It’s got the right profile, the right size, the right attitude and the right credentials; but does the EcoSport have the right stuff?
What sets the eyebrows floating, of course, is that massive, open-mouthed grille. To give it a very different feel from the Fiesta, the high bonnet line, machine gun pod-like fog lights and heavily raked windscreen make the EcoSport look even more radical. The slot-like headlights add further aggression, the flared wheel arches give it a well-planted look and the rising beltline makes it look tipped forward. Neutral grey cladding runs around the bottom of the car, the 16-inch alloys are reasonably large and Ford has done a good job with the rear of the car as well. The C pillar and wraparound rear windscreen mesh together well, the rear door handle is set in the tail-light and the rear-mounted spare wheel is well integrated too. The placement of the spare wheel, however, is key; it will help the EcoSport duck under four metres; vital if Ford wants the small car excise benefit in India.
If you’ve spent time in the new Fiesta, you will be familiar with this car’s interiors. Stepping into the cabin is quite easy because the car is just the right height, there’s plenty of legroom for tall drivers due to the higher seating position, and the cabin does feel slightly airier in the front. The funky ‘wedgy’ styling works well here too. The EcoSport’s dash is actually even more angular than the Fiesta’s. The triangular vents are larger than the saloon’s, the gear lever is set lower down, and though this car didn’t come with digital climate control, we should get it in India. The digital ‘command centre’ on the centre console is just as interesting and fun to use. Plastic quality also seems to be slightly improved from the Fiesta. The material covering the dash looks much improved, the build and quality of the steering is fantastic and the leather seats on this car help lift the ambience of the cabin. Another nice touch is the padded door pads, especially if you happen to knock your elbow on the armrest.
The rear door is slightly smaller than the front, and as a result ingress isn’t as easy. Passengers in the rear seats, however, have sufficient legroom to be comfortable. There’s ◊ ∆ plenty of space for your feet under the front seats and, though the seating position is a bit upright, comfort is pretty good. But this is still a compact SUV, so don’t expect acres of legroom, or a particularly airy cabin. You are sat higher than in the front seat, so visibility out isn’t too bad, and you can adjust the backrest, but the Duster still has more space in the rear.
The car I was testing didn’t have all the kit on it, but EcoSports can be specified with stuff like climate control, keyless entry, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights. Boot space is at a premium though – 362 litres, which is not much more than some large hatches, and the opening is narrow too. You can, however, flip the seats to increase boot space. Also disappointing is the fit of the rear door. There’s quite a gap where the door meets the rear fender, and it looks unsightly from some angles.
On the way back to Sao Paulo, I get to experience the EcoSport in less extreme traffic over some back roads, similar to our own; roads with plenty of potholes and ridges. The EcoSport’s sporty suspension setup felt too stiff here. While smaller bumps are absorbed with just a shimmy, larger craters register as thuds and upset the composure of the car. Ford, as ever, needs to find a good compromise between comfort and grip for India, but they’ve always done a stellar job, so we assume they will get it right on the EcoSport too.
The first-generation EcoSport was a car designed and engineered in Brazil for Brazil. This new car, however, will be exported all over the world, with India being one of the first markets to get the car. It’s no surprise – the appeal of the car is just massive. Very attractive to look at, fantastic to drive, comfortable, sufficiently spacious on the inside, well equipped and just the right size for city streets, the EcoSport is just the kind of car Indian customers want. The Renault Duster has recently proved just that. Equipped with a 1.5 diesel for India, a modern direct-injection turbo petrol motor (the 123bhp 1.0-litre EcoBoost) and even the option of a twin-clutch gearbox, the EcoSport has the potential, if priced somewhere in the region of Rs 6-8 lakh, to be the most successful Ford ever sold in India. Let’s hope Ford gets it right.
Also read: The tech behind Ford's EcoBoost engine