Item: Ford Ecosport
Rating: 2
Author: What Car? Team

Audi Q2

Citroen C3 Aircross

DS3 Crossback

Fiat 500X

Ford Ecosport

Ford Puma

Hyundai Bayon

Hyundai Kona

Jeep Renegade

Kia Stonic

Mini Countryman

Nissan Juke

Peugeot 2008

Renault Captur

Seat Arona

Skoda Kamiq

Ssangyong Tivoli

Suzuki Ignis

Suzuki Jimny

Suzuki S-Cross

Suzuki Vitara

Toyota Yaris Cross

Vauxhall Crossland

Vauxhall Mokka

Volkswagen T-Cross

Volkswagen T-Roc

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Accessibility & Motability

Costs & verdict

Pricing for the Ecosport has crept up over the years and it’s no longer a value-led choice; in fact it now competes with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/t-cross/estate/review/n19039">Volkswagen T-Cross</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/t-roc/hatchback/review/n17376">T-Roc</a>. In fact, the Ecosport can be more pricey on PCP finance than our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/car-of-the-year-awards-2021-small-suv-of-the-year/n22432">current Small SUV champion</a>, the slightly larger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/puma/hatchback/review/n20838">Ford Puma</a>.

With no diesel engines offered, the most economical Ecosport is the 124bhp 1.0 petrol, which is capable of decent fuel economy and strikes a good balance between price and performance.

Entry-level Titanium gives you 17in wheels, built-in sat-nav, rear parking sensors along with a rear-view camera, partial leather seats, keyless start, climate and cruise control, as well as heated windscreen, and automatic headlights and wipers. Next up is the Active model that has the exterior appearance of a tough SUV, but with four-wheel drive having been dropped from the Ecosport line-up, is no more capable than cheaper versions. Meanwhile, the range-topping ST-Line gets sports suspension and various sports-inspired styling upgrades.&nbsp;

A three-year, 60,000-mile warranty is standard. This falls short of the five-year, 100,000-mile package included with the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/captur/hatchback/review/n20"> Renault Captur</a> and the class-leading seven-year, 100,000-mile cover on the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/stonic/estate/review/n116"> Kia Stonic</a>. The Ecosport didn’t feature individually in the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2020-what-car-reliability-survey-brands/n20069"> 2020 What Car? Reliability Survey</a>, but Ford as a brand didn’t do particularly well, finishing only 18th out of 31 manufacturers.

The updated Ecosport hasn’t been tested by<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-are-the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n3387"> Euro NCAP</a>; the previous version received four stars when it was tested back in 2013, but it won’t live up to that score in today’s more stringent testing. It has at least been updated to include <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">automatic emergency braking (AEB)</a>, and you can add something called the Driver Assistance Pack which includes blindspot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and high beam assistance.

Thatcham Security Research also rated the Ecosport four stars for its ability to prevent being broken into, but the full five stars for preventing being stolen altogether.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

Of the two engines offered, both of which are turbocharged 1.0-litre petrols, we’d suggest you look to the 124bhp Ecoboost 125. It's free-revving, flexible and provides good performance. And, while there is a 138bhp Ecoboost 140 version of the same engine, it's only available with the range-topping ST-Line trim so is too expensive to recommend.

All Ecosport models have a six-speed manual gearbox as standard – something that you’ll find yourself operating regularly, due to its relatively short gearing. An automatic is no longer offered, unlike many of its fellow <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/small-suv">small SUV</a> competitors.&nbsp;

Sadly, the Ecosport’s handling doesn’t inspire much confidence. Its steering is far too vague, leaving you sawing at the wheel on anything but poker-straight motorways, and there’s considerable body lean in corners.

The biggest problem, though, is the way the Ecosport rides. It rarely settles down and tends to jostle occupants around in town – and things don't improve much with speed. Things are especially bumpy in ST-Line models, which have stiffer suspension.

