IMO its more about keeping investors happy then anything else. Its like the 20-30 MPG thing with Ford SUVs about 10-15 years ago.
EVs have a perception problem and I think an active, but small minority of people bitching about them on social media, which may or may not be getting aided by bots/fake accounts from industries against them. There is just a lot of noise out there about this.
I can see this being useful in some cases (larger vehicles that tow like the super duty) but not so much in 80-90% of other products.
I would consider an EV, but a pure EV flat out won't work in my current situation (no charging at the apartment complex where I'm currently living nor at the office where I work). A true gas-electric hybrid would eliminate that concern. I don't know how many people like me are out there, but I know I'm not the only one, and Ford apparently agrees.
Now, if they'll just make it in a price range that doesn't exceed what my folks paid for the house in which I grew up...
It boils down to sourcing of models-outside of China where would they source it from? The Kuga is too expensive for other markets
I had a Venue for a rental car a few months back-it was spectacularly under impressive. it wasn't bad, but wasn't anything great either. Was just basic transportation.
I'll give them credit for being first to market in the modern era, for sure, I'm just saying that the concept they used was older than a lot of people think. The diesel-/gas-electric hybrid (with electrics doing all of the propulsion) has long seemed like a no-brainer to me, so I'm wondering why the concept hasn't flown yet.
We are car people so we are certainly more critical than Joe Public, so I hope you are correct. I certainly want the new model to be successful.
Careful with those opinions😉
Oh, i was refering to the 1st gen and second gen EcoSport being roughly the same size.
In Asia and i guess in South America, the subcompact (B) segment is split into two. The entry level which is EcoSport-sized, this includes vehicles like the Toyota Raize and Kia Sonet, and the larger size B-segment-based models that are close to the Bronco Sport in terms of size, this segment includes models like the Kia Seltos, Nissan Kicks, a Yaris Cross (bigger than the EU model) etc.
I think the Hyundai Venue is the last of the smaller entry-level subcompact CUVs/SUVs in the US. Americans obviously prefer the bigger models, while in other parts of the world there is enough interest and demand for both small and bigger subcompacts so other car companies make both.
A Maverick SUV would be great. Maybe Ford should just replace the Escape with one, it would probably be cheaper too.
The Escape-Kuga twins just got too expensive that in some markets Ford replaced them with the more affordable Territory.
I think Ford's biggest mistake is sacrificing vehicles for the rest of the world (like subcompacts) because buyers in the USA and Canada want larger models.
I think it looks good but I’m not sure I would pay $71k plus for it. I’m with you that the Wagoneer name does not fit this vehicle.
Regarding the roofline, perhaps it’s an optical illusion where the sheet metal is rising up as the roofline flows downward, and the interior space isn’t diminished as m as it appears.
No they’re not.
Gen 1 Ecosport was 166” long x 68.3” wide with 98” wheelbase (found width without mirrors here. https://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/2011/1239725/ford_ecosport_xls_1_6.html#gsc.tab=0 )
Gen 1 Escape was 175” long x 71” wide with 103” wheelbase
The big difference is that the Gen 1 Escape had much more “canopy effect” than Gen 1 Ecosport
due to a lot more shoulder width and fractionally more hip room, it gives a different sensation.
But even so, that could be embodied in something like the Maverick pickup or even canceled Maverick Utility
so I guess I’m just hopelessly looping back on a vehicle that’s the next size up…..