Ford EcoSport

The new EcoSport can be had with either a 1.0-litre petrol, 1.5-litre petrol, or a 1.5-litre Diesel engine. The EcoBoost 1.0-litre engine is back in the lineup and makes 125PS and 170Nm. The larger three-cylinder petrol engine makes 123PS and 150Nm, whereas the four-cylinder diesel is good for 100PS and 205Nm. Both engines are paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. Additionally, the petrol version can be had with a 6-speed torque converter automatic. ARAI-certified mileage stands at 16.98kmpl (petrol-MT), 14.77kmpl (petrol-AT) and 22.89kmpl (diesel-MT) respectively. In our road test of the 1.5-litre petrol automatic we managed 17.12kmpl on the highway and just 7.04kmpl in the city. The manual was considerably more efficient and returned 17.59kmpl and 12.74kmpl for highway and city tests respectively.

Ford’s compact SUV will be available in a total of variants viz. Ambiente, Trend, Trend+, Titanium and Titanium+, Signature Edition and the top of the line S. While a manual transmission is available in all variants, the automatic will be available in the mid-spec Trend+ and the top-spec Titanium+ variants only. The EcoBoost engine is only available in the S trim level.

The refreshed EcoSport sports a familiar design. The updated face is a lot more aggressive compared to the outgoing one, but there’s no mistaking this compact SUV for anything else. The top-spec Titanium and Titanium+ variants get halogen projector headlamps and daytime running lamps, that adds a premium touch. Rounding things off is the new grille and bumper combination that imparts some more muscle to the baby Ford. The side and the rear remain practically unchanged, save for a new set of alloy wheels (17-inch for the Titanium+ and 16-inch for the Titanium) and a mildly retouched rear bumper. In the S and the Signature Edition variants customers will also enjoy the novelty of a sunroof that was added into the EcoSport lineup along with the return of the EcoBoost engine.

It’s on the inside where Ford has really worked on. As years passed by, the EcoSport’s dash appeared cluttered and messy. Well, that’s not a problem anymore as the new layout is a lot simpler. Titanium+ variants upwards get a large 8.0-inch touchscreen that features Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Ford’s SYNC3 tech. The base-spec Ambiente trim will feature a conventional audio system and Ford’s phone dock, where as mid-spec variants will get a 6.5-inch touchscreen unit. Other updates include a new steering wheel, instrument cluster, a tyre pressure monitoring system and a front armrest. On the features front, the top-spec version gets automatic headlamps, automatic climate control, cruise control with limiter and six airbags.

Maruti Vitara Brezza: The Brezza ticks the basics of punch, practicality and peace of mind. If you can bear the ridiculously long waiting periods, you’ll end up with a compact-SUV that won’t let you complain. But, in all probability, so will everybody else.

Honda WR-V: There’s more to the WR-V than being a Jazz on steroids. While it retains the hatchbacks basics of space and functionality, it brings in the added advantage of a high ground clearance. It also gets a sunroof. Doesn’t everyone want a sunroof in their lives?

Tata Nexon: Among the best vehicles to roll out of a Tata factory, the Nexon comes very close to acing the compact-SUV game. The funky styling, big 350-litre boot and some segment-firsts like an activity key make it a formidable force in the segment.

The EcoSport has got its mojo back. It’s among the only ones in its class that actually looks like a scaled down SUV and not a blown-up hatchback. If you need a small SUV that has some swag, you know where to head.