The Ford EcoSport arrived in South Africa in 2013 and aimed to take on cross-overs such as the Nissan Juke and Hyundai Creta. This was also at a time when the cross-over segment started to expand rapidly within local borders. Needless to say, it proved popular by the influx of sales and has since remained a popular choice within the segment.
Based on the Ford Fiesta platform, the EcoSport offers hatchback levels of space and frugality in a package that more confidently can tackle pothole-ridden roads and dirt routes in rural areas with its increased ground clearance and larger wheels. But since its initial appearance on local roads, Ford has applied a variety of updates to enhance the ownership experience and styling.
1. Exterior styling
The original EcoSport enjoyed five years of sales before Ford announced the updated model in 2018. Although if you compare the silhouettes, there is not much difference, however, there are notable changes to the exterior and interior design. Starting up front, enthusiasts will quickly notice the newly sculpted grille.
Although the new grille still features the horizontal slots, not only has the shape been refined, the entire grille has moved upwards on the front deleting the trim piece connecting the headlights on the earlier model. The headlights while retaining the angular theme has been tweaked for a larger, more pronounced appearance. The newer units also incorporate LED daytime running lights on the mid-range to flagship variants.
Lower down the bumper, the foglamp bezels and the foglamps themselves has received an update to replace the traditional round units with sharper and larger versions. With the lower bumper area larger, Ford has incorporated a silver skid plate design to the front for a more rugged look. The rear bumper has also received similar treatment while the taillight clusters have been reworked in the process as well. New wheel designs also are on offer after the update.
2. Interior and tech
The interior of the EcoSport sees a much more dramatic change, mostly due to the new technology incorporated. One of the most notable changes happens atop the dashboard and central fascia as Ford fitted 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment systems on the Trend models 8.0-inch units on the Titanium derivatives. The new screens are installed with the latest Ford SYNC 3 infotainment systems which can be controlled via touch or voice inputs.
Major changes also happen in front of the driver with a new multifunction steering wheel incorporated from which you can access menus in the driver display, control audio and telephony as well as access the cruise control options. Behind the steering wheel is an all-new instrument cluster fitted with a 4.2-inch digital driver display on which vehicle information can easily be accessed.
3. Drivetrain
With the original EcoSport, Ford made available two derivatives with the 1.0-litre, turbocharged, 3-cylinder petrol motor, two with the 1.5-litre, naturally aspirated, 4-cylinder petrol engine and two with the 1.5-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder diesel units. While all three engine options were serving the vehicle well, the most popular for its frugality was certainly the 1L Ecoboost.
As such after the update, four out of the five available derivatives came fitted with the 1.0-litre, turbocharged, 3-cylinder petrol motor while the last one offered the 1.5-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder diesel engine. Later in 2018, Ford added a newly developed 1.5-litre Ti-VCT three-cylinder petrol engine which offered more power and torque. While this engine was originally only offered with a manual transmission, in 2020 an automatic derivative was added to the range.
