Ford-eign Exchange Student: 2018 Ford EcoSport Challenges Competitors

Ford-eign Exchange Student: 2018 Ford EcoSport Challenges Competitors
2018 ford ecosport; photos by christian lantry

our 2018 subcompact suv challenge results are publishing soon, so it's time to introduce the contenders. first up is the new-to-the-u.s. 2018 ford ecosport. the ecosport has been around in other global markets for years, but 2018 was the first model year buyers on these shores could purchase.

2018 ford ecosport specs & reviews find a 2018 ford ecosport near you

our requirements for the challenge were simple: vehicles had to have an as-tested price of $26,000 or less including destination, and they had to be available with all-wheel drive, though we did not stipulate a requirement for awd in the cars we tested.

the ecosport we evaluated was a mid-level se trim, which adds key features like ford's sync 3 multimedia system, a sunroof and rear parking sensors. painted ruby red metallic, our tester paired a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder used engine with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.

inside the ecosport, sync 3 added apple carplay and android auto integration. our vehicle also had an optional 8-inch touchscreen with navigation as part of the $1,795 se convenience package. the driver and front passenger seats were heated, and all seating surfaces got a unique cloth covering.

all told, our 2018 ecosport se rang in at $25,590, including its $995 destination fee. stay tuned the rest of this week as we preview the other three competitors in the challenge and reveal the winner on oct. 8.

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