Ford EcoSport 2020 Review - Prices, Specs, Variants, Features and Mileage

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How does Hyundai's quirky little SUV stand against the EcoSport?

In how many vibrant variants is the 2020 Ford EcoSport offered in?

The manual EcoSport is offered in 5 variants- Ambiente, Trend, Titanium, Titanium+ and S. Notably, the automatic is only available in the Titanium grade. The top-end Titanium+ variant gets 6 airbags (as does the Titanium AT), along with several features like rain-sensing wipers, auto-headlamps and DRLs, but if it’s out of your budget, the Titanium is a true value-for-money trim.

Automatic transmission is only offered in Titanium+ variant which shares all of the other features with the Titanium trim and a few others that includes projector headlamps and a reverse parking camera to name a few. Ford has made sure to pitch in their best selling SUV in an even more accessible palette for 2020.

Which variant to choose?

We recommend you to buy the 1.5-litre Petrol Titanium trim as it offers an ample number of features and comes with an impressive mid-range price of Rs. 9.4 Lakh. The Titanium trim gets Thunder Pack (optional on Titanium) wherein you get features such as Bold Black Front Grille, Electric Sunroof, Sporty Rear Spoiler, Thunder Decals, Cognac Seat Stitching, Vinyl Soft Armrest, Spare Wheel Cover, and Front Door Scuff Plate. 

Ford EcoSport February Offers and Pricing

The all-new Ford EcoSport is available with cash discount up to Rs. 40,000 and a Women special offer of Rs. 5000. This is not an official scheme but dealer level offer and may vary from dealer to dealer.

*Above cash discount offer scheme are Maximum Dealer Level Offer based across the country

What is the powertrain setup used in 2020 Ford EcoSport?

The EcoSport now comes with just two engine options - 1.5-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel. The petrol engine is an all-new 3-cylinder naturally aspirated mill. It churns out a maximum 123PS of power and 150Nm of torque. This engine is known for its light and compact nature and is also claimed to be more efficient than the previous engine that it replaced.

Among the competitors, EcoSport churns out maximum power from its new mill. This robust engine with a 5-speed manual transmission, the EcoSport turns out to be an efficient engine. Ford Ecosport is the segment leader in terms of performance figures. Tata Nexon comes close to the Ford in terms of performance and it is due to the edge in torque.

How quick is Ford EcoSport from 0-100?

Ford has been proving itself for long with its unique 3-cylinder set of engines. The new updated ones are also as energetic as the outgoing ones and it is visible from the swiftness with which it munches up the tarmac. There’s an amazing balance of controlling unwanted vibrations and the carmaker is also offering a timing belt, which usually is open to the elements, going in an oil bath.

The EcoSport is great to drive around the city within limited speeds as the power developed is now focused around mid-range rpm and moves up at higher revs. It takes around 13 seconds to cross the 100 kmph mark.

The EcoSport finds a spot, bang in between the competition. The new 1.5L pot is not bad, as it manages to undercut its rivals by providing a better acceleration to mileage ratio. But if we take into account the sheer performance of them all, Hyundai Venue is the one to beat as its 1.0L engine is low on weight and high on performance which gives it a wild edge.

How nimble is the new Ford EcoSport at ride and handling?

Another latest and significant upgrade to the EcoSport package is a new conventional automatic transmission that replaces the advanced dual-clutch transmission that came with the previous 1.5-litre petrol engine. The highlighting feature of EcoSport has always been its compact form. It is the best form that can tackle Indian traffic conditions with a breeze.

This new transmission is best suited to the EcoSport ecosystem. It quickly performs its city duties. Even the shifts are butter smooth and predictable making the city commuting effortless. The automated manual transmission is also not half-bad, unlike its competitors which have a bad reputation of being sluggish. 

How do the Ford EcoSport brakes work?

Ford EcoSport offers excellent front and rear suspensions to ensure its passengers enjoy a comfortable ride. The high Ford EcoSport ground clearance plays a great role in the handling part. The entry-level trims have tyre size of 195/65R15 whereas its top models offer 17-inch alloy wheels. It has ventilated disc brakes in the front and drum brakes in the rear.

Ford has equipped the EcoSport with a very cost-efficient yet optimised disc-drum setup that shows no sign of fatigue even after long hours of usage. There is proper heat dissipation and the brakes don't lose its composure with its bite being linear and progressive.

Ventilated disc brakes for the front wheel and drum brakes for the rear are pretty good enough to bring the vehicle to an immediate halt even at high speeds. It comes loaded with ABS and EBD to assure that the vehicle does not skip or topple over when you apply the sudden brake. Newbies would not have a hard time learning the way with the brakes and is the case with its competitors. The added kerb weight of XUV300 brings down its stopping distance by a margin.

How much is Ford EcoSport mileage?

Ford EcoSport petrol returns a satisfactory mileage of 18 kmpl. It does not come out of the box offering, but the Ford EcoSport mileage is a good one in its segment. The diesel engine bumps up figures by a fair margin which makes it even more efficient. Couple the duo of engines with the precisely timed manual as well as automated gearbox, and you get a sweet harmony of matured performance without the guilt of wastage.

The EcoSport also comes with a larger than life fuel tank that is impressive and the largest of the lot. Guess the tall body design finally paid off! The competition is tight with this one as none of them is ready to let loose, and so mileage is a crucial factor for compact SUVs in India and each one of them stays true to this ideology.

How muscular is the compact-SUV from Ford?

Ford EcoSport comes with a unique design that emphasises its high ground clearance. The front profile comprises of a single unit decorated with hexagonal grille supported by horizontal slats. The Ford logo fixed at the centre of grille looks very aggressive. You’ll find lots of chrome plating around the fascia. 

The variant showcased above is a special edition by the name "Thunder Edition". This particular iteration adds a host of aesthetic enhancements which includes dual-tone treatment that seeps further away from the rood and onto the hood. The rims are blackened and look good in the white-black treatment. The headlamps are larger and the round fog lamps have been replaced by funky triangular units. The bottom splitter has also been redesigned and talking about the top-of-the-line Titanium Plus model, it stands tall on 17-inch alloys.

However, you won’t witness any major change on the side and rear of the EcoSport. That said, the EcoSport will always look cool with its design ethics and after these many years, the car still looks young. But Mahindra has learnt by observation and has also pitched in a killer looking product, the XUV300. Its LED DRL fangs are the most eye-catchy feature and look muscular as well. It has the same charisma as the Ford EcoSport when it first arrived in India back in 2012.

Exterior Features:

• Halogen Quadbeam Reflector Headlamps with Chrome Bezel
• Dual Reversing Lamp & High Mount Stop Lamp
• Variable Intermittent wiper with Anti-Drip Wipe
• Black Out Decal on C-Pillar
• Roof Rails
• Front & Rear Bumper Applique
• LED Daytime Running Lamp
• Electric Sunroof
• Black Painted Roof

How spacious is the cabin of the compact Ford EcoSport?

Ford EcoSport interior is designed in such a way that it looks spacious and longer in every aspect. Despite offering high ground clearance, the cabin holds adequate headroom for passengers. The top-end models get the highlighting 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Ford’s latest SYNC 3 system features both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

The entry-level models get a similar system, but 6.5 inches touchscreen infotainment and is no less vibrant on features. Both the rows are spacious and have ample legroom and most importantly headroom. The seats provide generous under-thigh and lumbar support and thus confides with long-distance travel.

When you enter inside Ford EcoSport, you shall be welcomed with Plush seats with high-quality fabric beckon. You get enough headroom inside the cabin because of the tall height of the cabin. The driver's seat also offers a good wide view of the road ahead. The dashboard comprises of both analogue and digital indicators. You also get adjustable headrests for all rows as well. 

Creature Comfort Features:

• Seats- Full Fabric/ Premium Leather
• Interior-Environment Theme
• Inner Door Handles
• Steering Wheel Silver Insert
• 60/40 Split Rear Seat
• Leather Steering Wheel
• Sporty Alloy Pedal
• Cargo Area Management System

What are the various features of the Infotainment system in Ford EcoSport?

The EcoSport’s new touchscreen is just a cherry on the cake. The 8-inch screen is vivid, bright and responsive. Also, the third generation of Ford's SYNC interface is quite intuitive and user-friendly. It features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well. There are two USB ports on the central console, complemented with a 12V socket.

The base variants get a 6.5-inch infotainment head unit that is not so well versed in feature listing like the ones listed below but will do for the basic entertainment purposes.

Infotainment and Connectivity  Features

• Audio with AM/FM, MP3, Aux-In, USB
• 4 Radio Speakers - Front and Rear
• Bluetooth Handsfree/ Audio Stream
• Device Dock
• Touchscreen (Capacitive) Infotainment System
• 2 Front Tweeters
• Dual USB Ports
• Audio Control on Steering Wheel
• Embedded Navigation
• SYNC 3 with Voice Recognition
• Smartphone connectivity with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

How much boot space comes with Ford EcoSport? 

