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The Ford EcoSport looks like a big SUV. At the TÜV, he doesn't make big pants, but delivers decent results.
Little one SUV Are popular. Ford has had such a model in its portfolio since 2003, but it took a long time to bring it to Europe. We're talking about EcoSport. The first generation was built in Brazil between 2003 and 2012 and was very popular in South and Central America. But only the second generation (since 2012), which uses the seventh generation Fiesta as a technology donor, made the leap to Europe. It made its debut on the German market in 2014 and has competed against Renault Captur and Opel Mokka ever since.
Body and interior
With its angular and robust design, the EcoSport makes a tough little SUV. The spare wheel attached to the rear door also contributes to this in the first models, reminiscent of real off-roaders. Without the wheel, the vehicle stretches to a length of 4,01 meters. The space is okay, driver and front passenger sit comfortably high. The trunk volume varies between 333 and 1.238 liters. Access to the luggage compartment is via a rear door that opens to the side.
The processing of the first vintages was only partially satisfactory, so that the first facelift took place just over a year and a half after the market launch. Since then, the striking spare wheel has no longer been part of the standard equipment, and the somewhat sparse interior is now upgraded with chrome trim and dimmable lighting. The jagged dashboard and many control buttons have remained. In 2017 Ford donated the next facelift. Since then, the front design has been based on its big brother, the Kuga. Inside, the choice of materials has been improved, for example with foamed plastics on the dashboard. The dashboard has also been revised and is similar to that of the Fiesta.
Motors and drive
At the market launch there was a 1,5-liter petrol engine with 82 kW/112 hp, the well-known 1,0 three-cylinder turbo with 92 kW/125 hp and the 1,5-liter diesel with 66 kW/90 hp. The engines are coupled to a five-speed gearbox as standard, with a six-speed automatic available for the small Otto. Power was sent to the front wheels only.
The petrol engines consumed between 5,3 and 6,2 liters on average, the diesel was content with 4,6 liters. With the first facelift in 2015, the diesel received slightly more power and achieved 70 kW/95 hp, while its consumption fell by an average of 0,2 liters. At the same time, Ford tuned the chassis differently. Since then, the little one has been rumbling a little more smoothly over bumps in the road.
All-wheel drive was also available, albeit only for a short time. Between 2017 and 2019, Ford offered 125×1,5 drive for the EcoSport in conjunction with the 4 hp 4-liter diesel engine. Speaking of diesel: The expansion stage of the 1.5 with 88 kW/120 hp and an average consumption of 4,2 to 4,6 liters was available between the end of 2019 and the end of 2020. At this point, Ford also took the other diesels out of the range – since 2017 they have been coupled to a manual six-speed gearbox like the petrol engines. What remained were the three-cylinder petrol engines with 125 hp and 103 kW/140 hp. From mid-2018 to the end of 2021, the three-cylinder engine with 74 kW/100 hp was added to the range of petrol engines.
Equipment and safety
The five-door car with front-wheel drive initially had just one equipment line, which included 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning and a CD radio. The list of options was short and listed things like cruise control, App Link smartphone integration and metallic paint. Later, the EcoSport was offered in four trim levels; Those who value a sporty appearance will find what they are looking for in the "ST Line" equipment variant. Optional extras included two-tone paintwork, xenon lights and partial leather seats.
Over the long production period, the composition of the comfort levels and the range of assistants has changed. Those interested in a used car should therefore read carefully what equipment their desired copy has. In the program since 2020: the robust design line "Active". Here, among other things, increased ground clearance and protective barriers on the body are included in the scope of delivery. The EcoSport achieved a four-star rating in the NCAP crash test in 2013.
Quality
At the TÜV, the small SUV is doing quite well. So far, it has passed the main inspections (HU) better than the average of all vehicles examined. The lighting system and frequent oil loss are particularly problematic in older models. The TÜV inspectors also often criticize the functionality of the hand brake.
Conclusion
Anyone looking for a mini-SUV with a rustic look is in good hands with the Ford EcoSport, as long as you pay attention to well-maintained vehicles with a fresh TÜV sticker. For older models - often with high mileage - you have to invest around 8.000 euros. If you want to buy a lifted EcoSport (2015), you have to reckon with prices from around 10.000 euros; around 12.000 euros are due for vehicles from the 2017 facelift. The rarely offered all-wheel drive vehicles start at around 17.000 euros.