Refinement is acceptable in a class where there are no really quiet contenders. The Ecosport’s engines are noisier than they are in the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106"> Fiesta</a> but are especially wheezy when getting up to speed. There’s vibration through the pedals, and the door mirrors whip up quite a bit of wind noise, plus the clutch pedal is very heavy, with quite a short travel before it engages, and may catch you by surprise to begin with. Still, at least the gearshift is solid and slots into gear positively.

OUR PICK

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

Of the engines available at the moment, we’d suggest you look to this 124bhp 1.0-litre turbo petrol. It's free-revving, flexible and provides good performance. 

http://example.com

1.0 EcoBoost 125

10-ecoboost-125

This 138bhp version of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine is only available with range-topping ST-Line trim, so is too expensive to recommend.

1.0 EcoBoost 140

10-ecoboost-140

Much like the ocean washes away the imperfections on a pebble over time, a number of updates and revisions have been made to the Ford Ecosport over the years since it first arrived in the UK way back in 2014, the aim being to keep it competitive in a burgeoning <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/small-suv">small SUV</a> market.

The analogy of smoothing rough edges is apt here. Early incarnations of Ford’s smallest SUV had far too many shortcomings – a low-rent interior, limited infotainment technology and a cumbersome side-hinged tailgate – to be recommended in the same breath as rivals that include the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/juke/hatchback/review/n45">Nissan Juke</a> and<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/captur/hatchback/review/n20"> Renault Captur</a>.&nbsp;

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PAMGwqGJVKM"></iframe>

At a glance, it gets the fundamentals right. Its chunky looks give off all the right SUV vibes, and you can see that it’ll lift you nice and high off the ground. What’s more, the Ecosport is based on the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106"> Ford Fiesta</a>, and that’s a pretty solid foundation to build upon, plus its choice of two turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engines, with 123bhp and 138bhp, compares well with the equivalents offered by the likes of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/stonic/estate/review/n116">Kia Stonic</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/kona/hatchback/review/n17377">Hyundai Kona</a>.&nbsp;

But, under pressure from fine-handling rivals as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/vitara/4x4/review/n76">Suzuki Vitara</a> and<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/arona/hatchback/review/n117"> Seat Arona</a>, the latest version needs to be a pleasure to drive and the previous model fell short of Ford's usually high standards. The Ecosport certainly can’t afford to be embarrassed by its bigger brother, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/puma/hatchback/review/n20838">Ford Puma</a>, our small SUV of the year for 2021 – especially when that model isn’t hugely more expensive.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In this review, we'll look at if the latest Ecosport has come on far enough to be worth considering in a field of extremely talented rivals. And, if the contender with the Blue Oval badge does take your fancy, don’t forget that our<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals"> New Car Buying</a> service is at hand for a great deal without the hassle of haggling.

The latest Ecosport is far smarter inside than previous versions, and has the edge on the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/arona/hatchback/review/n117"> Seat Arona</a>, thanks to soft-touch materials being used on the top of the dashboard and a cushioned section on the door armrest. However, below-par build quality is revealed by plenty of creaks when you grab onto the door handle, and newer rivals such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/kamiq/hatchback/review/n19999">Skoda Kamiq</a> have a far classier feel.

One area where the Ecosport does beat the Kamiq, and indeed much of the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/small-suv"> small SUV class</a>, is by offering a commanding driving position. You sit completely upright like you might in an SUV twice its size, with a good view of the road straight ahead, although the A-pillars are relatively thick. The rearmost pillars are also quite chunky, but large door mirrors and a standard rear-view camera help with visibility when backing up.

It’s a shame that the front seats are quite narrow and have manual adjustment regardless of which trim you pick. Manual lumbar support adjustment is available throughout the range, though. The pedals have quite a long travel, which means shorter drivers might have to sit closer to the steering wheel, but the wheel itself can now be adjusted for both height and reach, unlike previous versions of the Ecosport.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The dashboard is based on the latest Fiesta’s, and most of the major controls are easy to use on the move. A 8.0in touchscreen is standard, controlling DAB radio, USB connection plus<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193"> Apple CarPlay</a> and<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194"> Android Auto</a> smartphone mirroring. It’s design is outdated, though; the Seat Arona's on-screen graphics are sharper and laid out much neater.

