I don’t know how things might be in your neck of the woods. Here in Metro Vancouver, the roads are increasingly dominated by small and midsize SUVs. You know, aside from the exotic supercars with glaring green “N” sign attached at the back. People like the added height, space and utility, but they don’t want a gas guzzler. And the upcoming 2018 Ford EcoSport addresses exactly that segment of the market.
In chatting with the folks at Ford Canada during last year’s Auto Show, they hinted at a new vehicle they’d be adding to the lineup soon and this is it. The Ford EcoSport will be new to Canada when it launches early next year, but the Fiesta-based crossover has already been offered in some other international markets.
For this week’s vlog, Ford invited me to the Vancouver International Auto Show to get a first look at the 2018 Ford EcoSport. It’s smaller than I expected, especially in terms of trunk space. That’s kind of the point. It suits city dwellers who want a vehicle that’s easy to park, while offering enough outdoorsy-ness for folks who want to hit up the local mountains in the winter.
The former may be more interested in the 1.0L front-wheel-drive model, whereas the latter may opt for the 2.0L all-wheel-drive option. Pricing and fuel consumption numbers are still yet to be determined. You’ll also notice that the trunk opens like a door (like the old Toyota RAV4) rather than like a liftgate.
This emerging segment of the market could be good for buyers who want to avoid the size and expense of something like the luxurious Lincoln MKC, while retaining enough of an SUV quality to fit their needs. Of course, you could go much bigger with the Ford Expedition instead, which will now come with a lighter-weight aluminium body. That should help with fuel economy.
You can throw fuel economy out the window with the Ford GT supercar. With a limited run of just 250 units a year and priced at $450,000 US, the Ford GT serves as a functional test bed for new technologies. But you basically have to apply for an opportunity to buy one, since they’re already all spoken for.
After touring the Ford Canada booth at the Auto Show, we went across the street to the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel for some brunch at ARC Restaurant. The theme of #GoSmallLiveBig continued through here as Ford treated us to “small plates with big taste.” Think of it like a tasting menu.
Chorizo Scotch Egg
Corn and spring bean succotash, herb aioli, smoke paprika
Fried Chicken and Waffles
Buttermilk-fried chicken and sweet waffles, Noble Bourbon cask maple syrup
Breakfast Poutine
House-made sausage, poached egg, house-cut fries, cheese curds, gravy
Lobster Benny
Tarragon hollandaise and butter poached Atlantic lobster, super green smoothie, fennel citrus salad
Are you in the market for a new vehicle? What is most important to you when thinking about buying a new car? Is it the size and utility? Design and technology? Price and fuel economy? Comfort and luxury?
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