Ford Ecosport

Overview

It was back in 2003 when the first generation Ford EcoSport hatched from its egg and saw the daylight. However, not all the markets across the globe were fortunate enough to get it. The Filipinos had to wait just over a decade to finally get their hands on the EcoSport which Ford brought in the country in 2014. It was the second generation of this subcompact crossover SUV which quickly gained popularity amongst the population and soon it was one of the best selling vehicles in its category, primarily because it was that much more affordable than its rivals. Now, the 2018 Ford EcoSport is here with which Ford has tried to improve the shortcomings of the earlier model. So has Ford been successful in ironing out the wrinkles of the EcoSport? Let’s find out.

Interior & Features

We are glad to report that Ford took time to bring about a few changes in the interior of the 2018 EcoSport. The layout has been revamped and we don’t get the aircraft-inspired dashboard and centre console anymore. For a refreshing look, Ford has kept things clean and tidy. The most prominent change inside the cabin is the inclusion of a new touchscreen that sits vertically at the centre of the dashboard. It features Ford’s SYNC 3 connectivity and also comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The new EcoSport also has a reverse parking camera which broadcasts on the touchscreen what’s behind the car.

The seats on the new EcoSport have been slightly tweaked to give better support. The front seats offer good lumbar support to accommodate people of varying body types. The rear seats are a bit upright but offer a good amount of legroom. Further enhancing the comfort level is the presence of the automatic climate control.

Exterior

When it comes to the looks, the 2018 Ford EcoSport isn’t really a totally new car rather a facelift of the previous model. Ford has decided to not alter a whole lot of the aesthetics of the new model. The front fascia is where most of the changes can be seen. You can clearly see the redesigned headlamps. While the silhouette is somewhat similar to that of the old model, the new headlamps are a bit wider than sleek and are HIDs with projectors. There is also a set of LED daytime running lights. The front grille has been uplifted and houses the Ford logo in the centre. Ford has also redesigned the front bumper for a sporty appearance. We also spot a set of new fog lamps. If you notice closely you will spot a bump or raise at the bonnet.

Moving to the side profile of the car, we see that Ford has softened the character line that runs through the door handles. The rest of the design here remains the same. Even at the rear of the car, we don’t see any significant changes and things seem familiar with a two-piece combination tail light and the boot lid mounted spare wheel.

Ride & Handling

Being a subcompact crossover, the Ford EcoSport isn’t going to blow you away with its superb handling. It isn’t a Fiesta. But still, the handling of the new model has been improved thanks to wider tires and larger 17-inch wheels. Also, Ford has set the suspension a bit towards the firmer side to get that much extra stability in the corners. The body roll has been reduced but can still be felt when driving enthusiastically around bends.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

There are two engine options of the Ford EcoSport available in the Philippines. The first one is a 1.5-liter unit that has been programmed to produce 123 PS of max power and 150 Nm of torque. This engine has been installed in the Ambiente and Trend trims of the car. While the former trim is available with only a 5-speed manual transmission, the latter comes with an option of a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The other engine available is Ford’s famous 1.0-liter EcoBoost unit. It has won the International Engine of the Year for 6 years running. This engine produces 125 PS of power and 170 Nm of torque and promises to deliver a thrift fuel economy. The 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine is available only with the Titanium trim and comes with only the automatic gearbox.

Braking & Safety

The brakes of the 2018 Ford EcoSport provide adequate bite and shed speed quickly. They are further aided by Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). To keep the occupants of the car safe, the new EcoSport comes with dual airbags that are standard across all the trims. There are other airbags like the curtain and front side airbags which come with specific variants. We also get the hill start assist, hill descent control, electronic stability control, traction control system, rear park assist, etc.

Verdict

The new 2018 Ford EcoSport is definitely an improvement over the previous model. It looks better, performs better, handles better, features a large touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. Ford has done a commendable job in making the new EcoSport an overall improved model. It clearly shows that Ford has paid attention while making the EcoSport even though it sits at the bottom of Ford’s SUV line-up here in the Philippines. Available in 6 color options - Ingot Silver, Race Red, Crystal White, Absolute Black, Blue Lightning, and Canyon Ridge - the 2018 Ford EcoSport has a starting price of Php 918,000.