Really small SUVs aren't a new idea. You may remember old-school examples, such as the Geo Tracker (later the Chevy Tracker) of the '90s, for instance.
But the idea is making a comeback.
And it's not a bad idea ... if you're looking for SUV capabilities (and capacities) in something with a footprint that's about the same size as a subcompact sedan's.
What It Is
The Eco Sport is Ford's newest — and smallest — crossover SUV.
It's about a foot-and-a-half shorter overall than the Escape, formerly Ford's smallest SUV. It can fit into tight curbside parking spots that the Escape, larger SUVs and most cars have to pass up.
But it isn't tight inside.
There's several inches more backseat legroom in this mini-me SUV than in most same-length subcompact sedans — and about three times the cargo capacity.
It also has more ground clearance — almost 8 inches — than other mini-me SUVs, and it's the only mini-me SUV with a swing-out (rather than swing-up) rear door.
The base price is $19,995 for the front-wheel-drive S trim equipped with a turbocharged three-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic. A larger 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine (no turbo) is available optionally — and with or without all-wheel drive.
A top-of-the-line Titanium trim equipped with the 2.0 liter engine and AWD has a sticker price of $27,330.
What's New
The Eco Sport has been available in Europe for several years, but it's a new model for the U.S. market.
Ford brought it over to counter the growing ranks of similar models from Honda (HR-V), Mazda (CX-3), Chevy (Trax) and — most recently — the just-launched Toyota C-HR.
What's Good
About 7 inches shorter overall than Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3 — so it fits in even tighter spots.
Several inches more backseat legroom than the Toyota C-HR.
The extra almost 2 inches of ground clearance gives it a snow-day edge over lower-to-the-ground competitors.
What's Not So Good
It's heavier than others in this class, which hurts both Eco and Sport.
The high-mileage diesel engine that's available in European Eco Sports isn't going to be available here.
Under the Hood
Standard equipment is a turbocharged, 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic and front-wheel-drive only. This engine produces 123 horsepower and delivers 27 mpg in city driving and 29 on the highway, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
If you go with the optional 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, you'll get more horsepower — 166 — but lose 4 mpg in city driving.
However, the 2.0-liter engine delivers the same highway mileage as the smaller 1.0-liter engine — and you can order it with AWD, if you like.
The reason the 1.0-liter engine isn't available with AWD has to do with the Eco Sport's curb weight of 3,021 pounds. Adding AWD bumps that up by a couple hundred pounds, and that's too heavy for the smaller engine to handle.
Equipped with the 2.0-liter engine, the Eco Sport can pull up to 2,000 pounds.
On the Road
The Eco Sport isn't the quickest in this class; it takes about 10 seconds to mosey to 60 mph vs. 8-9 seconds in lighter rivals, such as the HR-V and CX-3. But it is the most capable — chiefly because of its higher ground clearance.
In heavy snow, that matters at least as much as whether you've got AWD — because once your car rides up on top of the snow, you're stuck.
This mini-me SUV also has a very tight turning circle — 17.5 feet — which is about 2 feet tighter than an Escape's. That makes it easy to U-turn on narrow streets without having to stop, reverse and reposition.
But the real surprise is how stable it feels given how short (and tall) it is. What killed off the original crop of mini-me SUVs, such as the Geo Tracker, was their top-heavy handling.
No such issues here.
At the Curb
The Eco Sport is only 161.3 inches long.
To get a sense of how short that is: A subcompact sedan, such as the 2018 Hyundai Accent, is almost a foot longer overall (172.6 inches).
But the Accent only has 33.5 inches of backseat legroom and a 13.7 cubic foot trunk.
The Eco Sport has 36.7 inches of backseat legroom — and 50 cubic feet of cargo capacity with its backseats folded flat. Even with them up, you still have 20.9 cubic feet of cargo carrying space.
You also get more access to that space via the Eco Sport's unique swing-out cargo door. If you're tall, you won't bump your head against the door. And if you're not tall, reaching the door handle (to open and close the door) is easier than it is with a traditional swing-up liftgate.
The Rest
You can get this mini-me SUV with almost everything imaginable, including an outstanding 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen ultra-premium audio system. The one thing you can't get is the turbodiesel engine Ford offers in European-spec version of this vehicle.
That's too bad, because the diesel is capable of averaging 10 mpg better than either of the U.S.-spec Eco Sport's gas engines.
But Ford, like other automakers, is reluctant to bring a diesel engine to the U.S. in the wake of the Volkswagen diesel debacle.
Hopefully, when the smoke clears, that will change.
The Bottom Line
Sometimes good things do come in small packages!
Eric's new book, "Don't Get Taken for a Ride!" is available now. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
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