Ford Fiesta-Based SUV EcoSport Replacement Spied Near The Arctic Circle

The Ford EcoSport replacement has been spotted once again, this time during cold weather testing near the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia. Our photographers snapped two prototypes which were apparently racing each other on an improvised circuit on a frozen lake. (Update 3/12/2019)

Ford’s SUV onslaught is in full swing in North America and it looks like things won’t be much different in Europe either. A sign of things to come for the automaker’s European division is this Fiesta-based SUV prototype our photographers snapped in Germany.

Another Fiesta-based SUV, you say? Ford already has the EcoSport and the Fiesta Active in Europe so why does it need a third B-segment SUV? Well, the Fiesta Active is just a jacked-up version of the hatchback and the EcoSport is getting a bit too old. Not to mention it’s a bit cramped compared to competitors. The new model will replace the EcoSport to give Ford a solid boost in one of the hottest market segments right now.

A roomier, more upscale replacement for the Ford EcoSport

The as-yet-unnamed model will compete with small SUVs such as the Mazda CX-3, Renault Captur, Hyundai Kona, Kia Stonic, and the like. The prototype you see in the photos is in production trim but features heavy camouflage and padded panels to disguise its shape.

Still, we can spot details such as the high front end and the sloping roofline that gives it a four-door coupe vibe. Newer photos also reveal the final production LED taillights that resemble those on the new Fiesta but seem to be more elongated. It definitely looks bigger and better-proportioned than the EcoSport, as well as more dynamic.

It should debut at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show and go on sale in 2020

The interior will not only offer more space compared to the EcoSport but also a more premium environment. Expect Ford to offer trims such as Titanium and ST-Line above the standard grade. New pictures provide the first look at the dashboard but, as you can see, it’s still a work in progress. The steering wheel is clearly sourced from the Fiesta and the instrument panel might be taken from the supermini as well.

As a recent report from Autonews Europe revealed, this new model will be made in the same plant in Craiova, Romania where the EcoSport is currently built for European markets. The model will co-exist with the Fiesta Active jacked-up hatchback and will cover the market segment below the Kuga.

The name of Ford’s new SUV remains a mystery for now, though it’s rumored to adopt the Puma moniker. We’ll see whether that holds true later this year when Ford is expected to unveil the new Fiesta-based SUV at the Frankfurt Motor Show.