Ford isn’t well-known for making the most reliable SUVs, but it’s still capable of making good vehicles. That said, more often than not, Ford’s offerings are a mixed bag, and there are usually a few good things and a few bad things about the vehicles. That’s pretty much the case with the Ford EcoSport, which is one of Ford’s latest subcompact SUVs.

The Ford EcoSport gets mixed reviews

Technically speaking, the Ford EcoSport isn’t a new model, but for American customers, it is. Ford has been making the EcoSport for non-American markets for a long time now, and recently, in 2018, Ford introduced the EcoSport to American shores.

As a subcompact crossover SUV, the EcoSport had quite a few competitors, as its segment has been booming in the U.S. as of late. That said, by and large, car reviewers are not very kind to the EcoSport. It tends to get low rankings.

The EcoSport did well enough in areas like cost and reliability, but it was simply sunk by its interior, its performance, and what critics thought of it overall. It’s sluggish and unrefined nature didn’t sit well with reviewers.

How reliable is the Ford EcoSport?

That said, the EcoSport has been selling well around the world. For the 2019 model year, U.S. News reported that the EcoSport had a respectable reliability rating.

The EcoSport looks even better when it’s compared to the other SUVs in its segment. Many popular subcompact SUVs have subpar reliability scores. Additionally, Ford’s EcoSport has higher reliability scores than many of its key rivals. So, reliability isn’t a huge concern for the Blue Oval’s subcompact SUV.

The pros and cons of the Ford EcoSport

The 2018 Ford EcoSport is praised for its standard all-wheel drive. Some of its worst qualities are its tight cabin (specifically the second row), and its poor fuel economy. Subcompact SUV models are usually more efficient.

It has two engine options, a 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 123 horsepower and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 166 horsepower. Neither powertrain option is very impressive. These engines don’t make the EcoSport sporty by any means. Additionally, it’s not a very comfortable SUV to drive around in.

The EcoSport has an uncomfortable ride quality, and it’s kind of noisy, too. Furthermore, it doesn’t really have much cargo room, and there aren’t many standard features, either. Ultimately the 2018 Ford EcoSport ranks below its rivals for reasons like value, power, and quality.

The best subcompact SUV of 2018 is the Hyundai Kona. The 2018 Kona starts at $20,385. It uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine to make 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The subcompact SUV achieves 28 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway. It has a surprisingly refined cabin, a quirky exterior design, and it’s fun to drive. The 2018 Hyundai Kona is easily one of the best vehicles of the year. Its best iterations use the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine option.