Ford EcoSport review – Is it still desirable?

The Ford EcoSport was the compact SUV that started the trend in India, with other manufacturers following suit with their respective models. The EcoSport has been a humble, brilliant all-round car which made it hugely popular when it was first introduced. And while some rivaling manufacturers tried their hand at hatchback crossovers, it was only in 2016 when the Ford had face serious competition, in form of Maruti Suzuki’s Brezza and Tata’s Nexon. And with the recent fierce competition from brands like Kia, Hyundai and Nissan, Ford’s EcoSport has lost what once made it a hit. Over time, Ford Cars has given it lots of updates, the most recent of which, was the facelift it received in 2017. Is the facelift model worth considering? We help you decide.

A face everyone likes

When looked at from outside, you’ll notice that the bonnet comes with a mild power bulge, while lower down, you will see bigger headlamps that have projectors and LED DRL signatures elements. In huge triangular housings, you will find both, fog lights and indicators, and then, there’s the Ford grille in chrome. The side profile is the same, but the 17-inch wheels give it a sporty look. At the rear too, nothing much has changed. But even, as of today, the Ford EcoSport still has a certain charm to it that we love.

Step in, please

The instrument cluster, although a bit too plain, looks nice. There’s no chrome, and we like how the needle lights up when you turn on the car. It even features a digital speedometer and a tyre pressure monitor, both of which can be controlled through the buttons on the lovely steering. And with all the functional bits around, it’s very clear that quality has seen a step-up. Everything feels good to touch, giving it an expensive feel. However, hard plastics are present too. Practicality-wise, the cup-holders are well sized and the big door bins are very useful. Space at the rear isn’t much, but once you’re seated, you’re comfortable because of the raised rear bench – and this also helps with visibility out-front. Also, thanks to the long seat squab, under-thigh support is good. It’s just that we wish the width of the cabin was better. The cushions are soft, compared to the old firm seats. On the top-of-the-line Titanium+ variant, you are allowed to forward-fold the base of the seat if a flat floor is what you want.

The seats up-front are wide and provide good back support; also, the bolstering make them comfy to sit on. The driver’s seat can be adjusted for height, while the steering can be adjusted for tilt.

A driver’s car?

The Ford EcoSport comes with a 1.5-litre Dragon petrol engine that develops 121bhp and 150Nm of torque, but doesn’t feature a turbocharger and direct fuel-injection. The new motor impresses you in more ways than one, particularly at how refined it is. Despite being a 3-cylinder motor, you don’t hear much. Vibrations are cleverly contained, because of which, it is quiet. Drivability is impressive as well, and pulls well from low revs. The engine’s power delivery is linear and the effortless surge of power through the rev range is worth a mention. Press down on the throttle, and the car shoot ahead, but it isn’t free-revving. However, the motor’s tractability makes up for it, and the tall gearing helps in terms of frugality. The car accelerates with vim, helping you reach good speeds on highways. Even overtaking in the EcoSport is a breeze, but doesn’t feel as punchy as the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol motor.

The 1.5-litre engine comes synced to either a 5-speed manual or an automatic transmission. The manual ‘box isn’t a great experience, but the clutch is light. The 6-speed torque-converter isn’t as quick to respond as the previous dual-clutch auto ‘box, but it works just fine in the city. There is a Sport mode for those of you who’d like to bring out the racecar driver in you, but we’d recommend using the paddle-shifters to make the most of its performance.

The final call

There are some really good discounts on the EcoSport for those who still love it, and the top-of-the-line model comes well equipped. Overall quality is good, and the touchscreen works well. But it’s the engine we’d suggest buying it for. By and large, it’s still a good all-rounder, and with an auto ‘box on offer, it definitely cuts the mustard. Also, grab the latest info on the new cars, only at autoX.