does make the 2.0L worth considering, though. The SE-spec EcoSport is a good pick in terms of the comforts, conveniences, and the tech it comes with, the eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with full smartphone connectivity being the most notable. You also get LED headlights, a leather-clad steering wheel, and 17-inch alloy wheels. With this trim. you'll need to go with the 2.0-liter engine if you want to opt for the available AWD system. We suggest adding the optional SE Appearance Package to spruce up the cabin and the Convenience Package to further enhance the infotainment system and bolster the driver-assist suite with blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert.
The most popular competitors of 2021 Ford EcoSport:
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Gordon Murray Automotive
亨尼西
Honda
Hyundai
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
斯巴鲁
Tesla
Toyota
VinFast
Volkswagen
Volvo