Ford EcoSport Review & Pictures

[vicky90]

Re: First Drive: Ford EcoSport Test Drive Review

Great review by 350Z, I am now eagerly waiting for 1.5 TDCi review of Ecosport, thats the volume seller for sure in that too the trend and Titanium Diesels will sell the biggest pie and here is the prospective prices as i think Ford would price it because Ford has the Classsic sedan too in that segment so the Ecosport shouldn't kill Classic
1.5 Tivct Ambient 666300
1.5 Tivct Trend 728000
1.5 Tivct Titanium 794000
1.5 Tivct Titanium(AT) 894000
................

Good guess mate !! even I have been thinking on the same pricing. Lets hope Ford hits the sweet spot in pricing this car and hence own a customer in me and like me . We don't expect cheap cars but we need cars which stand for its value.

 

[Figoian]

Re: First Drive: Ford EcoSport Test Drive Review

Excellent Review Vibhor. Congrats.

I am yet not finished reading it... Will come back to you with my questions once done.

Based on this review, Ecosport looks very impressive in terms of Looks, Design, Engine (EB & D), Ride & Handling (any day with Ford), Features, FE etc. Guess, Ford will have another Figo like success if they would price it alike. That's the vital point to decide on Ecosport's destiny. Hope, Ford would be sensible on deciding this factor with their own examples.

Significant Misses:

• Storage Spots - Just like Figo, all doors are deficient when it comes to Bottle Holders, etc. At least, Figo's front doors were better and the rear ones are nothing more than just doors. In ES, all 4 doors has something, but not really useful.
• Beige Interiors - Not only it looks good and lively, it also shows the interiors to be spacious. Why do they miss this best selling point? Against cost? Are beige interiors so damn expensive than others?
• What about driver seat adjustments?
• How about the headlight performance?
• Boot Space is bit disappointing for a SUV
• Different Tyres for lower variants is absolutely unacceptable. The car is anyways the same in all variants. Following MS footsteps in this matter is just not expected from Ford.
• Empty slots in Tail Lamp... Tired of it, even in Figo. Either give it or just don't. Infamous asymmetric designs of New i-20 (Tail Lamps), Punto (Reverse Lamp & Rear Fogs), Etios & Micra (Empty Slots of Reverse Lamp) are other such unjustified creations. Do they think, people spending 5 - 10 Lks on a car, would be in short of just another 100 bucks for those bulbs?
• I personally feel, too much of Chrome Garnish in the Front, the radiator grill.
• Rear Door (Boot) opening from right side - Though it isn't any great difficulty, but still why not the other way? Just like LHS controls for western market?
• BTW, that reminds of Wiper & Headlight Controls. Are they again typical Ford and unfit for Indian market?
• In a pic to compare with Endeavour & Figo, ES looks similar height of Figo. Are they?

 

[350Z]

Re: First Drive: Ford EcoSport Test Drive Review

You recently reviewed the Duster too, which one would you rate has better interior plastics quality?

How do you compare its interior fit & finish and the quality of plastic used with that in Duster ?

Ford Ecosport has an edge over the Renault Duster in terms of overall plastics quality. However, improper fitting on certain areas is an issue that exists in both the cars.

Which one feels more planted during doing 3 digit speeds out on the highways?

I didn’t do more than 100 Kmph on Ecosport. Someone who did 140 told that the car felt stable enough (I was in the same car). On the other hand, Duster began losing its composure beyond 140 Kmph on Yamuna Expressway. It won’t be a fair comparison unless I test Ecosport too in the same range.

Which one has lesser body roll?

It’s the Ecosport which is more confidence inspiring.

How is the driver seat Lumbar support in Ecosport as compared to the Duster?

The lumbar support in Renault Duster is far more functional.

And a very hypothetical question from my side if you wish to answer - If you were to pick one for yourself between the Renault Duster RXL 85PS diesel(not the option pack) and Ecosport 1.5Tdci Titanium, which one would you choose?

I’d have to drive Ecosport TDCi to answer that. Actually Renault Duster was with us for over 3 days while we just had a few hours to manage a test of Ecosport.

Wonderful report buddy, the engine bay does look very flimsy thanks to the missing engine cover. Any chance of getting to test the Eco sport with the diesel engine?

Thanks. Yes, we’re expecting to test Ecosport Diesel in detail next month or so.

