Name: Ford EcoSport Review
Item: Ford EcoSport
Author: Gumtree.com

Ford’s Ecosport is one of the most affordable cars in the compact crossover class, and the long-term savings that you’re likely to make on fuel and running costs mean that it’s definitely worth considering if you’re on a budget. It’s ideal if you’re looking for the convenience of a family car but don’t want to spend as much as you would on a larger SUV. The interior comfort is good and the engines are smooth and refined, but they don’t offer much excitement or power. Handling is also quite mediocre, and many of the Ecosport’s rivals are more practical. What it does offer is an efficient, pleasant option for everyday driving and longer trips.

Check out available specs for the Ford Ecosport on the Gumtree model page.

What we think about the Ford Ecosport

Overall, the Ecosport is an affordable and comfortable compact crossover SUV.

Pros

Diesel engines offer decent fuel efficiency

Petrol engines are pleasingly refined

Relatively cheap compared to rivals, and with low running costs

Cons

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Unremarkable design

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Basic interior quality

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Handling is quite lacklustre

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Not enough cargo space for larger groups

The entry-level Ford Ecosport trim from 2020 has a 1.0-litre petrol engine, which has an advertised fuel efficiency of around 47 miles to the gallon. It’s a five-door, five-seater compact crossover SUV, and trims include the Titanium, ST-Line and Active.

Driving performance of the Ford Ecosport

Our Driving Rating6 / 10

The feel on the road is one area where the Ford Ecosport is a touch disappointing – at least in some ways. The suspension isn’t great, allowing for a lot of bumps and jiggles even when you take the car down relatively smooth roads, and there’s also a lot of body roll. However, one bright spot is the car’s agile, responsive steering. This should bring back some of the feeling of control that other elements of the car’s performance take away, and when you’re taking corners, the Ecosport definitely feels like a much nimbler and more compact vehicle than it actually is

Safety and reliability of the Ford Ecosport

Our Safety Rating7 / 10

The Ford Ecosport hasn’t been put through its paces by the Euro NCAP safety body since 2013, when it achieved four out of the full five stars. Crash tests showed that its safety features and protection of pedestrians were a little lacking, which led to it scoring slightly lower than many modern vehicles. Protection of adult occupants was rated highly, though, at 93%. The Ecosport also got a 77% score for how well it protected any children on board.

Under the bonnet of the Ford Ecosport

Our Engine Rating7 / 10

The Ford Ecosport has diesel and petrol engines available, which are pleasantly refined and powerful enough for everyday driving but won’t get your heart racing. The entry-level petrol has a 1.0-litre capacity, and if you want a bit more excitement you can upgrade to a sportier version which provides 138 bhp – although it will still take you over 10 seconds to hit 62 mph from standing. A 1.5-litre diesel unit provides 99 bhp, but its leisurely 0-62 time of 13 seconds means that it’s only recommended if you want to cut down on fuel costs.

What you'll find in the Ford Ecosport

Our Design Rating7 / 10

The Ecosport has quite a boxy, snub-nosed look to it, which won’t appeal to everyone’s tastes. It’s definitely modern-looking, with a hint of minimal angular style, but rival crossover SUVs like the Seat Arona or Citroen C3 offer a much sportier body shape and a more obvious feeling of elegance and presence on the road. The twin-bar honeycomb grille design is perhaps the most distinctive feature on the Ecosport, which has roughly the same dimensions as most competitors in its class.

Comfort and interiors in the Ford Ecosport

Our Comfort Rating6 / 10

Inside the cabin of the Ford Ecosport you’ll definitely feel comfortable and appreciate the layout, but the overall design and quality of materials are relatively mediocre and cheap compared to some rivals. It does slightly better in terms of storage and cabin space, though, with plenty of shelves and compartments, and a decent amount of legroom. The boot is around 355 litres, which is a bit below average for the class. It also has a side-hinged door at the back, instead of a top-hinged hatch, which can make accessing the boot a little awkward.

What features you'll find in the Ford Ecosport

Our Features Rating7 / 10

If you don’t like the look of the Ecosport’s steel wheels, you can upgrade to get 16 or 17-inch alloy wheels instead. The model got an upgraded infotainment system in 2018, which is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You access it via a relatively small 6.5-inch touchscreen, and this can be upgraded to eight inches on higher trims. A DAB radio comes as standard, but if you’re an audiophile you might want to consider shelling out a bit more for the Bang & Olufsen Play audio system, which features a 675-watt output and 10 premium speakers.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Ford Ecosport

Our Fuel Consumption Rating7 / 10

Ford claims that the Ecosport’s basic 1.0-litre petrol engine can provide up to 47 mpg, which is a very respectable number for a petrol unit in its class. However, this seems to be based on extremely conservative driving. Owners have reported that the Ecosport will usually achieve around 35 mpg, which is just higher than average. CO2 emissions for the entry-level engine are around 136 g/km. There are also two diesel engines available, which are probably worth a look for long-distance drivers. The diesel units available since 2018 can provide an impressive 56 and 53 mpg.

Running costs of the Ford Ecosport

Our Cost Rating8 / 10

Fuel economy might not be world-beating with the Ecosport, but it’s definitely no worse than the vast majority of competing SUVs – and still better than a good number. And you’re also likely to make some decent long-term savings on your insurance. The relatively small-capacity engine line-up means that it will be in the cheaper insurance groups, even if you opt for the highest trim. Ford’s warranty lasts for three years or 60,000 miles, which is roughly the same amount of coverage you’ll get with other manufacturers.

Our verdict of the Ford Ecosport

4 / 5 Gumtree rating

There are better compact crossover SUVs available around this price point, but the Ecosport offers decent value and low running costs.

Ford Ecosport Review