With their commuter-friendly performance and thrifty price tags, the 2020 Ford EcoSport and Toyota CH-R have mass appeal. But which of these subcompact crossovers is more comfortable? Which has the best tech lineup? Check out our side-by-side comparison to learn more.
space and Comfort
Space and Comfort: 2020 Ford EcoSport
Ford’s subcompact crossover earns your affections with its smooth, quiet ride and roomy cabin. You’ll also love the seats, which offer supportive cushioning for long-haul comfort. You can even dress your EcoSport up in luxury features, like leather upholstery and heated front seats.
With the CH-R, you also get a lot of comfort for your money. The seats are nicely shaped and cushioned. However, patchy pavement can mean a rough ride for passengers. The cabin also has a tendency to get loud, letting in wind and road noise infiltrate your ride.
Street Smarts
Street Smarts: 2020 Ford EcoSport
The EcoSport also impresses with its tech lineup. All four trim models come standard with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and a couple of USB ports, so you can take connectivity on the road. All but the base S model come standard with the Sync 3 infotainment interface, which includes a savvy 8-inch touchscreen and smartphone integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Remote engine start, a favorite feature, is always optional.
The Toyota CH-R offers many of these same features – including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, Toyota’s Entune infotainment system isn’t quite as likeable as Ford’s Sync 3. The menus are easy to read in a glance, but the touchscreen isn’t always as responsive as we’d like.
Sporty Ride
Sporty Ride: 2020 Ford EcoSport
In addition to parking-friendly dimensions and a thrifty ride, the EcoSport adds some athleticism to your daily drive. No matter which trim model you select, you can always add traction-boosting all-wheel drive to your EcoSport. The EcoSport also offers an engine upgrade, giving you 166 horsepower and 149 pound-feet of torque to sail past slow-moving traffic with ease.
Every Toytoa CH-R comes with the same engine, which makes 144 horses and 139 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain does a good job of getting you up to speed. However, all-wheel drive isn’t available for the CH-R.
Best EPA Ratings
Best EPA Ratings: 2020 Toyota CH-R
Here, the CH-R earns some points. With 29 mpg combined (27 city/31 highway mpg), it’s the most efficient of the pair. However, the 2020 EcoSport is a close runner-up, earning 28 mpg combined (27/29 mpg) with front-wheel drive. With all-wheel drive, the EcoSport earns 25 mpg combined (23/29 mpg).
The Toyota CH-R conserves a little extra fuel, but the 2020 Ford EcoSport is our first choice overall. With its sporty performance, savvy tech features, and roomy comfort, the EcoSport is tough to beat.