Hatchback

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

ECOSPORT

<h2 dir="ltr">Access</h2>

The Ford Ecosport might look like a big, tall SUV but it’s actually smaller than it looks, and that compromises its usability for those who have restricted mobility.

The first signs are good; the doors open to a seriously wide 69 degrees, so they’re well out of the way when you’re trying to get into or out of the driver’s seat. However, the door aperture itself is only 795mm wide, so you’re forced to clamber through what is a comparatively small hole.

For comparison, a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c3-aircross/hatchback/review/n17381">Citroen C3 Aircross</a> has doors that don’t open quite as wide but leave a larger aperture, so access is that bit easier.

The Ecosport also has high sills, the tops of which are a full 443mm from the road surface, so there’s a larger step into the car than you’ll need to negotiate in some rivals – the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/kamiq/hatchback/review/n19999">Skoda Kamiq’s</a> sills, for example, are more than 20mm lower. That said, the floor of the Ecosport is just 90mm lower than the top of the sill, so you won’t have to perform much of a stomach crunch when getting out.&nbsp;

The driver’s seat has adjustable lumbar support and height-adjustment, but neither of these functions are present on the passenger seat.

<h2 dir="ltr">Storage</h2>

The Ecosport’s boot is small by the standards of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-small-suvs-2021/n17050">small SUV</a> class, with just 356 litres of space available when all the seats are in use. So, while a wheelchair will fit in the boot, you’ll have to fold it up before you can get it in there.&nbsp;

It’s also a pain that the rear seats leave a step in the boot floor when they’re folded down, so you can’t just roll an unfolded wheelchair into the space.&nbsp;

Worse still, the boot is accessed through a side-hinged door, so loading and unloading can be a pain in a confined space, or if someone has parked right behind you. There’s no option of electrical operation for the boot door, either, further hindering convenience.

More helpfully, the boot floor lies level with the bottom of the tailgate, so there’s no obstruction to lift heavy and awkward items over. The boot aperture is more than 880mm tall, so bulky items go through without a squeeze, and there are plenty of hooks and lashing points to secure loads when they’re in.

<h2 dir="ltr">Ease of use and options</h2>

First and foremost, there is no automatic gearbox option for the Ecosport, so if you need a self-shifter you’ll need to look elsewhere.

There are two engines on offer, both of which are variants of a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol, but the 124bhp version is all you’ll need. That’s handy because the more powerful 138bhp engine is only available with the top ST-Line trim, which puts the price up considerably.

The six-speed gearbox has a light, easy shift action, and the clutch pedal is light, although you have to push it down quite a long way.

Standard equipment includes rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera, which reduces the need for neck twisting when parking, but you’ll need to pay extra for the optional X-Pack if you want the convenience of keyless entry and engine start. You also get an 8.0in touchscreen that features <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> smartphone mirroring. As touchscreens go it’s easy to use and it’s placed nice and high up on the dashboard, making it easy to read on the move.

The Ford Ecosport’s chunky looks are easy to fall for, but it’s a disappointing car to drive and is stingy with space

There’s enough leg and head room up front for most drivers to feel comfortable, but the Ecosport is narrow, so you may feel that elbow room is a little restricted.

Rear leg room is disappointing, though. There’s plenty of foot space under the front seats and a recess for your knees, but any driver close to six feet tall will eliminate any real space left in the back. It’s equally narrow back there, too, so squeezing three across the rear bench will only be an option for short journeys. It’s also a shame that there’s none of the sliding-seat versatility that you get in the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/captur/hatchback/review/n20"> Renault Captur</a>.

More likely to irritate is the fairly small boot, which is accessed via a heavy and impractical side-opening door. It means you can’t get to the boot when you back into a tight car park space or when parked close to a wall or garage. It’s also a pain to get into if you’re parallel- parked on the side of a busy road.

The rear seats can fold in a 60:40 configuration, and you can do this from the boot using a lever. They don’t fold flat, though, and leave a step in the floor. Overall, boot space lags behind that offered by the Captur and<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/arona/hatchback/review/n117"> Arona</a>.

