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 Corolla Hatchback doesn't offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The EcoSport has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Corolla Hatchback doesn't offer all-wheel drive.

Both the EcoSport and the Corolla Hatchback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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 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 Toyota Corolla Hatchback:

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

There are over 2 times as many Ford dealers as there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the EcoSport's warranty.

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 Corolla Hatchback 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 Corolla Hatchback doesn't offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the EcoSport's brake rotors are larger than those on the Corolla Hatchback:

The EcoSport stops shorter than the Corolla Hatchback:

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

For better maneuverability, the EcoSport's turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Corolla Hatchback's (35.1 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The EcoSport is 10.7 inches shorter than the Corolla Hatchback, 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 Corolla Hatchback doesn't offer active grille shutters.

The EcoSport has 6.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Corolla Hatchback (91.1 vs. 84.6).

The EcoSport has 1.2 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front legroom, 6.8 inches more rear legroom and 5.4 inches more rear hip room than the Corolla Hatchback.

The EcoSport has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Corolla Hatchback 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 Corolla Hatchback doesn't offer electronic trailer sway control.

The EcoSport offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Corolla Hatchback doesn't offer a remote starting system.

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 Corolla Hatchback doesn't offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The EcoSport's standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn't have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Corolla Hatchback's manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The EcoSport SES/Titanium's standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

Consumer Reports rated the EcoSport's headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Corolla Hatchback's headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The EcoSport SES/Titanium's standard rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Corolla Hatchback doesn't offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

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 Corolla Hatchback 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 Corolla Hatchback 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 $310 to $1965 less than the Corolla Hatchback over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the EcoSport is less expensive to operate than the Corolla Hatchback because typical repairs cost less on the EcoSport than the Corolla Hatchback, including $60 less for a water pump, $155 less for a starter, $101 less for fuel injection and $46 less for front struts.