Ford’s EcoSport is an SUV for people who want experiences, not stuff

Say hello to the littlest Ford SUV, the EcoSport. If you're the kind of person who would rather spend your money on experiences than stuff, Ford thinks this is the vehicle for you. (credit: Ford)

HOLLYWOOD, Calif.—On the eve of the Los Angeles Auto Show, Ford unveiled its latest SUV for the US market. Called the EcoSport, it's the smallest SUV the company has brought to these shores, and it's fitted into the range below the Edge. The rapidly growing "compact SUV" segment (think Honda HR-Vs and Buick Encores) has sold more than 1.7 million vehicles sold since 2003, and Ford hopes to sell more than half-a-million of its own small SUVs by 2020.

"Young Americans are spending their money on experiences, not stuff," Ford SUV group marketing manager Michael O'Brien told me. "But they need a vehicle to enable those experiences."

The EcoSport, which is loosely based on the Ford Fiesta platform, will come with a choice of two engines and four different trim packages. Buyers can get either the company's award-winning 1.0L three-cylinder EcoBoost engine or a 2.0L four-cylinder, naturally aspirated direct injection option. Both use the same six-speed automatic gearbox. The EcoSport will be available in front-wheel and all-wheel drive versions. The latter sends up to 50 percent of available torque to the rear wheels when necessary.

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