The 2022 Ford EcoSport is underwhelming at best. With surprisingly poor fuel economy and a less than luxurious interior, is this subcompact SUV worth our time?

Written by Elaine Duvet

Reviewed by Kathleen Flear

Updated on Nov 30, 2023

Table of Contents

The Ford’s subcompact SUV handles well
There’s no ‘eco’ in the Ford EcoSport
Better options for a subcompact SUV

The value of the 2022

Ford

EcoSport is questionable. Neither fuel-efficient nor sporty, Ford seemed to have missed the mark on this new subcompact SUV.

But at a lower price point than many competitors, is it possible the car has some positive attributes? Let’s take a look at a Consumer Report’s review on the American automaker’s noisy ride.

The Ford’s subcompact SUV handles well

It’s not designed for off-roading, but it can handle the occasional muddy trail and tow up to 2,000 pounds.

The Ford EcoSport is a little more exciting than your typical SUV and feels more adventurous driving on the road. It can take corners quickly and has more responsive steering than we expected. Though rugged, the auto's behavior is balanced and secure, and can actually be a lot of fun to maneuver.

Exceptional handling is a high point for this subcompact SUV. The steering feel keeps drivers much more engaged than other cars in its class. In

Consumer Report

’s avoidance maneuver, the Ford EcoSport instilled high confidence in their drivers at 54.5 mph.

We wouldn’t call the seats orthopedic, but they’re comfortable enough, at least in the front. We recommend taking this small SUV for a

test drive

, to see if you like sitting much higher up in the driver's seat. And as you’d expect, legroom for the seats in the rear is tight.

Consumer Reports recommends the “SE version with the Convenience package since it comes with blind-spot warning and other nice features such as automatic climate control, and Sync 3 with navigation.”

The Sync 3 infotainment system uses Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to access smartphone navigation apps. With Apple iOS through Applink, Ford supports the frequently-used Waze app. The system works well and you’ll get free XM satellite traffic service for five years.

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There’s no ‘eco’ in the Ford EcoSport

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Ford Is Making Its Biggest Investment Ever to Build Electric Vehicles

The Ford EcoSport lacks in power, taking a whole 10.7 seconds to get from zero to 60 mph. And you really gotta push down on the gas pedal hard to get there. Doesn’t look like this subcompact SUV will be winning any races in the near future.

Even at its largest engine, the subcompact SUV can only get 24 mpg. Competitors get an average of 28-29 mpg. And when merging into traffic, the engine revs louder than we’d prefer.

According to Consumer Reports, “The base 123-horsepower, 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbo engine is responsive around town but short on reserve power.” The vehicle’s transmission could be smoother, as it feels stiff and jittery at times. You’ll definitely feel plenty of bumps.

The brakes perform well on dry and wet surfaces, but this may not be the best vehicle for families with kids. Unfortunately, automatic emergency braking and forward-collision warning are not an option. Blindspot warning and rear cross-traffic warning are available on mid-trim models and come standard on the upper trims.

Though a LATCH system is installed, the lower anchors are stuffed behind stiff seat cushions and a pain to get to. Buckles may also not be accessible for standard booster seats.

The cabin interior leaves much to be desired. Primarily hard plastic, the finishes are not reminiscent of a luxury

sports car

. Ford tried to spice it up a bit on their SES trim with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather combo seats, and copper-colored trim and stitching. There is a padded upper dash, but aside from the armrest, the doors are still plastic.

The back door swings open to the side—something to keep in mind when parallel parking in the city. It also won’t shield owners from the rain, so make sure you’ve got an umbrella in there. That is if you can find the room. Space inside the cargo is limited.

Better options for a subcompact SUV

We’re a big fan of the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek. The SUV has Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and gets up to 34 mpg. It sports a Powerful 2.5-liter Direct-Injection SUBARU BOXER Engine. The cargo area is roomy and feature’s Subaru’s STARLINK multimedia.

According to

Subaru

, Crosstrek’s safety features “standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which monitors traffic movement, optimizes cruise control, and warns you when you’re swaying outside your lane.” It also offers automatic pre-collision braking, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control with lane centering. We’re all for taking the stress out of driving in the city or on long road trips with the family.

The

Mazda

CX-30 offers incredible value for its price, and a refined, slick exterior. All-wheel drive comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission. CX-30 models with the 2.5 S badge have a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 186 lb-ft of torque. Output on high-end trims can crank up to 250 hp.

Though Mazda CX-30 models start around $22,000, they can still compete with entry-level luxury crossovers. Ergonomic features like seats that help correct your posture or minimize fatigue sound like a dream come true.

The Ford EcoSport’s other competitors also include the 2022 Chevrolet Trax, 2022 Buick Encore GX, 2022 Hyundai Kona, and 2022 Honda HR-V.

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