One thing Ford haven't learnt yet is colour of interiors, especially if they wanted to create a "perception of space" they should give the beige/ Beige Black option.

True that. Fords are usually cramped and demand beige interiors a big time. An Ecosport with beige interiors was spotted on test sometime ago. So I think that’s on cards.

How do you compare shoulder room against Duster? For some reason Duster looks too spacious width-wise, is it a illusion?

Renault Duster is indeed wider and more spacious than Ecosport.

Hey 350Z,looks like the A pillar is quite thick and the front quaterglass looks small, almost useless.Does it hamper visibility?Can you please shed some light on this since you have driven this car in Goa's traffic.

Yes, to an extent. I do believe that A-Pillar will create a blind spot on tight turns.

Excellent review. I actually saw you guys at Cortalim Junction on the 9th. Didn't know you were there. I see you were driving car No. 5. Car No. 6 actually toppled during the drive.

Thanks Peter. It’d have been a pleasure meeting you. Anyways it was my first visit to Goa and I liked the place. I’ll plan a relaxed trip sometime soon again.

No LEDs on the headlamps, even in the top end variant?

Not for now but Ford is considering to include them whenever the car receives a facelift.

Any clue on whether any variant comes with Sunroof ?

Nope.

What about driver seat adjustments?

It’s mentioned in the review. Driver’s seat has height and lumbar support adjust apart from usual controls.

How about the headlight performance?

I wanted to test it but couldn’t since the car was with us in daylight. This will be covered in our next review.

BTW, that reminds of Wiper & Headlight Controls. Are they again typical Ford and unfit for Indian market?

Yes. Stalks are opposite for us.

In a pic to compare with Endeavour & Figo, ES looks similar height of Figo. Are they?

Ford Ecosport is taller than Figo. You can in fact compare its height with Renault Duster.

Drive Safe,
350Z

 

[GM88]

Re: First Drive: Ford EcoSport Test Drive Review

Thanks a lot for replying to my queries 350Z. Composure at around 140 for both cars i.e. Duster and Ecosport is commendable. I am sure i won't be doing speeds above that anyways. Driver's seat Lumbar support would play an important part in our buying decision as Dad has a problem of lower back pain and the one which suits him better shall be picked. I'll have to check it out in person now before taking the plunge of buying one. Regarding the overall build quality, Ecosport looks solidly put together than Duster IMO.

350Z sir one more question, will there be a Pan-India launch for the Ford Ecosport or will it be in a phased manner like that off XUV and Safari Storme?

 

[350Z]

Re: First Drive: Ford EcoSport Test Drive Review

350Z sir one more question, will there be a Pan-India launch for the Ford Ecosport or will it be in a phased manner like that off XUV and Safari Storme?

I'll confirm with Ford and revert to this soon.

Exclusive Videos: Ford Ecosport Features Overview

Ford Ecosport Hill Launch Assist Overview
Ford Ecosport Hill Launch Assist - TheAutomotiveIndia.com - YouTube

Ford Ecosport SYNC Technology Overview
Ford Ecosport's Microsoft SYNC Overview - TheAutomotiveIndia.com - YouTube

Ford Ecosport Emergency Assist Overview (Must Watch)
Ford Ecosport Emergency Assist Overview - TheAutomotiveIndia.com - YouTube

Ford Ecosport Ecoboost Engine Overview
Ford Ecosport Ecoboost Engine Overview - TheAutomotiveIndia.com - YouTube
​

Drive Safe,
350Z

 

[1989rs500]

Re: First Drive: Ford EcoSport Test Drive Review

Good guess mate !! even I have been thinking on the same pricing. Lets hope Ford hits the sweet spot in pricing this car and hence own a customer in me and like me . We don't expect cheap cars but we need cars which stand for its value.

