Sexy, adventurous, and full of very cool forward-thinking energy ideas, the Ford Reflex Concept does indeed prove that small cars can be bold and innovative. The Reflex proves this with a collection of great ideas that may actually happen, in different variations and at different times, far into the future.

That’s great. But it’s also not so great, because the Reflex is a concept while the competition is selling reality. The subcompact segment is growing, and while virtually all other automakers have jumped into the B-car pool with both feet, Ford remains with a concept small car and really nothing else to battle the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Chevrolet Aveo. Yes, there is the aging Ford Focus ZX3, but the base sticker price for the ZX3 outstrips top trim B-cars in most cases. Ford would be clever to take design cues from the Reflex and slot in a car below the Focus.

Photos by Ron Perry, Ford Motor Co.