Our Rating
The 2019 Ford Ecosport is a huge improvement on the previous model, ditching the problematic dual-clutch gearbox and adding a wide range of new features. The model tested is the top of the line Titanium spec.
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Engine & Drivetrain
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Performance
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Fuel Economy
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Interior
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Gadgets & Technology
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Safety
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Ride & Comfort
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Practicality
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Affordability
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Behind the Wheel
Engine
The entry-level Ambiente is powered by a new 3-cylinder non-turbo 1.5-litre motor with a six-speed conventional automatic gearbox, putting out 90kW of power and 150Nm of torque.
Goodbye dual-clutch gearbox, no more law suits please.
The Trend and Titanium models drop to a new Ecoboost 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo engine with 92kW of power and 170Nm of torque, which packs a punch in the gutsy little EcoSport.
Performance
This isn’t an AMG, or M or anything of the sport, but the EcoSport has a fair amount of torque for its size and weight.
Unfortunately, all Australian EcoSport’s are front wheel drive which makes body roll and understeer prominent for this little SUV.
Fuel Economy
Ford claims fuel to be 6.9L/100km for the Ambiente and 6.7L/100km for the Trend and Titanium.
After real life testing, the Titanium returned around 7.5-8L/100km through mainly urban driving with a touch of highway.
Interior & Technology
The Titanium spec gets nice leather seats, sunroof, 8.0-inch Sync 3 dash with CarPlay, GPS and reverse camera.
The EcoSport range now include a 4.2-inch digital driver information screen between the dials, which includes a digital speedo, and the Ambiente is fitted with a reversing camera and rear parking sensors as standard.
The Titanium has a few added features including: keyless entry / smart key, push button start, climate control air-conditioning, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, power sunroof, leather seats, HID projector headlights and LED daytime running lights (not LED headlight), bigger 17-inch alloys, powered side mirrors with puddle lamps, and silver roof rails.
The car is quite spacious for its size but it might be a tight squeeze getting 5 occupants in at once.
Safety
The EcoSport has a 5 star ANCAP safety rating.
It also has a reverse camera, park assist with rear parking sensors, stability control with hill descent control and hill start assist.
However, it does not have auto emergency braking which is concerning in today’s market.
Although it does have a system where it can call the emergency services using a connected phone in the event of an accident.
Ride & Comfort
The ride is decent for cruising along with the family, but not to be expected to be used on windy roads.
It is comfortable enough, but could be a bit more seamless but that’s just me being picky.
Warranty & Servicing
Ford backs its new cars with a standard minimum three-year/100,000km warranty plan.
Capped-price servicing plan is for the life of the car, with maintenance due every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first. The service cost is reasonably well considered, too – over five years/75,000km, the average cost per visit is $281.
Pricing
Ambiente 1.5LPULP6 SP AUTO $22,790
Ambiente 1.5LPULP5 SP MAN $20,790
AMBIENTE (5 YR) 1.5LULP6 SP AUTO $22,790
TITANIUM 1.0LULP6 SP AUTO $28,990
TITANIUM (5 YR) 1.0LULP6 SP AUTO $28,990
Titanium 1.0 1.0LPULP5 SP MAN $25,790
Titanium 1.5 1.5LPULP6 SP AUTO $27,790
Trend 1.5LPULP6 SP AUTO $24,290
Trend 1.0LPULP5 SP MAN $22,290
TREND (5 YR) 1.0LULP6 SP AUTO $24,490
Overall
The Ecosport is priced incredibly well in the market and for the price is a steal. Along with capped price servicing, it provides plenty of assurance, although we wish Ford would extend warranty to 5 years as standard.
ALL our videos of the EcoSport Titanium :
Full Exterior & Interior Tour:
Exhaust Sound:
POV Test Drive:
All Settings/Modes Head Unit/Dash:
