Ford EcoSport Review: 1.0 Titanium Automatic

I was there at the initial launch of the original Ecosport in 2012. We were thrust into India’s treacherous traffic for a rigorous drive in conditions that can only be described as 'testy'. Potholes (craters, really), psychopathic traffic, unmarked asphalt that ducked and dived like a bull who'd sat in a puddle of sriracha.

Nobody died, but the car (Indian spec at that time) came across like a high-riding Figo – not a bad thing. But when that first EcoSport made it to South Africa refinement levels had inched upward.

This new car however comes across as a properly grown-up compact SUV with looks to match. That new grille gives the car a chunkier stance than ever before to match that rear-end boasting a serious looking boot-mounted spare. Hope aboard and you’re welcomed by a sombre (dark leather everywhere) but well-appointed cabin replete with mod-cons, connectivity and multimedia options. It gets the SYNC 3 infotainment system with Bluetooth, voice control, satnav on an 8-inch touch-screen. The array of features includes the likes of rain-sensing windscreen wipers, automatic headlamps and for safety you get ESP, traction and stability control, hill assist plus six airbags.

Interior quality and ambience has taken a step up in new Ecosport

Let's talk about EcoBoost

The badge on the plastic cowl under the bonnet refers to Ford’s efficient series of turbocharged petrol engines. This one is tiny, just a litre, and well, it’s not gonna light your pants on fire. Sure, 92kW and 170Nm was impressive a long time ago, but here, via Ford’s 6-speed auto, it can only muster a zero to hundred time of 12.1 seconds and a fuel consumption of 6.3l/100km. Sluggish, but for the city and urban commute it calls its natural habitat, suffice.

Still, Ford saw it fit to mount some paddle shifters to the steering column in case you’re feeling racy. Handling is competent for a tall hatchback whilst ride quality is similarly capable. It’s still ultimately a short wheel base vehicle so don’t expect limo-like smoothess while steering feel registers on the light side – again a clue into its natural urban habitat.

Okay, let’s wrap this up

When the original EcoSport launched, it didn’t have to contend with the likes of the Mazda CX-3 and Renault Captur - but oh boy, it does now. As such, I can imagine Ford must have felt the pressure to really ramp up the quality on this facelift and for what it’s worth there’s plenty here to endow it with what it needs to stave them off.

It’s a great little compact SUV but you can now add a deluge of new competitors from China, India and the aforementioned competitors for it to combat. In that regard, for the ‘Sport who ignited this market segment, life is about to get a lot tougher. However, it can still competently hold its own.

Ford EcoSport 1.0 Titanium Automatic Specs: