Ford EcoSport review, test drive

The dashboard cowl is high and the dash itself is deep, so the base of the windscreen meets it far ahead of where you sit. But what really compromises visibility is the fat A-pillar which creates a blind spot big enough to hide a motorcycle. It doesn’t end there. The thick rear pillars and tiny screen limit rear visibility too (the protruding spare wheel doesn’t help). The good thing is that the high driving position lets you see far further ahead than in a lower car.

Cabin quality is a bit disappointing thanks to the hard grey plastics that abound and some ill-fitting panels. The ‘chest-out’ centre console with its myriad buttons laid out in a fan shape is a bit daunting to use, whilst the info screen is  small, catches reflections and has outdated graphics. That apart, the Fiesta-based dashboard is a properly stylish, modern design and we particularly liked the blue needles on the dials and the small-diameter, sculpted steering wheel. There are plenty of storage spaces – there’s a nice rubberised cubbyhole ahead of the gearlever to keep your cellphone, another one next to the handbrake and big door pockets. Strangely, Ford has not included a single grab handle (the ones usually found above the doors), so if the driver decides to attack a few corners, there’s nothing for the passengers to hold onto.

At the rear, you’ll find no issue with the legroom on offer and headroom is decent as well. What you might not like is the seriously narrow cabin. The EcoSport’s 127cm of shoulder room is dwarfed by most large hatchbacks and this seriously limits its ability to seat three abreast. Also marking the rear seat down are the small windows, which cut out light and visibility.

Saving graces come in the form of the nicely supportive seats and the adjustable seat back angle. The boot, at 362 litres, is decent by hatchback standards and the inside of the tailgate is cleverly scooped out to accommodate bags that are placed horizontally. The seats split and fold to give you some flexibility, and with both down, you get a useful 705 litres.

The Titanium Optional variant is particularly well equipped. In addition to the keyless entry and go, there’s climate control, driver’s seat height adjust, rear parking sensors and Microsoft’s SYNC interface. It also comes loaded with safety kit that includes ABS and no less than six airbags. Special mention must be made of the air-conditioning, which is the best we’ve seen for a long time. The air-con unit, which has a variable compressor and a high-capacity condenser, cooled the cabin rapidly, even in the sweltering peak summer heat.