Ford officially pulled the covers off its EcoSport subcompact SUV today ahead of the LA Auto Show. The timing could hardly be better. According to Ford, there were about 70,000 subcompact 'utes sold in 2011, which makes the 276,000 sold in 2015 a four-fold increase. And by 2020, the Blue Oval expects 2015's total to double. Considering the Ford EcoSport is the best-selling compact SUV outside the United States, the automaker seems likely to become a segment leader in short order.

The Ford EcoSport is nothing if not cute. The automaker's well-worn and angular fascia leads the way, followed by a steeply raked windshield. Upright sides and muscular wheel arches lead the eyes to a prominent C-pillar. Faux skid plates front and rear join lower-bodyside cladding to lend a modestly appropriate off-road look. Not that anyone will ever actually take an EcoSport very far off the beaten path, of course. Four trim levels will be available, starting with S, moving to SE, SES, and finally Titanium. Pricing has not yet been announced.

Inside, the EcoSport can look mature or extroverted, with the SES model getting copper trim and seat accents. An eight-inch screen floats above the center stack and features Sync 3, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, all of which can send tunes through an optional 10-speaker, 675-watt B&O PLAY audio system from Harman.

Power comes from either a 1.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost three-cylinder for front-wheel-drive models or a 2.0-liter four-cylinder for buyers who opt for four-wheel drive. Horsepower and fuel efficiency aren't yet available, but both engines will be paired with a six-speed automatic transmission when the EcoSport goes on sale in early 2018.

If you want to see the new EcoSport in person, you're in luck... assuming you live near Hollywood, that is. Register here for tickets to Ford's Go Small, Live Big experience, which runs on for two nights starting on Tuesday, November 15. There'll be plenty of live music and Snapchatting, along with lots of local food vendors, and, um... tiny houses. And even a bunch of tiny rescue animals – hedgehogs! – and exercise equipment.

Car and Driver reports the EcoSport — it's pronounced like "echo," not like "EcoBoost" — will start at $20,990, among the lowest in a class that includes the Honda HR-V, the Mazda CX-3 and the Kia Soul. It's expected to go on sale early next year.

Its base model is the S, powered by a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine delivering 123 horsepower and 125 foot-pounds of torque. It features a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. An extra $1,500 gets you an all-wheel-drive version with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four-cylinder with 167 hp and 149 lb-ft of torque.

Standard features include auto stop-start technology, two fast-charging USB ports, Bluetooth, 12- and 110-volt power outlets and up to 30 stowage pockets, bins and hooks. It also comes with the option of the B&O Play audio system designed by Harman.

The EcoSport SE at $23,900 adds features like a sunroof and rear parking sensors, while the $26,735 Titanium and $27,735 SES add leather upholstery and navigation.

Honestly its worth the $$$$ to spend 2-3k more and get a stripper Rav4 with all the extra room over this dork mobile Ford. I'd rather have a much roomier stripper Rav4 close to the price of what Honda/Chevy/Buick/Mazda/Ford is selling a decently equipped mini-mini suv for similar $$$$$