All the Best Ford Compact SUVs
Ford’s smallest SUV is the EcoSport. What other petite options are available? Find out here.
Written by Cassandra Hamilton
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The Ford EcoSport is the half-pint, fuel-sipping, agile wünderkind of Ford’s small car lineup. It’s also Ford’s most affordable vehicle.
The EcoSport isn’t your only option when it comes to small Fords though—you get a few other options in the compact categories. If you’re in the market for a small, affordable Ford that’ll easily fit your garage and budget, you’re in the right spot.
Join
Jerry
, the trusted insurance expert
, as we look at all the compact SUVs Ford currently has to offer. We’ll focus on what you can buy new, with a few discontinued honorable mentions. Then we’ll hit you with a tip from our car insurance
experts to help you reduce your Ford insurance costs
.2022 Ford compact and subcompact SUV models
Right now, Ford only offers three compact SUVs—the EcoSpot, the Escape, and the Bronco Sport.
2022 Ford EcoSport ($23,335 MSRP)
You won’t find many subcompact SUVs with standard all-wheel drive—that is, unless you’re looking at a
Ford EcoSport
. While this vehicle isn’t rated strongly by many outlets—Car and Driver gives it a sad 3.5/10 while Edmunds ranks it a little better at 6.8/10—it’s a solid choice for an affordable, reliable subcompact SUV that does great on gas. It even has an impressive 2,000-pound tow rating—not bad for being a pipsqueak!
What does the EcoSport have going on for it beyond subpar ratings? Well, it has average fuel economy, smartphone integration, and a low starting price.
Highlights of the EcoSport include:
- Available safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- 4 out of 5-star safety rating from NHTSA
- 23/29 EPA-estimated mpg (city/highway)
- Models starting from $23,335 to $29,690 MSRP
Weaknesses include:
- Utilitarian interior
- Limited cargo space
- Poor ride quality
2022 Ford Escape ($28,660 MSRP)
The
Ford Escape
isn’t as relevant as it used to be since the introduction of the similarly-sized Ford Bronco Sport, but it’s more versatile. Still available with two gasoline engines or optional hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains, there’s a Ford Escape out there for everyone. No matter which way you serve it up, you’re getting a great vehicle with the 2022 Ford Escape. While you can’t get a hybrid for less than $34k, or a PHEV for less than $36k, you’ll still enjoy a vehicle with a 7.5/10 rating from Car and Driver and a 7.7/10 rating from Edmunds.
Highlights of the Ford Escape include:
- Amazing hybrid and PHEV fuel efficiency up to 41 mpg
- Five-star rating from the NHTSA
- Standard forward collision warning with automated emergency braking, lane departure warning with lane keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
- IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2022
Weaknesses include:
- Expensive hybrid trims
- Basic low-level trims
- Unrefined base engine
2022 Ford Bronco Sport ($30,410 MSRP)
The 2022
Ford Bronco Sport
is an excellent compact SUV that seamlessly blends outdoorsy weekends with hip urban living. It’s basically a baby version of the full-size Ford Bronco with plenty of space to go around for all passengers.This model shares a platform with the less-rugged Escape but excels in application. Car and Driver gives it an incredible 9/10 rating while Edmunds issues a lukewarm 7.6/10. You’ll need to upgrade trims if you want the Bronco Sport to perform off-road, but the resulting performance is out of this world.
Highlights of the Bronco Sport include:
- Fuel efficiency of the three-cylinder engine (25 mpg city and 28 mpg highway)
- Tons of thoughtful storage
- Smartphone integration with Ford’s Sync 3 software
- IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2022
Weaknesses include:
- Small backseat
- Cheap interior materials
- Wheezy base engine
MORE:Does Ford have a self-driving car?
Other small Ford models
Even though the three models above are the only compact vehicles currently sold by Ford, there are three honorable mentions when it comes to compact Fords:
- Ford Fiesta ($15,135 MSRP): This petite hatchback might have been discontinued in 2019, but you can still pick up a relatively new model for cheap.
- Ford Ranger ($27,425 MSRP): While not compact by this article’s standards, it’s still one of the smallest options available in the contemporary truck market.
- Ford Maverick ($22,470 MSRP): Even smaller than the Ranger, the Maverick is a great option for your casual trucking needs.
Ford only offers one traditional car—the Mustang. Larger SUV and truck choices include the F-150, the Edge, the Expedition, and the Explorer.
What is Ford’s smallest car?
The Ford EcoSport is the smallest Ford on the market. Let’s look at how that breaks down in terms of size:
- Ford EcoSport wheelbase: 99.2 inches
- Ford EcoSport passenger volume: 91.1 cubic feet
What is Ford’s cheapest car?
Ford EcoSport again tops our list as the cheapest new Ford you can buy with a starting price of $23,335 for the 2022 model year.
MORE:
Ford common problems
How to save on Ford insurance
While you might assume that smaller cars have smaller insurance costs, that’s not always true. Sometimes it’s more expensive to insure a compact SUV like the Ford Bronco Sport compared to a full-size sedan because of the cost of materials and repairs.
It’s always possible to lower your
car insurance
rates when you use the Jerry
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