2013 Ford EcoSport

The 2013 Ford EcoSport is a compact SUV that was unveiled last year at the Delhi Auto Expo and is meant for emerging markets like India, Brazil and China. The EcoSport has been on sale in Brazil since 2003 and the second generation model will be sold globally under the One Ford plan. Ford has plans to sell the EcoSport in more than 100 markets, thereby offering the vehicle to developed countries as well. Ford has already showcased the EcoSport for the European markets (it’ll sit below the Kuga there), which has minor changes compared to the one on sale in Brazil and China. The EcoSport is based on the Fiesta’s B-car platform and it is safe to say the vehicle is the jacked up version of the Fiesta.
The compact SUV segment is a new and emerging segment and has vehicles like the Buick Encore, Chevy Trax, Nissan Juke and Renault Duster in it. Ford doesn’t have any immediate plans to launch the EcoSport in the US yet, but it could serve as an excellent alternative to the Fiesta. Ford held an international media drive event in Goa, India, where over 200 journalists sampled the EcoSport. I was part of the initial batch and got to sample the EcoBoost equipped model.

The EcoSport measures under 4-metres in length (without the spare wheel) and is quite tiny on the outside. Ford has designed the vehicle quite aggressively but the dimensions are only as big as a hatchback. However the EcoSport is taller and gets 200 mm of ground clearance and 550 mm of water wading ability. It looks stylish with the large hexagonal front grille, silver roof rails, tail gate mounted spare wheel and black cladding giving it presence. The EcoSport also gets a neat touch with the tail gate opener placed inside the right rear tail lamp assembly.

The interiors of the Ford EcoSport are identical to the Fiesta’s. The dashboard is quite big and features dual tone black and grey treatment, with silver inserts at certain places. The seats are comfortable with good all round support. There is ample space at both the front and rear, with enough legroom and headroom on offer. The rear seat does not get an arm rest but the scooped front seat back and deep foot well gives 6-footers enough space. The width of the rear seat prevents a fifth passenger from entering and thus the EcoSport is strictly a 4-seater.
The EcoSport’s boot is quite small at 346-litres but the rear seats can be flipped in 60:40 format to increase luggage space to 705-litres. Quality is not that great, average at best, with some parts not solidly put together. There is quite a bit of cost cutting with the absence of an engine cover, engine guard and twin-blade wipers on the vehicle. Ford has certainly made the EcoSport to a price.