Test drive Ford EcoSport 1.5 Automatic: City type

First impressions of the updated crossover in the version with the base engine and automatic

when Ford decided to intervene in the small urban crossover segment on the Old Continent, the brand did so not with a completely new model, but with the budget model Ford EcoSport already known in a number of non-European markets. It makes sense, however, that the car, which was originally built for markets such as Latin America and India, is very different from what most European buyers of this brand are looking for, as well as what is associated with modern Ford models.

Now, as part of a partial refurbishment of the model, Ford has tried to address a number of shortcomings that have so far prevented the Ford EcoSport from winning more buyers in Europe. The stylistic retouching of the exterior makes the appearance of the car more modern and beautiful, and the removal of the spare wheel on the rear cover makes parking much easier and brings the car's appearance closer to European tastes. Those who still adhere to this decision can order an external spare wheel as an option. In the cabin, the quality of materials has been noticeably improved, and the atmosphere has been improved by more chrome-plated decor elements. The steering wheel is borrowed from the Focus, and the layout and ergonomics are very close to the Fiesta. You should not expect miracles with interior space - after all, the model is only four meters and one centimeter in length, and behind the vision of an SUV lies the platform of a small Fiesta. The front seats do not quite correspond to European habits, the seat of which is too short for the average European.

Increased travel comfort

The car has made the most progress in terms of sound insulation and road behavior. Acoustic comfort has been significantly improved, and the suspension has received revised settings, an all-new rear axle and new dampers. As a result, on-road behavior has become significantly more balanced, driving comfort has been significantly improved, road stability and handling have also shown significant progress, although in this respect the Ford EcoSport continues to be inferior to the incredibly agile yet unexpectedly comfortable. Fiesta. Electromechanical control is presented at a level, works quite clearly and gives satisfactory feedback to the driver.

Thanks to the high position of the seat, visibility from the driver's seat is excellent, which, combined with the compact external dimensions of the car and good maneuverability, makes the Ford EcoSport 1.5 Automatic extremely easy to drive in urban conditions, when parking and maneuvering in tight spaces. This is really good news, since this model is primarily designed for navigating the urban jungle. The combination of a base 1,5-horsepower 110-liter petrol engine and a six-speed automatic transmission is designed for the city - an interesting solution for people who are looking for the comfort of driving an automatic but do not have a big budget. The bike is old school and delivers decent performance for city riding, but due to its limited grip and tendency to get quite noisy at high speeds, it's not particularly recommended for long rides. If you plan on using the Ford EcoSport more often for long hauls, it's wise to focus on the modern 125-litre Ecoboost unit with solid traction and moderate fuel consumption, available in 140 and 1,5 hp versions, or the economical 95. -liter turbodiesel with a capacity of XNUMX hp

CONCLUSION

The Ford EcoSport 1.5 Automatic update brought the model a more pleasant ride, more harmonious behavior and better acoustic comfort. As before, the model does not offer miracles in terms of internal volume. The combination of a basic 1,5-liter engine and an automatic transmission is interesting for people looking for comfort in urban environments, but not having a large budget. Otherwise, we recommend versions 1.0 Ecoboost and 1.5 TDCi.

Text: Bozhan Boshnakov

Photos: Ford