> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.roadblazing.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 2018 Ford EcoSport SES AWD - Bottom Line Review - URL: https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-ford-ecosport-ses-awd-bottom-line-review/ - Published: 2018-10-11T23:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2024-05-06T18:07:48.000Z - Author: Tomasz Paluch - Tags: Crossover Utility Vehicles (Contributing Editor: Tomasz Paluch) ### *Economy (En.) = derived from the Greek words "οικος" (En. "family") + "νεμομαι" (En. "management") and pertains to the management of household resources.* ### *The omicron + iota dipthong is in "oikos" pronounced as a long English letter ē vowel.* ### *Fuel Economy = management of fuel resources, in most cases, petroleum. The letter "e" in "economy" is similarly pronounced as a long letter ē vowel.* ### **Roadblazing.com* now investigates the mystery of Ford ignoring proper Greek pronunction, emphasizing that it's new *2018 EcoSport* entry in the cute ute foray should be pronounced with a short letter "ê" as in the echo made by a voice in a deep cave.* ### **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*** *WHAT:* All-new to North America **2018 Ford EcoSport 2.0L SES AWD** sub-compact sports activity vehicle, built on the B2E platform, shared with Mk. 6 **Fiesta** (Mk. 7 available only outside the U.S.). **EcoSport** is assembled in 6 countries since the 2013 MY. Standard Power: 999 cc, turbocharged, direct injection 2 x Ti-VCT DOHC 12V I-3 cylinder gasoline engine = 123 hp/ 123 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm + 6-speed planetary automatic transaxle; Optional Power: 1591 cc, direct injected, 2 x Ti-VCT DOHC 16V I-4 gas engine = 166 hp/ 149 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm + 6-speed planetary automatic transaxle; Optional Drivetrain (available only w/ 2.0L): PTU to viscous multi-clutch differential all-wheel drive. *WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE:* It's larger bro Ford Escape, shrunken in the cotton cycle, splaying un-clad wheel arches further to the corners in a stubby stance. ![2018 Ford EcoSport SES 4WD: Contains more active lifestyle versatility than the outgoing Fiesta city hatchback it is based on.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/10/RB-2018-Ford-EcoSport-SES-ext-side-by-side004d.jpg) 2018 Ford EcoSport SES 4WD: Contains more active lifestyle versatility than the outgoing Fiesta city hatchback it is based on. **√** A-pillars form butressed valleys along deep raked hood, with flared headlights, reminiscent of Transit Connect; **√** Glass fills between A-pillar and sail panel; **√** Door mounted wing oversized mirrors; **√** Octagonal Ford dark honeycomb grille with truck dual horizontal bars, **√** Lower dark gray cladding throughout, except at naturally bulging wheel arches; **√** Prominent upper and lower door creases; **√** Sharp rising belt-line; **√** Upright swing-gate; **√** U-dipping rear backlight; **√** Flared wrap around split tail-lamps; **√** Lower swing gate bevel mimics lift-gate; **√** Lower rear fascia reflectors w/ integrate reverse lamps. *WHY*: Purveyor of truck forays into cute utes. *WHEN:* On-Sale (in the U.S.) since Spring 2018 *WHERE:* Ford new vehicle dealers *WHERE MADE*: Chennai, India *WHERE TO:* **√** Front-wheel biased all-wheel drive, electronically transmits up to 50% of torque rear-wards; **√** side-to-side ABS torque vectoring; **√** Downhill brake control; **+1** Sized right for narrow urban quarters maneuvers; **√** 7.8"-inches ground clearance matched in segment only by Jeep Renegade; **√** Able to traverse a grassy gulley; **\-1** No AWD lock. *HOW ROADWORTHY:* Optional 2.0L I-4 lugs 300 lbs. > front-drive 1.0L I-3; Add slow throttle reaction to arrive at flirtation with notions of urban zip, while saddled with eons of motorway meandering; 6-speed planetary automatic = smoother than Ford DCT; Steering wheel dorsal shift paddles generate more commotion than locomotion, bouncing off the upshift wall at 5000 rpm; Smooth rider, despite concrete slab motorway jounce resulting from the extra suspension travel + soft springing; Body control and grip find early limits; Slow to react steering demonstrates heft but filters road feel; Initial 4-wheel disc brake bite impresses, not so the weaker reaction at the end of pedal travel. *HOW FAR:* **26** combined **m**iles **p**er **g**allon; 406 miles highway range. *HOW BIG/ LITTLE:* Considerable usable space per small footprint **√ EcoSport** wheelbase **\=** 1.0" < **Jeep Renegade**, 0.8" < **Chevrolet Trax** , 3.2" < [**Hyundai Kona**](https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-hyundai-kona-sel-bottom-line-review/) **+1:** 36.7"-inches Row 2 legroom \= 2.1"> [**Kona**](https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-hyundai-kona-sel-bottom-line-review/), 1.6" > **Renegade**; 0.9" > **Trax**; *HOW USEFUL:* **√** Tall load aperture; **√** 60/40% split incline fold 2nd Row seatbacks; **√** Low load floor adjusts to 2nd Row seat incline fold; **√** Center console storage management + deep armrest bin; **+1** Supportive front seat bolstering & lumbar contour; +**1** Outward visibility from low cowl, oversized wing mirrors, narrow side pillars, tall tailgate window; **\-1** Sparse front & rear door pocket storage; **\-1** No cockpit swing-gate release switch; Tow Rating: *2000 lbs*. **+1** Cargo space (max.) = 43% > [**Toyota C-HR**](https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-toyota-c-hr-xle-bottom-line-review/), 3% > **Chevrolet Trax**; ≈ **Jeep Renegade** ![2018 Ford EcoSport SES 4WD: Among segment leaders with 50 cubic feet expanded cargo space.