Titanium models get 17in alloys, built-in sat-nav, a rear-view camera, partial leather seats, keyless start, climate and cruise control, as well as automatic headlights and wipers.

Titanium

titanium

The range-topping ST-Line gets sports suspension and various sports-inspired styling. However, it's expensive, so we think Zetec is actually the trim to go for.

ST-Line

st-line

This trim gives you a unique set of 17in alloy wheels, black exterior styling tweaks along with plenty of black-plastic body cladding, privacy glass and some premium floor mats. The entry-level Titanium model is better value.


Active

active

The Ford Ecosport’s chunky looks and commanding driving position are easy to fall for, but it’s a disappointing car to drive and is stingy with space inside. With no diesel or four-wheel drive option, there are few reasons to choose an Ecosport over more accomplished rivals.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Running costs that won’t break the bank </li> <li>Generous kit</li> <li>Pokey engine and tidy handling</li> <li>Spacious interior</li> <li>Boot big enough to cope with family life</li></ul>

The car-buying public has fallen in love with small SUVs, or crossovers as they’re often called, with thousands turning away from conventional hatchbacks in favour of something that rides that little bit higher.

The original baby SUV is the Nissan Juke, which remains a popular choice, but there are plenty of better rivals to consider instead. We’d recommend you look at either the Ford Puma or Skoda Kamiq, because they offer&nbsp;a great blend of practicality and value that keeps them&nbsp;clear of the opposition. Equally, if you’ve got more money to spend, the Audi Q2 and Volkswagen T-Roc&nbsp;are both fine choices.&nbsp;

Small SUV

Ford Ecosport review

Fill out our 2022 Reliability Survey - and win a prize!

Alfa Romeo Giulia

Volvo XC60

Nissan Ariya

Fiat 500

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Honda HR-V

Dacia Jogger

/news/complete-the-2022-what-car-reliability-survey-for-the-chance-to-win-a-prize/n15554

New car deals >>

site ribbon config

Buying advice for the Ford Ecosport covering running costs, MPG, Fuel Economy, Reliability and Safety, from the expert What Car? review team.

Pricing for the Ecosport has crept up over the years and it’s no longer a value-led choice; in fact it now competes with the Volkswagen T-Cross and T-Roc. In fact, the Ecosport can be more pricey on PCP finance than our current Small SUV champion, the slightly larger Ford Puma.,With no diesel engines offered, the most economical Ecosport is the 124bhp 1.0 petrol, which is capable of decent fuel economy and strikes a good balance between price and performance.,Entry-level Titanium gives you 17in wheels, built-in sat-nav, rear parking sensors along with a rear-view camera, partial leather seats, keyless start, climate and cruise control, as well as heated windscreen, and automatic headlights and wipers. Next up is the Active model that has the exterior appearance of a tough SUV, but with four-wheel drive having been dropped from the Ecosport line-up, is no more capable than cheaper versions. Meanwhile, the range-topping ST-Line gets sports suspension and various sports-inspired styling upgrades. ,A three-year, 60,000-mile warranty is standard. This falls short of the five-year, 100,000-mile package included with the Renault Captur and the class-leading seven-year, 100,000-mile cover on the Kia Stonic. The Ecosport didn’t feature individually in the 2020 What Car? Reliability Survey, but Ford as a brand didn’t do particularly well, finishing only 18th out of 31 manufacturers.,The updated Ecosport hasn’t been tested by Euro NCAP; the previous version received four stars when it was tested back in 2013, but it won’t live up to that score in today’s more stringent testing. It has at least been updated to include automatic emergency braking (AEB), and you can add something called the Driver Assistance Pack which includes blindspot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and high beam assistance.Thatcham Security Research also rated the Ecosport four stars for its ability to prevent being broken into, but the full five stars for preventing being stolen altogether.For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here,

New car deals >>

Ford Ecosport review

Ford Puma

Skoda Kamiq

Costs & verdict

Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is

What Car? has a buying service

Quick search

Tools & services

Legal bits

Information