Ford EcoSport is the car that kick started the sub 4-meter compact SUV segment in India. With the success of the EcoSport, many other brands jumped right into the segment. Ford has now updated the EcoSport and it looks ready to take on the segment with a new look and new list of features.
Looks
The EcoSport has always been a good looking vehicle. With the update, Ford has added a masculine factor to the vehicle. The new EcoSport gets a new single grille, which is bigger in size. The bonnet lid gets new creases and there are new headlamps and fog lamps integrated to the side indicators. The EcoSport looks fresh now.
Ford has put new 16-inch alloy wheels and 17-inch alloy wheels for the top-end variant. Rest of the profile remains same as before. At EcoSport retains the bootlid mounted spare tyre with the update.
Interiors
The biggest changes happened on the inside. Ford EcoSport missed out on a proper touch-screen infotainment system. It later offered one but it was only available with a limited variant. With the update, Ford now puts SYNC3 infotainment system with 8.5 inch floating touchscreen infotainment system. Lower variants will come with 6.5-inch screen. The screen gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
The front seats have been updated and have become wider and softer. The side bolsters do a good job and keep you in place even while taking hard turns.
The EcoSport also gets an updated steering wheel which gets controls to operate the Multi Information Display (MID) on the console. The MID is surrounded by two big dials that act as a tachometer and a speedometer. There are smaller dials below that show the fuel level and the vehicle temperature. This car has decent space. It is not as big as the other cars in the segment but it sure has enough space to accommodate three adults comfortably.
Engine and drive
Ford has placed an all-new Dragon series petrol engine in the new EcoSport. The 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder engine replaces the 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine. The naturally aspirated petrol engine produces a maximum of 120 Bhp and 150 Nm.
The engine is unlike any other three-cylinder. It is quite well balanced and quiet too. The rev friendly engine makes a lot of noise on the higher rpms though.
We drove the automatic version of the petrol engine. It is a torque converter automatic and is tuned to give good performance while maintaining high fuel efficiency.
The diesel unit is the same 1.5-litre TDCI unit that generates a maximum of 98 Bhp and 205 Nm. The tried and tested engine comes paired with a 5-speed manual transmission.
Should you buy it?
The EcoSport is undoubtedly the best vehicle to drive in the segment. Ford has also made the suspension little softer to add comfort. If you love to drive your own vehicle, this is the one to go for. Ford has always been very competitive in the pricing game. The prices will be announced on the 9th November and if Ford keeps the prices similar to the current ones, it will be a priority choice for many.
