Ford EcoSport - 5 Features we love

The Ecosport is a crossover SUV from the house of Ford. The American carmaker entered a very crowded space of ‘small SUV’ with the Ecosport. In spite of the strong competition such as Renault Duster, the Ecosport has managed to carve out a niche for itself. It received a facelift in early 2018 making it even more competitive in the segment. If you still have any doubts about the car, here are the top 5 features that we love about the Ford Ecosport.

Design

The Ford Ecosport has a commanding presence on the road. The vehicle looks bigger than its actual dimensions, courtesy of the spare wheel on the back. The designers have hit a masterstroke with this smart craftsmanship. While it may seem huge, the exact dimensions make it easy to maneuver the SUV. The body-coloured front bumper along with the Chrome upper and lower grille gives it a stylish front. It also features automatic headlamps and fog lamps with chrome bezels on the front. On the rear, the upper bumper is body-colour, whereas the lower bumper is self-coloured.

Cabin features

The cabin features have been designed keeping in mind the comfort of the end user. The lumbar-adjusted driver’s seat with armrest ensures that the long drives are never stressful. Leather-trimmed seats with perforated inserts can also be availed. The Ford Ecosport is packed with features such as climate control, smart keyless entry with push-button start, rear floor mats, Bluetooth interface connection, centre console, electronic automatic temperature control, power door locks, fuel computer, headlamp levelling control, and extra map lights.

The interior space in the Ecosport is slightly compact but should be sufficient for five adults. The load capacity is 362-litre which can be increased to 705 litres by 60/40 split-fold of rear seats. The headroom on the rear is 971 mm, whereas the shoulder room is 1,302 mm. The legroom on the front is 1,043 mm and on the back is 956 mm.

Performance

The Ford Ecosport is powered by a 1.5L engine with twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT). The engine is mated with an advanced PowerShift 6-speed automatic transmission. The SUV is capable of delivering exceptional manoeuvrability on any terrain. The Electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) is optimally weighted on the move resulting in an enhanced driving experience. The SUV does not lose composure on the corners and feels sturdy.
The transmission with SelectShift capability ensures reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emission. The Ford Ecosport can reach from zero to 100 kmph in 12.3 seconds. A manual transmission option is also available. The raised height of the SUV ensures that you have a better 360-degree view of the road ahead. The wading depth is 550 mm which allows you to cross streams easily. You also get remote locking and cruise control features to enjoy the drive.

Safety features

The Ecosport does not ignore the safety features that should come with any vehicle in the category. The car unlocks automatically without the need to take the key out of your pocket. The car comes with voice-activated SYNC which allows you to continue your conversation without putting yourself or anyone else at risk. SYNC even enables you to continue your conversation when you enter the vehicle without even disconnecting the call. It can also play music directly from the phone.

The standard safety features such as 3-point safety belts, airbags, engine immobiliser, child-safety rear door locks, and side intrusion door beams are provided. Other advanced safety features include Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Launch Assist, and reinforced steel safety cell complete the total safety parameters of the Ford Ecosport.

Value

The price of Ford Ecosport might be perceived as a bit higher than the competition. However, the SUV is a complete value for your money. The base variant of the model is priced at around AED 58,000 and can go all the way up to 80,000. The features that the SUV offers are definitely worth the marginally extra money. While we cannot say we love the higher prices, but we certainly consider Ford Ecosport as value for money.