Re: Ford EcoSport Facelift 2017 Exclusive Spyshots
Ford Ecosport facelift taking one more victory over the Honda HRV and Jeep renegade in a face off by Brazilian media
https://motorshow.com.br/comparativo-ford-ecosport-vs-honda-hr-v-e-jeep-renegade/
Comparison: Ford EcoSport Vs. Honda HR-V and Jeep Renegade
Attacked on all sides, they struggle to stay on the podium of the coveted compact SUV segment: the "new generation" of the Ford Ecosport 2.0 challenges the 2018 lines of the Honda HR-V and Jeep Renegade leaders - the latter also with news
EcoSport was a cool balcony for Ford. Launched in 2002, the "jeep" built on the Fiesta base was the first compact SUV in Brazil and soon became accustomed to the lead. It was the best seller of the category for nine consecutive years, between 2003 and 2011, and only in 2012, when in full generation change was attacked by (attractive) debutant Renault Duster, lost the position. But soon this new EcoSport regained its lead: in 2013 and 2014 it was again leader, until suffering a very severe attack in 2015 and be overcome by three hot news designed to bring it down (in that order): Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade and Duster (facelift).
But the Echo was not shaken. Betting on tradition and aggressive pricing, he returned to third place last year when he sold 28,105 units, outperforming the Duster and behind HR-V, with 55,758 units sold, and Renegade with 51,563 . Detail: achieved this even without news, with design already aged and attacked by many beginners in a segment that does not stop growing. Therefore, we imagine that it will do even better now, in the "new generation", with new interiors, engines and equipment (strictly not new generation, but the changes were in fact substantial).
Already this year the EcoSport bitter fifth place. Even excluding the larger and more expensive Jeep Compass, Ford is being outdone by the Hyundai Crete, which arrived this year, and by the traditional henchmen HR-V and Renegade. Is it up to the end of the year that he reverses the game and gives the change to his executioners? Well, let's see how he, renewed, if he comes out here in this dispute - maybe the fight that interests him most, even for the sake of honor ...
HOW MUCH?
As EcoSport has been the market leader for so long and it is what brings more news, it was he who defined the choice of rivals. The Ford could even fight with its new 3-cylinder 1.5-liter engine, owing to rivals in equipment and (almost nothing) in performance (it's 137 hp) and spending less fuel. With it, the already well-equipped SE AT version starts at $ 78,990, while the more complete, FreeStyle AT, beats the automatic entry rivals. But as we noted in the evaluation of FreeStyle 1.5, the jump to Titanium 2.0 is small and brings even more equipment. Worth it.
To the maximum content, HR-V Touring and Renegade Limited would be here with options, both going from R $ 100,000 (there you can consider Jeep Compass, Hyundai ix35 etc.). For the Eco Titanium R $ 93,990, however, you only take the automatic intermediate rivals: HR-V EX and Renegade Longitude. This last one also gained news in the line 2018, but few: the Sport version happens to have wheels 17 and the Longitude evaluated gains 18 wheels and leather seats (the external photos are of the Sport 2017, different only in the wheels rim 16).
Prices rose R $ 2,000 - Sport costs R $ 89,990 and Longitude R $ 94,990 (in the latter, the increase was lower than the value of the incorporated items, leaving for R $ 3,556 in the Luxury Kit). Already the Honda was updated a year ago, when this EX (R $ 94,600) gained digital air and fins in the steering wheel. Set then this brief range from $ 93,990 to $ 94,990, which of these three best-sellers among compact SUVs is the best option? We would like the answer to be that simple, but, as we shall see, it is more of a choice of style and priorities, since these three models are far more distinct than they may seem.
DESIGN AND STYLE
The design lines themselves already indicate differences between the proposals. The HR-V follows the traditional definition of crossover, looking more like an "anabolic" hatch than an SUV itself. It hides the rear knobs to mimic (also) a coupe and has more curved and aerodynamic lines. At the other extreme is the Renegade, a true "jeep" with square lines that refer to classic SUVs, the unmistakable set of headlights and grille of the "root" Jeep and much more adventurous details.