The boot space for EcoSport remains the same at 352 litres, but Ford has made a few much-needed changes by adding a new three-position floor in the rear. The bottom-most position gives you a bigger space, while the second position, offers a small compartment under the floor. You can easily keep your laptop bag and other crucial stuff inside it. 

A slightly angled third point when folded down offers you a flat surface, providing a generous space of 1178 litres. The flat-folding nature of seats help in utilising the extra cargo space for transporting larger objects with ease and the taller opening makes things even easier.

Among the competitors, the Ford EcoSport offers maximum boot space. The least boot space is offered by the Mahindra XUV300, where you might not even find lower compartments for small storage. 

What are the safety features available in 2020 Ford EcoSport?

All variants except for four Titanium models offer two airbags for driver and front-seat passenger. The Titanium Plus models come with six airbags for all-round passenger protection. Additional standard safety features include warnings for door ajar, engine immobiliser, child safety locks, and a central locking system.

The top-end variant of Ford EcoSport also comes equipped with curtain airbags which is a boon. Ford has not sacrificed on the safety front and the car is available with an array of safety features which are elaborately listed below. 

Safety Features

• Safe Clutch Start
• ABS with EBD
• Front Dual Airbags
• Front Seat Belts with Pretensioner & Load Limiter
• Driver & Co-Passenger Seat Belt Reminder
• Crash Unlocking System
• Speed-sensing Auto Door Locks
• Engine Immobiliser
• Approach Lights & Homesafe Headlamps
•  Emergency Brake Light Flashing
• Door Ajar Warning
• Rear Child Lock
• High Speed Alert System
• Rear Wash Wiper & Defogger
• Front Fog Lamps
• Locking Wheel Nut for Alloy Spare Wheel
• Emergency Assistance
• Cruise Control with Adjustable Speed Limiter Device
• Side & Curtain Airbags

Ford Ecosport Against Competition

Ford EcoSport VS Hyundai Venue

Hyundai Venue is offered with aggressive pricing for many of its rivals but close with Nexon for the base variant. The price ranges from Rs 6.50 lakh and goes up to Rs 11.11 lakh for the top-spec 1.0-litre turbocharged engine, while the diesel version ranges from Rs 7.75 lakh to 10.84 lakh. 

Hyundai Venue does take the upper slot when it comes to features and equipment loading that none of its rivals offer. To know more about the Venue, read our complete Hyundai Venue review.

Ford EcoSport VS Tata Nexon

Lack of a tailgate-mounted spare makes the Nexon look less SUV'ish when compared to the EcoSport. When the EcoSport first came out, it marked its presence with its futuristic. The Ecosport has received love from Indian consumers from the past 4 years. But, now it appears to age. 

Notedly, the Ford EcoSport received an interior facelift in 2018 and now it features high-quality plastics and a detailed centre console. Compared to the other prominent contenders, Ford has a better build. Tata Nexon has fared well and it still fights hard to dethrone EcoSport and the recent update is its testimony which has design cues shared with its fully-electric twin.

Ford EcoSport VS Mahindra XUV300

The Mahindra XUV300 is designed carefully keeping in mind the SUVish stance. The sharp character lines along the corners exhibit a boxy look, but the use of surfaces above the wheel arches makes it look a bit muscular. On the other hand, the EcoSport goes unique with looks because of its long-term scientific approach.

The XUV300’s interior is more airy, thanks to the use of plastics and seat covers. The seats of the XUV300 are placed very low to compensate for the lower roof. The EcoSport offers decent storage pockets and space inside the cabin. XUV300 here provides a more refreshing experience and is backed by a very futuristic looking design philosophy in which the fang-like LED DRLs are an eye-catchy feature that will turn heads on the streets.

Does the 2020 EcoSport still possess the vibe that made it Ford's top-seller? 

Ford Ecosport is a muscular vehicle capable of moving comfortably through rough terrain because of its high ground clearance. If you are a daily commuter or weekend traveller, the Ford EcoSport is an ideal vehicle for you and your family in either case.

The comfort features provided by this SUV is still out of the box. If you require more convincing, we recommend you to get behind the wheel of one ASAP to understand why it is the choice of many Indians.