I too hope ford prices the Ecosport less than the prices as i have quoted, i have been watching Fords movements in International Markets as well, i am a consistent viewer of FIA World Rally Championship(WRC),FIA GT1 Racing, World Touring car championship(WTCC), etc and since 2011 Ford has lost their focus on racing and they have started investing on building better road cars, on season 3 of FIA WRC 2012 fords Malcolm wilson happily agreed that they are concentrating less on racing and investing the money more on road going cars since the European recession and in 2013 no official Ford team in WRC also in WTCC the WTCC Ford Focus was extremely poor in its performance compared to its rivals like Cruze the BMW 320 SI etc so i was wondering why? Ford s have been excellent performers since 1980s till 2011 in WRC and WTCC but they were just slowing down and were concentrating more on passenger cars and a lot of money they invest on racing goes to development of Ecoboost and the new TDCi engines, and that prooved right with the Ecosport project as well which actually resurrected Ford in Brazil and i hope same goes does happen in India as well, Fords racing history is legendary no other manufacturer in market today in the FWD segment can quite match it, and as Ford leaves WRC,WTCC etc i hope they come back stronger with stronger missions and motives
Here is a video to substantiate my WRC madness and to be frank i am a fan of racing, many people like IPL,Spanish premier league, English premier league, Wimbledon Tennis etc but i like watching racing and i am still watching BTCC(British touring car championship)
Ford WRC 2012 Season Review - YouTube

 

[k10sood]

Re: First Drive: Ford EcoSport Test Drive Review

Just in: booking to start from 1st june.

source: Ford EcoSport launch in June 2013 and bookings from 1st onward | Rush Lane

 

[mohit8]

Re: First Drive: Ford EcoSport Test Drive Review

Awesome review of the much awaited vehicle of the year, this is One of the best reviews!

Few page before prospective price posted by 1989rs500.

1.5 Tivct Ambient 666300
1.5 Tivct Trend 728000
1.5 Tivct Titanium 794000
1.5 Tivct Titanium(AT) 894000

In my opinion 1989rs500 has compared price with proper sedan with Ecosport, it will be good if you compared with Dezire/Amaze/i20/polo or other cars which are under 4 meter. The advantage in base model of Ecosport from other cars is 200 mm ground clearance and SUV look.
If we compare base model price (approx., ex showroom Delhi)

Swift Dzire Lxi : 493000
i20 Magna: 508000
Amaze: 500000

People will have to pay around 170000/- Rs more for Ecosport (1.5 Tivct Ambient), that is too high.
Where is under 4 meter’s excise and 70% localization benefit?

1.0 Ecoboost Titanium 848000
1.0 Ecoboost Titanium (O) 895000

These price category is belongs to Honda City, Verna, Vento. Why people will choose Ecosport in this price range?, only for SUVs look, 30 mm more ground clearance….
Don’t forget ES is under 4 mtr, 1 liter engine and nobody Knows engine performance/mileage/maintenance yet.


Diesels

1.5 TDCi Ambient 791000
1.5 TDCi Trend 834000
1.5 TDCi titanium 895000

All can compare Diesel models with Dezire/Amaze/i20. Ecosport price is very high compared to their competitor

Ford need to play safe pricing strategy else we’ll see another Fiesta(flop show-flop show-flop show)….

 

[Gurrala74]

Re: First Drive: Ford EcoSport Test Drive Review

@mohit

But all that is a prediction of our member and Ford has not said anything so far, we really need to wait to their pricing whether it is in New Fiesta way or an aggressive on to beat the market

 

[anisin84]

Re: First Drive: Ford EcoSport Test Drive Review

Awesome review of the much awaited vehicle of the year, this is One of the best reviews!

Few page before prospective price posted by 1989rs500.

1.5 Tivct Ambient 666300
1.5 Tivct Trend 728000
1.5 Tivct Titanium 794000
1.5 Tivct Titanium(AT) 894000

In my opinion 1989rs500 has compared price with proper sedan with Ecosport, it will be good if you compared with Dezire/Amaze/i20/polo or other cars which are under 4 meter. The advantage in base model of Ecosport from other cars is 200 mm ground clearance and SUV look.
If we compare base model price (approx., ex showroom Delhi)
.......

Absolutely right...and I agree a 1000% with you...Where would the benifit of Export sales come into play. For Example, in China, the Base Eecosport start at 8.5, however in Australia, it would start from around 12 L, so when India will Sale to Ausi, they will at least sell the base at intercompany price of 9 L, So you can understand how much benifit the Indian customer can get..I think the Base should start a bit more than i20 which is abt 5L. and the Ecoboost will come for 7L max.
Another point to clear, the 12 % exise is only if a car is below 4 Mtrs and the Engine capacity is less than 1.2 L for petrol, and 1.5 for Diesel. So this means, the Base model petrol will get a 24% tax but the 1.0 & the Diesel would be 12%. So my guess in ford's strategy it would balance the price and also consider the benifit of the 12% tax from the 1.0 & 1.5 Diesel and put it over the 1.5 petrol.

