Ford EcoSport: The crossovers in the race
Posted On | May 08, 2019 | 661 Views
manila
| Engine | 1498 cc |
| Power | 121 hp |
| Seating | 5 seats |
| Ground Clearance | 209 mm |
| Driver Airbag | Yes |
| Anti-Lock Braking System | Yes |
| Power Steering | Yes |
Ford has been making vehicles with really tough build quality since the beginning, and the Ecosport, despite its compact size and affordability, possesses great build. It classifies under one of the strongest SUVs when it comes to fit and finish, which is comparable to SUVs from one segment above.
Being a compact SUV in today’s time is one tough job, as it has to be one great value for money offering. The Ecosport does offer some really nice and premium comfort and convenience as well as safety features for a vehicle of its class, which makes it one of the most fully loaded compact SUVs.
Following the traditions of its siblings, the Ecosport offers brilliant driving dynamics. The suspension feels sturdy, the feel from steering feels connective and the body roll is well under control, despite having a high ground clearance of nearly 200mm.
Being a sub-four meter compact SUV, the Ecosport falls a bit short in terms of in-cabin space. While the feel in front seats is fantastic, the rear bench feels a bit cramped with limited legroom and knee room, making it a bit uncomfortable for long runs.
While the Ford Ecosport showcases tough build quality, some of the switches as well as dashboard panels comprise of low-quality bits, making it feel a bit low rent at some places.
The Ecosport’s 1.5-litre petrol engine pumps out a decent amount of power and torque outputs, however, the fuel efficiency in urban conditions is a bit underwhelming.
| Variant | Price | Specifications | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 L Ambiente MT |
₱920,000 *
SRP Price
|
1498 cc, 121 hp, 5 seats, Gasoline | VIEW SEPTEMBER PROMOS |
| 1.5 L Trend MT |
₱970,000 *
SRP Price
|
1498 cc, 121 hp, 5 seats, Gasoline | VIEW SEPTEMBER PROMOS |
| 1.5 L Trend AT |
₱1.03 Million*
SRP Price
|
1498 cc, 121 hp, 5 seats, Gasoline | VIEW SEPTEMBER PROMOS |
|
|
|||
| 1.5 L Titanium AT |
₱1.1 Million*
SRP Price
|
1498 cc, 123 hp, 5 seats, Gasoline | VIEW SEPTEMBER PROMOS |
| 1.0 L Titanium AT |
₱1.19 Million*
SRP Price
|
998 cc, 123 hp, 5 seats, Gasoline | VIEW SEPTEMBER PROMOS |
Ask from fellow Ecosport Owners and Zigwheels experts
Millions of people rely on the contributions like yours to decide which cars to buy
₱920,000 - ₱1.19 Million
₱920,000 - ₱1.19 Million
₱920,000 - ₱1.19 Million
₱920,000 - ₱1.19 Million
₱920,000 - ₱1.19 Million
Ecosport is available in 6 different colors - Ingot Silver, Race Red, Crystal White, Absolute Black, Blue Lightning and Canyon Riged.
Ingot Silver
Race Red
Crystal White
Absolute Black
Blue Lightning
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Your review will give better insights of cars
I love driving and always look to buy cars that are fun to drive. SUVs do not really fall in that fun to drive category, so when I was looking to buy a new car it was really tough to pick something that was an SUV and still fun. When I test drove the EcoSport, it was a done deal!
When my search began for a compact SUV one of my main criteria was that it should be fun to drive. After test driving everything I finally zeroed in on the EcoSport. Never expected a mini SUV to drive like this. It is very well balanced and loads of fun to drive. The high ground clearance does mean that there
To me affordability mattered while selecting my car. I am into a mid management level job and just shifted to the city with a decent job. Though I make more or less comfortable living but you have to plan your budget well when you are staying in a foreign country. So considering that aspect I decided to opt for a
My favourite little SUV is the Ford Ecosport, it looks big for its size. The best thing about this little Ford is the way it handles, its a blast to drive. If you want a compact SUV where you can have fun driving, the Ecosport is the one to get.
I run my photography business for which I have to carry the car to the client’s places for the shoots. I was looking for the car which can carry my stuff and assistants. I got many suggestions, one I got from my uncle was Ford Ecosport. I was quiet captivated by the looks of the car. I loved the structure
The safety features available in Ford Ecosport Below:
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Driver Airbag | Yes |
| Passenger Airbag | Yes |
| Side Airbag-Front | No |
| Child Safety Locks | Yes |
| Side Airbag-Rear | No |
| Anti-Lock Braking System | Yes |
| Ebd | Yes |
| Vehicle Stability Control System | Yes |
| Seat Belt Warning | Yes |
| Rear Camera | Yes |
| Parking Sensors | No |
| Crash Sensor | Yes |
| Front Impact Beams | Yes |
| Side Impact Beams | Yes |
| Door Ajar Warning | Yes |
| Traction Control | Yes |
| Engine Check Warning | Yes |
5 Ford Cars Dealers
1 Ford Cars Dealers
1 Ford Cars Dealers
1 Ford Cars Dealers
1 Ford Cars Dealers
MANILA: Just in case you are planning to get yourself a tried and tested SUV or a pickup truck that...
