Ford EcoSport - The Sales Driving American Crossover

MANILA: Ford EcoSport is not a new name in the auto world. The American auto giant has been very thoughtful of introducing this crossover. The popularity of this drive is spread not only in our country but across all the markets where it is available so far. Introduced back in the year 2004, the second generation was introduced in the year 2013 and there is no downfall in the demand. Talking particularly about the Philippines automotive market, Ford sold as many as 852 units of EcoSport in June 2016 with overall sales of 4367 units sold out between January and June this year. Surely, the figures achieved by this drive is tremendous not only this year but since its inception making its parent stand among the leading auto brands.

Have a look at the features, which make this Ford Crossover a big hit in any market including the Philippines -

Stylish Structure

Ford has ensured that this crossover looks as stylish as any SUV. The crossover comes with the aerodynamic front, which not only gives it a perfect off-roader like appearance but enhances its efficiency. The sporty and robust appeal is the main reason behind its upshooting sales. The broad front with chrome finish and stretched dual halogen headlamps create an impressive front while the sides and bonnet are creased to give it a sporty look. The rear has equally stylish tail lamps while the tailgate has a spare wheel to save you from getting stuck in the middle of the road when you have a flat tyre. With this, we would like to mention that this structure is not just about the appearance but also about comfort in maneuvering in the narrow Filipino lanes. The overall dimensions carried by this drive are 4245 mm x 1765 mm x 1708 mm (L X W X H) which even allows you to park your EcoSport in tight parking spaces.

Wide Color Options

Surely it brings a big smile on any customer's face if s/he is offered with a wide choice of colors. Ford EcoSport is available in 7 colors – Mars Red, Candy Red, Lunar Sky, Ingot Silver, Frozen White, Panther Black and Winning Blue. The color palette is designed in such a way that it suits to someone who likes soothing colors or even the vibrant colors. The absolutely balanced color options surely win the hearts. One glitch here is that not all colors are available for all the 3 trims.

Compact Yet Comfortable

So, we all know that Ecosport is a crossover and just like any other cross, this drive has a compact structure which is well defined with 2521 mm of wheelbase. The cabin has enough space to accommodate 5 passengers with more than average height and heavy build-up. The top-notch variant has got power sunroof while the other 2 trims, i.e. Trend and Ambiente are not given this privilege. But, there are numerous other aspects, which make your traveling fun and comfortable in all the 3 variants. You get AM/FM, USB, iPod, AUX, and MP3 packed entertainment system in this Ford drive with as many as 6 speakers. Also, the advanced Ford SYNC with Bluetooth and Voice Control is also packed standard feature in the Titanium and Trend trims.

Ride & Handling

The overall dynamics of Ford EcoSport can give some of its contemporaries a run for the money. The McPherson front suspension along with semi-independent twist beam rear one handles the drive well in all road conditions. The best part of the rear suspension is that even if you are driving on hilly or uneven terrain and one tire is uplifted due to the rough driveway, rest of the 3 wheels stay stable on the path ensuring best of the stability. The engine, however, seems to make some noise while accelerating on the rough roads but on smooth driveways, you would hardly hear any engine sound.

Crossover With SUV Capabilities

Yes, not many crossovers can claim to have capabilities of an SUV. In the case of Ford EcoSport, this drive comes with a minimum ground clearance of 200 mm which is good enough to be compared with most of the SUVs available in the market. Surely, this feature allows it to be taken on varied terrain. The company claims that the new EcoSport has a capability of 500 mm of water wading, which is surely an SUV thing. Also, there is Hill Launch Assist aspect which holds the brake for a few seconds, even after you leave the brake, to allow smooth acceleration from uphill slopes or down.

Performance-Based Engine

Undoubtedly, Ford is known for its engines. Did you read the recent news where Ford was awarded Engine Of The Year Award 2016 for its 1.0L EcoBoost engine? Though EcoSport doesn't have this technology and is powered by 1.5-litre TiVCT unit across its variants, but this naturally aspirated engine is no less in churning out power. You get a maximum power of 110 PS at 6300 rpm along with a maximum torque counting to 142 Nm at 4500 rpm, sounds good enough for a crossover. Across its trims, this soul is mated with either a 5-speed manual or a powershift 6-speed automatic gearshift.

With such features standing by its side, Ford EcoSport has been a big threat for its rivals in the crossover segment in the Philippines. The starting price of PhP 775,000 is another factor which is pretty competitive in its segment.