Lets see how they tackle this.

 

[mohit8]

Re: First Drive: Ford EcoSport Test Drive Review

I heard about killer launch price for Ecosport as far as pricing goes, with ford I am sure they are surely going to overprice Ecosport as they always did with other cars previously, except Figo.

Pricing will be the key for its success and if ford start price for the base version around 5.XXXX then it will be killer pricing else we'll see again Fiesta

@Gurrala74
I like your signature "Drive Safe, Be Alive", very true...

 

[vBeat]

Re: First Drive: Ford EcoSport Test Drive Review

One of the most exhaustive review of EcoSport. Excellent one.

I am following all development of this car since announcement of its release.
This car really make me think that, should I have wait for this one to release before I got my first car in 2012 [thinking].

I saw this on FC Road in Pune. Looks amazing.

 

[swift&furious]

Re: First Drive: Ford EcoSport Test Drive Review

Amazing write up Vibhor, being a ford user yourself do you think the ecosport stands out from the competitors looking at the current innovative market

Ecosport was much talked about from a long time but sometimes or most of the times we feel any product which is not out in the right time with the right price is really not going to turn out the market making huge numbers, though the product looks better than duster in styling and appeal, how do you rate the vehicle with its built does the thud sound from the door is same as a fiesta

Do you think the top end of the petrol version would deserve somewhere around 10 lakhs, and after you conversation with Ford guys what do you think the pricing would be, when there is such time taken the pricing can go the either ways i still remember the All new fiesta of 2012 though a great product the pricing killed it, somewhere closer/lesser to the vento and rapid would have had more takers i assume

I believe even duster is a let down due to it pricing 14Lakhs OTR bangalore for a top end diesel version i would have gone for a safari Dicor which has the power under the hood and the 3.0 litre over the 85ps duster, somewhat felt like duster is neither here nor there

Do you feel with ecosport can Ford start turning or ticking more sales figures, the looks and appeal surely does but the pricing and quality would be the deciding factors

Would you buy it as your First/second car ?

 

[Gurrala74]

Re: First Drive: Ford EcoSport Test Drive Review

@Mohit

Even I have heard lot many times from some reliable sources that the pricing will be really a mouthwatering one, but we really do not know what will the actual one. Thanks for your complements, I wish everybody take a note of it

 

[1989rs500]

Re: First Drive: Ford EcoSport Test Drive Review

Awesome review of the much awaited vehicle of the year, this is One of the best reviews!

Few page before prospective price posted by 1989rs500.

1.5 Tivct Ambient 666300
1.5 Tivct Trend 728000
1.5 Tivct Titanium 794000
1.5 Tivct Titanium(AT) 894000
......

hello Mohit8 do you think Ecosport drives like a Hyundai,honda,Polo etc no, it drives better than the best Hyundai car ever made, better than Honda city, VW vento, polo etc so do you think we are privileged enough to buy such a beautiful handling car from Ford with such a low price tag.

The features to offer, reclining seats,I again repeat the best AC you can get in a car under Rs 15 lakh,the best music System you can get in a car under Rs 15 lakh,The added ground clearance, and fore most of all just look at the sheer design theme going on in Ecosoprt, it looks smashing like a mini range rover Evoque, and do you think Fords design team is mad enough to price it so low so that only the customer benefits, what about the hard work they put on the Ecosport project to keep it under 4m mark and still have the macho looks and best possible legroom, who pays for one of the best suspension setups in a sub 4m car ever built
The 1.0 Ecoboost engine first of all its an import and secondly its the best engine in the world by a wide winning margin over its competitors which included the 1.4 TSI of VW with cylinder shutdown as well.

The the solidity of FORD,I have driven Hyundai i20 its like a plastic car well carved with lots of features and no cabin insulation and superb fit and finish, but please just try closing the door of a Hyundai and a Ford at a time and you will find the Hyundai simply cant match the Fords solidity and thud it makes and that aids better secure feel at high speeds and better NVH levles and as for me except for VW polo there is no direct quality competitor for Ford in my diary. rest all of the cars in the above quoted price range have strengths and lots of weaknesses as well, if practicality is the primary concern Ecosport may not fit a persons imagination as its not completely made for practicality its something more than that i believe a desire to own something thats fairly practical and more importantly an engineering marvel .