Ford EcoSport facelift: 5 things to know

Ford brought out the heavily updated EcoSport late last year, with a fresh face, more features, and a new petrol engine. Since the launch, the brand has added more kit, more variants like the S and Signature Edition, and a new engine option. With prices ranging from Rs 7.82 lakh for the Ambiente trim to Rs 11.89 lakh for the top-spec diesel S trim, here’s a list of everything you need to know about the compact SUV:

1. It’s a proper ‘face’ lift:
Most of the cosmetic changes to the updated EcoSport are concentrated in its face. You have a new hexagonal grille and sharp, angular headlamps that look a lot like the Mustang’s and the Endeavour’s, as well as a redesigned front bumper and fog lamps. The 17-inch alloy wheels – shod with 205/50 R17 tyres (on higher-spec variants) – feature a new design as well, though the EcoSport will remain more or less unchanged in profile and round the back (hatch-mounted spare wheel too!). Ford also offers more colour options for this car, especially with the new S and Signature Edition variants, which get a dual-tone orange and a new blue paint finish, respectively. In addition to these, Ford has also tweaked the suspension and steering on the S to make it sportier to drive.

2. It gets new interior design too:
Ford has changed a fair amount on the inside too – the basic design of the dash is more or less the same, but the centre console gets a new layout and is crowned by a touchscreen for Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system. The instrument cluster and steering wheel are also all-new and the cabin is now decorated with body-coloured inserts, as opposed to silver ones on the previous car. There is a lot of new switchgear, too. The top-spec S and Signature Edition get dual-tone interiors that mirror the exterior colours – orange and black for the former and blue and black for the latter. The S trim also features a slightly tweaked instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch infotainment display and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

3. Two new petrol engines on offer:
Ford’s all-new Dragon series of petrol engines made its Indian debut in the updated EcoSport. Leading the charge then, was the new 1.5-litre three-cylinder unit in the EcoSport that makes 123hp and 150Nm of torque. The Dragon series engine comes mated to a five-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic. The new petrol engine will be accompanied by the same old 1.5-litre diesel engine that puts out 100hp and is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. With the S variant, Ford has re-introduced the 1-litre EcoBoost turbo-petrol engine on the EcoSport. The engine still makes the same 125hp and 170Nm of torque, though now there’s a new six-speed manual on offer. The Signature Edition shares its powertrain with the standard EcoSport.

4. It will feature new tech and features:
The updated EcoSport will receive the aforementioned new touchscreen infotainment system with Ford’s SYNC 3 software, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also gets cruise control, a speed-limiter function, a rear-view camera, automatic wipers, headlamps and climate control, a tyre pressure monitoring system, dual USB ports, steering-mounted audio and trip controls and paddle shifters for the automatic variant. In terms of safety, the top-spec gets six airbags and ABS with EBD, along with electronic stability control, traction control, hill-launch assist and emergency brake assist for the automatic variant. While the car does miss out on some kit (like rear AC vents) it is well-kitted. The new top-spec Signature Edition and S trim also get a sunroof – which Ford likes to call the ‘fun roof’.

5. It faces stiff competition:
The EcoSport is the oldest compact SUV around, launched in 2012, and has seen the number of its competitors rise dramatically. Today, its sales are under pressure from rivals – like the critically acclaimed Maruti Vitara Brezza and the Tata Nexon. The competition recently launched their well-priced automatic (read: AMT) variants, although they have no answer to the more powerful 1-litre turbo-petrol engine. However, Ford still lacks a diesel-automatic version in its EcoSport line-up – a variant that its rivals now possess.