Cabin fever: A look inside Ford’s smallest crossover

Despite its size and small engine displacement, the Ford EcoSport has outsold the Explorer, Expedition, Mustang, and even the Transit combined last year.

This makes it only fitting that we take a look at what it packs in that compact cabin — making it appealing to auto buyers even if the brand is well known for its big trucks and cars.

With five variants in this trim — the Ambiente, Trend (manual and automatic transmission), the Titanium and EcoBoost Titanium — to choose from, we find out what distinguishes one EcoSport from the other in terms of interior amenities.

Spaciousness is a common denominator among all five variants, and it belies the compact exterior of the EcoSport. It can seat five, but while the redesigned dashboard and center console give the front row a little bit more space, the second-row legroom could use a few more inches. It can, however, accommodate luggage fit for an overnighter for all its passengers.

The plastics in the cabin give away the vehicle’s status as Ford’s entry-level SUV, but it does well with the layout and has reduced the number of switches and buttons to make the interior more inviting and less intimidating.

Seats on the EcoBoost Titanium are leather while all the others only have fabric seats. It can only be adjusted four ways for the driver and front passenger in the Ambiente. The Trend allows for six-way adjustment for the driver’s seat, while it remains four-way for the front passenger. In the Titanium models, it is eight-way adjustable for the driver and still four-way adjustable for the front passenger.

All variants sport the 60:40 split-fold rear seats and Isofix child anchors.

The Ambiente and Trend only get the 2.3-inch instrument cluster display but they both sport a bigger nine-inch color touchscreen infotainment display.

In the Titanium is a 4.2-inch instrument cluster display but a smaller eight-inch color and capacitive infotainment touchscreen display.

Only the Titanium gets Sync3, which is an integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system that lets users make hands-free mobile phone calls, control music, and perform other functions with the use of voice commands.

AM/FM radio is standard across all variants, and so are two USB ports (although the Titanium gets illuminated ports), Bluetooth connectivity, and the two 12V accessory power outlets (front and rear).

Ambiente and Trend models only have four speakers, while the Titanium units get seven. Only the EcoBoost Titanium gets satellite navigation.

Ford’s smart keyless entry system and the push button start/stop feature is only available in the Titanium. All else use the key-in ignition system.

Power door locks and power windows are standard across all variants and so are variable intermittent windshield wipers, follow-me-home lighting, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, steering wheel-mounted controls, sun visor with covered vanity mirror and ticket strap on driver’s side, center console with armrest, and load compartment lamp.

The Trend gets a few more extras like the cooled glove box, map lights, and the map pocket (front passenger seat) while the Ambiente does not.

Titanium models get all of the above plus a power sun roof, leather-wrapped steering wheel, electronic automatic temperature control, an overhead console with sunglasses holder, passenger vanity mirror illumination, and a rear retractable armrest.

Exclusive to the EcoBoost Titanium are rain-sensing windshield wipers and an electrochromic rearview mirror.

The EcoSport Ambiente 1.5L Manual Transmission is priced at P920,000, the EcoSport Trend 1.5L Manual Transmission is at P970,000. The EcoSport Trend 1.5L Automatic Transmission retails for P1.03 million, and the EcoSport Titanium 1.5L Automatic Transmission goes for P1.1 million while the range-topping EcoSport 5-door EcoBoost Titanium 1.5L Automatic Transmission is priced at P1.190 million.

Photos from Ford Philippines