Meanwhile, the EcoSport, already in the second generation (2013), has become more crossover and less SUV, gaining a sporty and fluid design, compared to the first generation square lines. He did not, however, relinquish his step on the back, a trademark. The facelift of this "new generation" was subtle, just aligning Eco with other brand cars. So for those who, like many people, buy SUVs by design - as a statement of an adventurous lifestyle - the EcoSport does not fail to disappoint like the Honda (and the steppe on the outside helps). But surely none of them brings the off-road world so well and comes close to the charm and friendliness of Renegade's "mini-SUV."
CABIN AND CONTENT
The difference of styles follows in the cabin. The Renegade is full of references to classic Jeeps, such as the air vents and dashboard details, and the HR-V is futuristic, with clean lines and elevated console. EcoSport blends shades and shapes, in part a result of the adaptation of the new "floating" multimedia screen - the focal point of the revolution it has undergone in its cabin. And what a revolution! The Ford has gained rubber-like materials throughout the panel, Fusion elements, larger and more comfortable seats, and details like rubberized bottom holders to eliminate noise.
The instrument panel has good readability even in strong sunlight and is the only one with a multifunctional color display (and easier to use) and the air conditioner has a three-level "Auto" mode. In addition, there are items that rivals do not offer, or only in versions above $ 100,000, such as an electrochromic rear view mirror, automatic xenon headlamps and face switch (see "Equipment" table below). But he still owes himself an electric handbrake and has a poorly located back-up camera.
The Renegade is not far behind in equipment, even more now with hoop wheels 18 (it's the only one) and leather. Its air-conditioning is the only one with two zones and the electric handbrake with automatic activation is super practical. Nor is he behind the Eco in the dashboard trim, too rubbery and well made, with whims like individual front and rear reading lights, also found in the Ford - but not in the Honda. For this and others, the HR-V panel is the worst. It's all made of hard plastic, with a synthetic leather band that does not greatly improve the situation, and the central console has plastic scratching easy. In addition, the USB / 12V sockets are difficult to access and the on-board computer control is by an outdated button on the cluster. The equipment list is also weak.
But Honda pays off with two things that an SUV owner can value more than equipment: space and trunk. Bigger than rivals, it has a great 437-gallon luggage compartment and even the most spacious cabin - the only one that seats five adults alright. In addition, it is more versatile thanks to the rear seats whose seats can be raised or folded down to the floor, leaving the compartment completely flat. At the other extreme, the Eco is the smallest, with the tightest cabin and 356 liters (and horizontal opening lid, which requires lots of free space behind). It was the price for not changing platform. Renegade has a bit more space than the Eco in the rear, but at the expense of the trunk of 260 liters (less than in a Volkswagen Up).
CONNECTIVITY AND SAFETY
Ford looked at the market well and saw that a lot of consumers care about connectivity rather than power. So, this is another highlight of the EcoSport - which, in the evaluated versions, humiliates the rivals. The new "floating" 8 "multi-touch screen is quick to respond, does not reflect light and comes with Sync3, complete system and easy to use. If you prefer, it's the only one compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (with a seamless integration with the car's commands, except the emergency call, which is disabled).
To top it off, it has premium Sony speakers, one behind the "floating" screen. It's even hard to compare the Echo system with Renegade's small touchscreen (5 "), which has a browser with poor display map and complicated interface. But, believe me, the thing is even worse on the HR-V EX, with a basic sound that is totally unworthy of a car of $ 95,000. In safety, another clear advantage of EcoSport.
