Ford EcoSport vs Honda HR-V

Ford EcoSport vs Honda HR-V Engine Options

Providing choices so that you can customize your SUV is a big part of what Ford and Honda are all about.

At the standard level, the Ford EcoSport includes a 1.0L EcoBoost® 3-cylinder turbocharged engine, while the HR-V includes a 4-cylinder engine. Both vehicles can easily hit the 120-horsepower mark.

However, if you want to step your SUV up in terms of horsepower and torque for a more riveting experience behind the wheel, only the EcoSport gives you that opportunity. An optional 2.0L engine for the EcoSport delivers 166 horsepower and 149 lb-ft of torque.

Transmission pairings differ between the two models, as well, with Ford preferring a 6-speed automatic that's crisp and reactive. Honda, meanwhile, opts for a calmer continuously variable transmission. So, the diving points in performance come down to:

• The Ford EcoSport offers two engines for 2020, compared to one engine in the Honda HR-V.
• The Ford EcoSport provides greater horsepower (166 to 141) and greater torque (149 lb-ft to 127 lb-ft) than the Honda HR-V.

Interior Entertainment & Technology Features

Both crossovers offer some impressive features within their respective cabins as it relates to infotainment and connectivity.

The 2020 EcoSport and 2020 HR-V include a dashboard-mounted display screen for their media options.

These screens serve as your hub for music, podcasts, text messaging, phone calls, navigation, and all other in-car needs. There is a discrepancy in the size of the touchscreens, though, with the EcoSport packing an available 8-inch display compared to the 7-inch option in the Honda.

The size of the touchscreen may not be a deal-breaker for you, though. Instead, you may be after the model with the most refined and immersive sound system.

If that's the case, you again want to side with the enjoyable EcoSport, as it comes with an available 7-speaker arrangement as opposed to the available six speakers in the HR-V.

So, a quick infotainment recap concludes as so:

• The Ford EcoSport offers a larger available touchscreen than the Honda HR-V, measuring eight inches compared to seven inches.
• The Ford EcoSport has a more immersive sound system than the Honda HR-V, providing you with as many as seven speakers to just six in the Honda rival.

Exterior Design

These vehicles offer a distinctive style in the crossover class. For example, the Ford EcoSport offers the stature of a crossover, but with a more compact frame. This makes it more agile and adept at weaving in and out of traffic or fitting perfectly into tight spaces.

The Honda HR-V, on the other hand, almost seems to have a lengthier body and appears more like a wagon or hatchback rather than a crossover. The numbers back this up:

• The Honda HR-V is an unruly 170.4 inches in length, compared to the more compact EcoSport that's just 161.3 inches long.
• The Honda HR-V is also shorter than the Ford EcoSport, measuring at 63.2 inches in height, compared to as much as 65.1 inches for the EcoSport.

For many folks, there are desirable perks to having a high-riding, compact SUV like the Ford EcoSport. If you're an urban dweller, going with the Ford SUV compared to the Honda SUV will make it easier to move through cluttered streets or nestle your way into a tight parking spot.

As the subcompact automotive segment continues to grow, the proportions of the EcoSport is the blueprint used, a model that ideally blends the size of a sedan with the high-riding practicality of an SUV.

Give Your SUV a Boost of Athletic Ability

At this point, we're already aware that the Ford EcoSport delivers more power than the Honda HR-V. Yet power isn't the sole factor when determining whether a car is fun to drive.

Other factors, such as the suspension and handling of a model, will also play a role. Both the 2020 Ford EcoSport and 2020 Honda HR-V have specific sporty trims, but the Ford SUV gives you more in terms of on-road ability.

For Ford, the sporty trim of the EcoSport is called SES. By choosing the SES, your subcompact SUV can be had with a sport-tuned suspension. Along with providing a more rigid, sports car-like feel from behind the wheel, the steering of the model is more direct and precise for quick driving maneuvers.

While Honda has a trim specifically called Sport for the HR-V, the additions to this model are pretty tame and more about show than on-road results. For example, the suspension remains the same, but you get a set of showy 18-inch alloy wheels.