2018 Ford EcoSport (U.S.) First Impressions Round-Up

2789 Views 8 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Econobox, Mar 24, 2017

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Discussion Starter · Mar 4, 2017

Similar To Fiesta and Focus

If you are not already familiar with the Fiesta or Focus, do yourself a favor and check them out at your local Ford Dealer. Once behind the wheel of either the Fiesta or Focus, you`ll feel right at home in the new EcoSport. According to CarBuzz.com it feels exactly like the Fiesta, just few inches higher off the ground.

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"Light" AWD

Standard on the SES trim is an on-demand AWD system similar to what the current Ford Escape has. Depending on who you are this may or may not be a good thing. Considered a "light version" with no way to lock in AWD and no low range function as reported by TCC. This is in no way an off-roader, but to the average the extra bit of control and confidence it provides in messy winter conditions will go a long way. For some extra insight while we wait for its 2018 launch, watch this Intelligent AWD/4WD Introduction Video from Ford USA

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Swing-Gate Flaw

Skip to 0:30 and you'll see Kelsey Mays of Cars.com explain one flaw the swing-gate has, clearance. It requires a lot of space to open all the way. Anyone who spends enough time running errands in the city will easily find this to be an issue when trying to load/unload when parallel parked or a packed parkade. Even at home if you have a small garage or your spot at the condo. Ford might have to rethink this one.

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Lacking In Safety Systems

Mike Monticello from Consumer Reports brought up a great point at 1:05 about safety technology, it needs more. Blind-Spot warning has been confirmed for the 2018 MY EcoSport but as mentioned, due to the environment it will often be Ford should consider including more advanced safety technology.

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Econobox

· #2 · Mar 7, 2017

Most Ecosports won't ever see a proper dirt road so the "Light" AWD system is perfect for poor weather conditions and the odd packed dirt road. Just a pain to turn it on every time you start the car if there's no way to lock it in.

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workingclasshero

· #3 · Mar 7, 2017

Always had a feeling the swing open gate would be a problem in tight city situations but if you factor that into what you need to do on a specific day, is it really bad you have to unload elsewhere? And how often will someone need the gate to open entirely?

Typically we have a few feet at worse between our rear bumper and the front end of the next car

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WeeSUV

· #4 · Mar 8, 2017

Parallel parking spaces in the city can get pretty tight and the EcoSport door was designed to swing open all the way once you've opened it to a certain point. But I'm sure if needed, the driver can think of something.

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GoGreen

· #5 · Mar 8, 2017

Still don't find it a flaw.. we've had other vehicles such as the CR-V with a swing out gate and it never shown to be an issue. If you're consistently in areas where that is going to be an issue however, it's something to consider?

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Econobox

· #6 · Mar 9, 2017

All else fails, just throw things in the back seat so you don't have to even open the gate in tight spaces.
More important question is if we can permanently turn on the light awd system, or make it stick so we we won't have to keep turning it on every day during the winter months.

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GoGreen

· #7 · Mar 10, 2017

Now that is an important question. Being able to switch from part-time awd to full-time awd would greatly aid in fuel savings whenever possible.

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workingclasshero

· #8 · Mar 13, 2017

Econobox said:
All else fails, just throw things in the back seat so you don't have to even open the gate in tight spaces.
More important question is if we can permanently turn on the light awd system, or make it stick so we we won't have to keep turning it on every day during the winter months.

Yup.

In the end it all comes down to planning and getting used to the limitations. Depending on who you are it will be a small sacrifice for bigger gain. So if you happen to have an active lifestyle, involved in a number of sports, then the easy loading/unloading at games alone will pay off for you.

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Econobox

· #9 · Mar 24, 2017

The 2017 Ford Ecosport is a front-wheel-drive compact crossover, so the light awd system would transfer the power evenly to all four wheels?

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