They all have isofix, traction / stability control and start assist on ramps, but only the Ford has extra standard airbags (side, curtain and knee), cross-traffic alert (warns if another car is approaching on reverse in a shopping mall, for example) and spot-blind monitor (a light comes on in the rearview mirror when there is a car in that position). At Renegade, extra airbags cost $ 3,200, the traffic alert does not exist and the blind-spot monitor is optional only in the Limited version. In HR-V, the side pouches come only in the EXL version (R $ 102,900) and the curtains, only in Touring (R $ 107,900)
AT THE WHEEL
At the wheel, again, substantial differences. In any one it is easy to find a good position to guide, with wide adjustments of seat and steering wheel. But it is always high, characteristic that is normal (and even much desired) in SUVs. At that point, the advantage is the Jeep, which, in addition to being taller, allows the driver to drive by seeing the hood - which gives a cool feeling of being in a "real jeep". Against the traditional 1.8 of the rivals, with 139/140 hp (Jeep / Honda), the EcoSport has its 2.0 now with dual variable control, direct injection and 176 hp (ethanol).
This guarantees you a much better performance, not only in the accelerations, but mainly in the resumes. It is not an immediate response engine, but after "full" pulls very well. The six-speed automatic has replaced the troublesome PowerShift, but is a bit slow in the trades. Prioritizes consumption and has Sport and Manual modes - the latter with butterflies on the steering wheel, which allow driver interference at any time. Of course the extra power comes at a price, especially in urban use, where the EcoSport has the worst fuel consumption (it is difficult to exceed 8.5 km / l with petrol).
On the road, on the other hand, the strong 2.0 calls for rare gear reductions. At 120 km / h, it spins at 2,600 rpm and, with the help of the active front grille, which closes to improve aerodynamics, the Echo exceeds 12 km / l - running in total silence. In fact, even in stretched out, the sound insulation stands out and you hardly hear the engine. The suspensions are also quiet and, although somewhat hard to contain the body roll, convey a sense of robustness in the hole of our streets. Steering and brakes (unique with rear drums) were also well-matched, making Eco's steerability the best of the three.
Similar silence on the wheel is seen in the Renegade, but the performance falls short, as well as less powerful, is heavier - are 10.4 kg / hp, against 7.7 in the Ford. With the adoption of variable intake manifold, the 1.8 improved, but the car still looks a bit tied. The push-button Sport mode makes the throttle pedal more sensitive and improves the situation, but the consumption, which is no longer good, rises. In fact, urban averages are not only worse thanks to the start-stop, which shuts the engine off and on. On the road, however, the 1.8 is much needed, the gear reductions are frequent (it is difficult to maintain 120 km / h, even in light climbs, without reducing to fourth) and the aerodynamics disrupt, making it the most spend.
The quick six-speed gearbox has a manual mode (fins / lever), the steering is well-matched (although it could be lighter in maneuvers) and the independent, sturdy rear suspensions hold the body well in bends. The HR-V and its 1.8 deliver a discreetly superior performance to the Renegade, as the Honda is much lighter (9.1 kg / hp), but still far from Eco. On the other hand, it is the most economical by wide advantage in the city (see technical specifications above).
The merit is partly the CVT, which prioritizes consumption and smoothness, but provides tedious accelerations, with the gauge parked at the top and much noise in the cabin - whose sound insulation is much lower. To break the monotony, you can use the seven simulated gears using the fins on the steering wheel, or accelerate more progressively and settle for a more peaceful performance. And the consumption advantage is not repeated on the road, where the HR-V spends almost the same as the EcoSport. In addition, the steering has optimum calibration and the suspensions are comfortable, helping in the smooth handling. The brakes, however, are too sensitive.
CONCLUSION
The objective notes give EcoSport victory, mainly because of its performance, connectivity and equipment. Which is no surprise. Usually our comparatives have a clear winner, but in this dispute the best choice will also depend a lot on your preferences and priorities. The HR-V is the rational crossover: an almost obligatory option for those who want a spacious and versatile car to take with them, it's also the most economical, especially in the city, and has the lowest cost of revisions. But you will need to pay expensive (or give up) some equipment and some of the luxury and safety.
Now, if space is not priority, but performance, EcoSport has the best value for money, with refined interior, unparalleled connectivity and far superior performance - and without having a trunk so small. Lastly, if you do not need so much space or performance, you can pack your bags in the back seat and want an SUV as a lifestyle affirmation (or practice), the Renegade is the emotional buy: it has the best suspensions for land, as well as driving more like a true SUV and a "jeep" look - an almost irresistible sympathy.
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