Ford EcoSport 2018 Review

You could sense Ford’s eagerness to attract new buyers to showrooms when it first launched the EcoSport SUV back in 2013.

The rationale at the time made sense: the compact SUV market was in its infancy and there were plenty of prospective buyers to be lured into the fold.

However, the original EcoSport hit the market without a reversing camera, without sat-nav and without an automatic transmission in selected variants.

Fast-forward to 2017 and the original EcoSport — unlike other compact SUVs launched since — clearly hasn’t materialised into the sales winner the Blue Oval had hoped for.

In the face of renewed competition from Mazda CX-3, Honda HR-V, Suzuki Vitara, Mitusbishi ASX and Subaru XV, the cheap and cheerful Ford has stagnated.

That’s where the newly update EcoSport comes in frame. The engine line-up now exclusively comprises three-cylinder powertrains, there’s a new automatic transmission and loads more in-car equipment — all corresponding with price increases across the range.

As we outlined in our first drive review from the UK earlier this month, styling changes are headlined by new headlights and grille, new tail-lights and bumper. And inside the EcoSport has been spruced up significantly.

Pricing now starts at $22,790 plus on-road costs, a $2000 increase for the Ambiente base model. The mid-spec Trend chimes in at $24,490, while the flagship Titanium will set buyers back $28,990. See our EcoSport pricing story for all the details.

The caveat for many buyers moving forward could prove to be safety. The Indian-built EcoSport retains a five-star safety rating under ANCAP’s misleading scoring regime.

Basically, because it retains a 2013 date stamp it isn’t penalised for missing out on automated emergency braking (AEB) and blind spot detection. Otherwise, it would have ended up with fewer stars – like several newcomers to the Australian market.

That said, the EcoSport is fitted with seven airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. It also gets two ISOFIX child tether points on its outermost rear bleachers.

On the practicality front the Ford is paired to a 900kg braked towing capacity irrespective of engine choice.

Unlike Europe’s version, Australia’s EcoSport still comes with a full-size spare wheel mounted on the tailgate, but it soon won’t be.

Mid-way through next year Ford will introduce an MY18.5 update which will eschew the polarising rear-mounted wheel in favour of an inflation kit, but will still make do with a barn-style rear door hinged from the wrong (road, not kerb) side.

Lipstick on a pig?
We’ll be honest, stepping into the updated EcoSport is a much more satisfying experience than its predecessor.

The cabin feels better thought out and more conducive to daily driving. Things like a middle console for the driver or front passenger to lean on during extended journeys, a reversing camera and a neat colour touch-screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto -- along with digital radio and emergency assistance in-built in the event of an accident -- all amounts to a streamlined experience from behind the wheel.

The entry-level Ambiente version of the EcoSport now gets a 6.5-inch colour touch-screen, while Trend and Titanium sport a larger 8.0-inch display. All models offer a digital readout in the instrument cluster and, depending on variants, you get a fold-out centre arm rest in the second row.

Functionality is key on the infotainment front and in most cases the Ford delivers. The screen layout does take some getting used to but is generally as good as rivals, in some cases better.

Another clever addition for 2018 is the EcoSport’s seats. They offer a ‘flip and fold’ mechanism which basically enables a flat floor from the 334-litre boot forward.

The car’s narrow proportions naturally limit shoulder room inside the cabin; meaning two adults abreast would be more suitable on longer journeys. Front and rear seat room is adequate, though the latter misses out on face-level air-vents.

A plastic steering wheel on the entry variant and a lack of seat height adjustment for the front passenger pew don’t exactly set a strong first impression.

One thing shared across the EcoSport portfolio is scratchy plastics, many at the important contact points. In honesty, they leave mixed feelings when in the company of the CX-3 and HR-V, which are both miles ahead from a fit and finish point of view.

The made-to-a-budget feel is punctuated best by the EcoSport’s gear shifter, which is borrowed from the Ford parts bin. Engineers have traded the usual ‘Powershift’ button on the shifter to a ‘hill descent control’ button on the EcoSport – it all reads a bit poorly.

On the road
Things have improved markedly behind the wheel of the baby Ford, and it’s mostly thanks to the new powertrain.

A new 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated three-cylinder finds its way into the base model Ambiente, replacing the older four-cylinder engine of the same capacity.

It feels spritely in daily driving and offers more refinement (read: a healthy three-cylinder thrum) than the four-cylinder it replaces.

An 8kW/10Nm power and torque increase elevates total outputs to 90kW and 150Nm, translating to a progressive power delivery on the road. When pushed harder, such as during overtaking manoeuvres, the little triple tends to become languid in its power delivery.

Criticisms? The base model engine is quite uneven in its throttle sensitivity, causing the car to lull forward upon initial application. And strangely, the entry engine suffered from some rev hang during our brief inner-city jaunt.

By comparison, the carryover 1.0-litre turbocharged three-pot in mid-range Trend and top-shelf Titanium models leaves a stronger impression.

Zippy, energetic and endearing, the turbo triple feels at home in the city but also manages to hold highway speeds. Just don’t expect to blow by B-doubles in a big hurry.

Speaking of which, the EcoSport feels its small size on the open road. It simply doesn’t offer the same solidity and composure as some competitors over larger wallowing undulations and in cross-winds, though we’ll reserve full judgement until a more thorough assessment away from the city and freeway.

Elsewhere the car’s suspension soaks up road joins and crumbled surfaces, reflecting inconsistencies from the road underneath without crashing.

We didn’t throw the EcoSport at a corner in anger, so we’ll reserve judgement on that front for now.

But the early signs suggest it shifts its weight adeptly and offers decent body control in everyday driving. A 10.6-metre turning circle and light steering action also mate well with the car’s city-oriented pretensions.

Both EcoSport models are now paired to a six-speed torque converter (rather than dual-clutch) automatic transmission that offers an adequate spread of ratios along with smooth albeit casual changes. It’s nice to experience the smooth departure from a standstill, unlike some twin-clutch units.

Second time lucky?
EcoSport take two proves to be a more enticing package than the original, thanks to the revised engine line-up, better looks and upgraded equipment.

Where the baby Ford loses some of its appeal is in safety, cabin finish and aesthetics. In a city SUV segment full of choice, the little Ford needs to fight harder than ever to ensure its relevance.

2017 Ford EcoSport pricing and specifications:
Price: from $22,790 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol, 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 92kW/170Nm, 90kW/150Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.7L/100km, 6.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 153g/km, 159g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP