The Ford EcoSport has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Outlander Sport doesn't offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the EcoSport. But it costs extra on the Outlander Sport.

The EcoSport has standard 911 Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Outlander Sport doesn't offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you're involved in an accident and you're incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the EcoSport and the Outlander Sport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford EcoSport is safer than the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford EcoSport is safer than the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The EcoSport's corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Outlander Sport's (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 9 times as many Ford dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the EcoSport's warranty.

The EcoSport's 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 18 more horsepower (166 vs. 148) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (149 vs. 145) than the Outlander Sport's standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford EcoSport is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the EcoSport gets better fuel mileage than the Outlander Sport GT 4WD 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder (23 city/29 hwy vs. 23 city/28 hwy).

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the EcoSport's engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Outlander Sport doesn't offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The EcoSport has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it's removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Outlander Sport doesn't offer a cap-less fueling system.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the Ford EcoSport as a “Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle” (PZEV). The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

For better stopping power the EcoSport's front brake rotors are larger than those on the Outlander Sport:

The EcoSport stops shorter than the Outlander Sport:

The EcoSport's standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Outlander Sport S' standard 70 series tires. The EcoSport's optional tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Outlander Sport ES/LE/SE/GT's 55 series tires.

The EcoSport has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Outlander Sport's suspension doesn't offer gas-charged shocks.

The EcoSport SES handles at .77 G's, while the Outlander Sport 4WD pulls only .76 G's of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The EcoSport is 10.6 inches shorter than the Outlander Sport, making the EcoSport easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the EcoSport uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Outlander Sport doesn't offer active grille shutters.

The EcoSport has .2 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front legroom and .4 inches more rear legroom than the Outlander Sport.

The EcoSport has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Outlander Sport with its rear seat folded (50 vs. 49.5 cubic feet).

The EcoSport has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Outlander Sport has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the EcoSport uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Outlander Sport doesn't offer electronic trailer sway control.

The power windows standard on both the EcoSport and the Outlander Sport have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the EcoSport is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander Sport prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don't have them with you, you can let yourself in using the EcoSport's available exterior PIN entry system. The Outlander Sport doesn't offer an exterior PIN entry system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the EcoSport has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Outlander Sport only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn't as good.

To shield the driver and front passenger's vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the EcoSport has standard extendable sun visors. The Outlander Sport doesn't offer extendable visors.

On extremely cold winter days, the EcoSport SES/Titanium's standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Outlander Sport doesn't offer a heated steering wheel.

The EcoSport (except S) offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Outlander Sport doesn't offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the EcoSport owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the EcoSport will cost $180 to $2375 less than the Outlander Sport over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the EcoSport is less expensive to operate than the Outlander Sport because it costs $36 less to do the manufacturer's suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the EcoSport than the Outlander Sport, including $336 less for a water pump, $185 less for a starter, $145 less for fuel injection, $255 less for a fuel pump and $118 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford EcoSport will be $336 to $1022 less than for the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.

The Ford EcoSport outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport by 45% during the 2021 model year.