Motoring purists will bemoan the rise of the compact crossover, citing it as the death of motoring and scoffing every time one passes by. This keeps them rather busy though as it's impossible to drive anywhere and not see one of these creations on the road. The public has spoken and the compact crossover is one of the most rapidly growing segments in the automotive market.
Related: Everything you need to know about the Ford EcoSport
One of the most successful entries into this market has been the Ford EcoSport. A compact, Fiesta-sized 5-door with increased ride height and a slightly larger boot. The EcoSport has been with us for a while and now in its 9th year in South Africa, it continues to sell remarkably well.
Long in the tooth?
9-years is a rather long time for a single model to enjoy time in the sun in this day and age. I took the Ford EcoSport Black on an extended test two years ago and had rather unpleasant things to say about it. This was a model based on the Ambiente trim level, dressed up with some garnish to make it look fresh and appealing. So, when it came time to drive the latest refresh of the model, the EcoSport Active, my expectations were considerably low, to say the least.
I can be the bigger man and admit when I am wrong, and I was. While I still stand by my opinion of the EcoSport Black, I will admit that I was wrong to tar them all with the same brush. In Trend and, presumably, Titanium trim, the EcoSport is rather agreeable and I can certainly see why so many buyers choose this as their foray into the SUV lifestyle.
The Ambiente trim models (of which the Black is one) are produced in India while the Trend and Titanium models that South Africa gets originate from Romania. Trust me, there is a distinct difference in the build quality.
Another important consideration is the powertrain combination. Get the mix wrong and the EcoSport becomes a chore to drive. Get it right and you'll smile all the way. Thankfully, the new Ford EcoSport Active is not only based on the Trend specification but gets the powertrain combination right as well.
What's a Ford EcoSport Active?
Ford is King of the sticker pack, count the number of Ranger special editions and you'll see what I mean. They're known for dressing up an ageing model and giving it a new lease on life and you know what? The buying public doesn't mind this at all. Even the EcoSport Black continues to sell well despite only being earmarked for a single year's run.
The EcoSport Active may seem like a mere image refresh but the added features run a little deeper and make this model rather appealing.
It differs from the regular Trend trim by getting a new grille design with a gloss black frame. The LED headlights, with LED DRL elements, get black housings and are complemented by the fog lamps that also carry this theme. A lower apron is a small aerodynamic enhancement that helps give the Active a more purposeful road presence.
Down the side, matte black over-fenders lend off-road credibility to the Active, despite the ride height remaining unchanged and the drivetrain remaining FWD. What they will help with is guard against the rash that comes from taking the off gravel road and trail down to the dam, to the mountain bike track or your favourite lookout spot. They're joined by Active badging down the sides and possibly the best-looking alloy wheels yet fitted to an EcoSport. Measuring in at 17-inches, these polished face wheels have black backing and look right at home with the gloss black mirror caps and rear privacy glass, also part of the Active trim level.
Creatures of comfort and safety
It's no secret that the uptake of crossovers and SUVs can be attributed to the raised seating position. Sitting higher up allows you to see further down the road and this in itself makes the driver feel more in control. Then you consider that a vehicle that rides higher competes with the double cabs and minibus taxis and you have a more comfortable driving experience with less frustration and anxiety.
Ford goes a step further by including a host of creature comforts and safety systems to give you further peace of mind. The Active gets the standard array of ABS, EBD, EBA, Hill Start Assist, Rollover stabilization and additionally, collision mitigation; or autonomous braking for the layman out there. There's a compliment of 7 airbags and for when you're not in the car, a Thatcham alarm and immobilizer. Park distance control for the rear helps you when backing up but the Active is, sadly, without a reverse camera.
The interior receives a partial leather interior (that looks entirely like leather but isn't) with embroidered logos on the backrests of the seats. Overall, the interior build quality of the Romanian models supersedes that of the Indian-derived models with soft-touch elements all over and a significantly quieter cabin when on the road.
Thanks to the built-in modem and the FordPass Connect app, users are able to link to their EcoSport Active and access a number of features such as vehicle health, service status, locate Ford dealerships and book services but more overly, lock and unlock the car remotely (ever lock your keys in the car?) or remote start it to ensure that the cabin is cool and the engine warm before you set off in the morning.
The Sync 2.5 infotainment system is a tried and tested unit with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and we're mostly familiar with this system at this stage.
The right mix
Powering the EcoSport Active is the renowned 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine in its highest trim spec, that of 92 kW and 170 Nm torque. The accolades and awards are well deserved and even nearly a decade down the line, it remains a great engine. It's paired to a 6-speed automatic gearbox and this combination is great. My earlier issues with the PowerShift gearbox was when combined with the 1.5-litre NA engine or the low-power 1.0 EcoBoost. Thankfully, no worries here.
Ford claims that you can expect to see a fuel consumption of 6.3 l/100km on the combined cycle.
Pricing
Price is a critical consideration in this area of the market and Ford knows that. Entry models cannot be too expensive, no matter how much kit they include in the price. For the Active they've managed to keep that price under the R400 000 mark listing it for R393 700. With that, you will get a 4-year/120 000km warranty, 4-year/unlimited distance Roadside Assistance plan and 5-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty. What you're not getting is a service plan, you can thank the Right To Repair bill for that. Ford will gladly sell you one if you wish, but in this instance, they're not making you pay for it either. The choice is yours.
Verdict
I can't help but think of the old adage; "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" and Ford is sticking to it. The EcoSport may be a little long in the tooth but that doesn't mean that it's decrepit or irrelevant. It still has a place in the local market and is still a viable option for those looking to upscale into something a little more family-friendly.
