Some 20 months after we saw the Ford EcoSport concept unveiled at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo, the finished product has landed on South African shores to do battle in the burgeoning compact crossover market.
Based on Ford’s global B-segment platform, the EcoSport has been designed to offer the agility, affordability and fuel efficiency of a compact car with the versatility and spaciousness of an SUV. Seating for five adults and 362-litres of cargo space marks a practical start, but there is more to bolster the EcoSport’s appeal.
The styling follows Ford’s current ‘Kinetic Design’ language which, in the case of the EcoSport, is characterised by the gaping trapezoidal grille, narrow headlights, short overhangs, raked A-pillars and the obvious raised ride height. The handle for the tailgate has been neatly integrated into the right rear light cluster. Ford say the EcoSport compact SUV will appeal to a youthful customer who has an adventurous spirit and who expects to enjoy the benefits of modern technology.
The EcoSport’s high driving position, rugged looks, and easy manoeuvrability make it a promising compromise for navigating the daily grind. Although the EcoSport boasts ground clearance of 200 mm and a wading depth of 550 mm, its exclusive front-wheel drive layout means it isn’t destined for demanding off-road excursions, but should be adequate for exploring our country’s many dirt roads.
Power to the front wheels comes from a choice of two petrol and one diesel engine. The entry-level 1.5-litre petrol unit offers 82 kW and 138 Nm of torque, is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and consumes 6.5 l/100km on average. While we didn’t get to sample this derivative at launch, the 1.5-litre engine is a new addition to the Ford South Africa product range and can be paired with the company’s 6-speed, dual-clutch, PowerShift transmission.
Ford’s 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, turbocharged EcoBoost engine is a two-time International Engine of the Year winner and shoves the EcoSport along with a substantial 92 kW and 170 Nm of torque. Also mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, the EcoBoost engine is capable of returning an average fuel consumption figure of 5.7 l/100km. On the local launch in Kwa-Zulu Natal, the little 3-cylinder offered perky performance considering the vehicle’s 1 676 kg mass and often meant lifting off the throttle to stay within the national speed limit.
The 1.5-litre TDCi turbo-diesel engine produces 66 kW and a healthy 205 Nm of torque. Peak torque is available from 2 000 r/min, which should make light work of stop-go city driving conditions, but through KZN’s rolling hills the diesel’s 5-speed manual transmission required occasional stirring to maintain cruising speed, however, fuel economy is the TDCi’s plus point with an average consumption of just 4.6 l/100km.
The interior borrows styling from the popular Fiesta hatchback, although the plastics feel harder wearing, if a little coarse. The switchgear and its layout is therefore familiar to the Ford stable, with the centre control stack remaining a busy-looking affair, but easy enough get on terms with.
Passenger accommodation is very good in both the front and rear, while the boot offers more height than depth, but 705-litres with the rear seats folded flat. The rear door swings open for easy access with a low load height and spare wheel mounted on the tailgate to save interior space, whilst adding to the EcoSport’s baby SUV character.
Ice Blue back-lighting lends sophistication to the dashboard, while cup holders, door pockets, cooled glovebox and underseat storage trays take care of life’s clutter. Three levels of specification are available, namely Ambiente, Trend and Titanium.
The 1.5 Petrol Ambiente features power side mirrors, air conditioning, radio/CD with auxiliary input, power front windows and 15-inch steel wheels. The EcoBoost and TDCi Trend models build on this with audio controls on the steering wheel that work with the Ford Sync voice-activated and Bluetooth connectivity system. A 12v power source is available in the rear, along with a sunglasses holder and silver coloured interior door handles. The exterior styling is also updated with body coloured door handles and mirrors with integrated indicators, black roof rails and 16-inch alloy wheels.
The Titanium specification is available with all engine options and adds furthert exterior enhancements such as front fog lights with chrome surrounds, a chrome upper and lower front grille, as well as silver roof rack rails. Rain sensing windscreen wipers, auto-activated headlamps, leather seats, leather steering wheel as well as a leather covered gear knob, make for a more premium feeling interior. Other Titanium model highlights are cruise control, automatic climate control, and anti-dazzle rearview mirror.
Standard safety features on all models includes driver and passenger air bags, as well as side and curtain air bags. Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) are also standard, while Electronic Stability (ESC) and Traction Control (TCS) systems are included with the EcoBoost and TDCi Titanium models, with the petrol-powered 1.5 Titanium PowerShift gains Hill Launch Assist.
Driving the new EcoSport is a comfortable experience, with suspension travel and chunky tyres providing adequate cushioning against KZN’s pothole ridden road network. The steering is light and, as with many modern electric power assisted steering systems, could firm up a bit more at higher speeds. Ford have paid attention to lowering levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) within the cabin, with the results being rather good.
The Ford EcoSport’s contemporary and conventional SUV styling could find wider appeal than its biggest rival, the audaciously styled Nissan Juke. It’s a pity the EcoBoost engine isn’t available with Ford’s dual-clutch transmission, but nevertheless, the diminutive turbo’d engine is likely to continue to win people over as it has done in the Fiesta hatch, with a blend of performance and economy that’s hard to beat.
| Pricing (Incl. VAT and CO2 Tax) | |
| Ford EcoSport 1.5 TiVCt Ambiente | R199 000 |
| Ford EcoSport 1.0 GTDi Trend | R224 000 |
| Ford EcoSport 1.5 TDCi Trend | R229 000 |
| Ford EcoSport 1.0 GTDi Titanium | R244 000 |
| Ford EcoSport 1.5 TiVCT Titanium PowerShift | R244 000 |
| Ford EcoSport 1.5 TDCi Titanium | R249 000 |
Pricing includes a 4-year/100 000 km warranty, 4-year/60 000 km service plan and 3-years of roadside assistance.