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/10/RB-2018-Ford-EcoSport-SES-cargo-P1360303-bd.jpg) 2018 Ford EcoSport SES 4WD: Among segment leaders with 50 cubic feet expanded cargo space. *HOW SAFE*: **√** 8 airbags; **√** Rear camera w/ predictive grid; **√** Audible rear park assist; **√** Blind Spot Warning; **√** Post collision S.O.S. alert; **\-1** Dim headlights **\-1** Lacks extensive driver assist suite. ![2018 Ford EcoSport SES 4WD: Blind Spot Indicator](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/10/RB-2018-Ford-EcoSport-SES-BLIS-002d.jpg) 2018 Ford EcoSport SES 4WD: Blind Spot Indicator *HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY:* **√** Heated, leather trimmed cloth sport front bucket seats, 6-way power driver's; **√** 4 power windows = front full express; **√** Height adjustable front pax seat; **√** Heated, tilt & telescoping, cross-stitched leather wrapped steering wheel; **√** Automatic climate control; **√** Easy access left lower dashboard dimmer & rotary light switch; **+1** Wind & road noise isolation; **\-1** Dis-used safety belt buckle B+C-pillar rattle; **\-1** Non-tilting, 2nd Row seats, **\-1** Constrictive 2nd Row knee space; *Cool Gizmo(s)*: **√** Split compartment glove-box + passenger-side dash shelf; *Details Done Right:* **√** Soft dashtop, door arm & hand area inserts; **√** Burnt orange dash, door & console accents*;* **√** *Blue-green* night switch illumination; **√** Variable color cabin door, foot-well and console ambient illumination; **√** Sun-wash resistant gauge binnacle; ![2018 Ford EcoSport SES 4WD: Front passenger entry; Dual pocket glovebox + mid-dashboard shelf](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/10/RB-2018-Ford-EcoSport-SES-entry-front-pax004d.jpg) 2018 Ford EcoSport SES 4WD: Front passenger entry; Dual pocket glovebox + mid-dashboard shelf *Nearly Non-Descript*: **\-1** Hard plastic pillars; Scuff prone cargo area dark hard plastics; Add-on, non-distinctive sub-horizontal steering wheel spoke cruise control switches; Driver's door window switches located too far forward *HOW "APP" -LICABLE:* **√** Dash-top 8.0"-inch Sync3 3-pane capacitive touch LCD infotainment screen; **+1** Large icons; **+1** Extensive voice commands; **√** Voice learning hands-free communications; **√** 7-speaker, 240 W w/ streaming audio & HD radio; **√** Mobile powered Android Auto/ Apple Car Play application & navigation overlays; **√** Pandora mirror application; ![2018 Ford EcoSport SES 4WD: Versatile and accurate Sync3 on-board voice command GPS turn-by-turn direction Navigation](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/10/RB-2018-Ford-EcoSport-SES-drive-Navigation007d.jpg) 2018 Ford EcoSport SES 4WD: Versatile and accurate Sync3 on-board voice command GPS turn-by-turn direction Navigation **√** Subscription based: Sirius XM radio (90 day free trial); **√** Sirius TravelLink traffic, weather, sports scores, movie listings, fuel prices, ski conditions apps (5 years); **√** WiFi hotspot; ![2018 Ford EcoSport SES 4WD: 5-year Sirius XM TravelLink app suite subscription available](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/10/RB-2018-Ford-EcoSport-SES-apps-SiriusXM-TravelLink004d.jpg) 2018 Ford EcoSport SES 4WD: 5-year Sirius XM TravelLink app suite subscription available **√** USB x 2, 12V x 1; 110V 2nd Row outlet **+1** Segregated front center console device nook; *HOW MUCH: *$26,740** \= **2018 Ford EcoSport 2.0L SES AWD** *WHAT'S MISSING:* 2nd Row USB port *ANY COMPETITION:* **Chevrolet Trax:** +1 fold-flat Row 2 seatbacks, 2nd Row side air bags; **Honda HR-V: +1** Dual fold Row 2 seating & cargo space; **Jeep Renegade: +1** Offroad creds, versatile T-top roof; [**Hyundai Kona**](https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-hyundai-kona-sel-bottom-line-review/)**:** **+1** Car-like ride, handling, fuel economy; [**Kia Soul**](https://www.roadblazing.com/2017-kia-soul-exclaim-turbo-quick-review/): +1 Hi-po turbo engine, cargo space; **Mazda CX-3: +1** Cabin finish; handling; [**Toyota C-HR**](https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-toyota-c-hr-xle-bottom-line-review/)**: +1** Funky looks *BOTTOM LINE:* 1/3rd of a [Ford Expedition Max](https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-ford-expedition-limited-4x4-bottom-line-review/)