Ford EcoSport Titanium
Ford never seizes to amaze their clients in terms of their requirements especially when it comes to buying the perfect vehicle. We show off this family-oriented ford EcoSport that is fitting to any young-family and hope our readers will consider this as their next buy.
The Ford EcoSport has continued to hold the unofficial title as one of the most popular compact crossover SUVs in South Africa, and amongst plenty of official titles, it’s also a record-breaker for the number of units the automaker has sold. There’s a reason why the slight-sized SUV is so beloved, and the incredibly reasonable starting price of just over R311k is one of those reasons – there is also a lot of choice available in the range, with petrol and diesel options that offer fuel consumption as low as 4.6 litres per 100 kilometres.
Saving on your budget isn’t all there is to this package, however, and in the upper reaches of the EcoSport line-up, there is plenty of value to be found including leather seats, an eight-inch infotainment setup, and safety features that will ensure your family arrives safe and sound. This is a must-see if you have a small to mid-sized family and want a versatile little runner.
At A Glance
The EcoSport is one of the more familiar sights on South African roads, and as such, the slight size and boxy shape is easily recognised, even from a distance. Despite looking like a miniaturised version of a large, standard square SUV, the compact crossover has sleek and smooth lines, a striking fascia, and the iconic spare wheel slapped on the rear. Titanium models can also be had with the optional Black package, which blacks out some of the exterior goodies for a more aggressive, bolder look. It includes black 16-inch wheels, black grille surrounds, skid plate inserts, a black-painted roof, and the spare wheel in glossy ebony, too.
Ambiente models are the base-spec models, with Trend and Titanium versions above it in the line-up. At the entry point to the range, you get halogen headlights with rear foglamps, while Trend and Titanium trims get LED projector lamps up front as well as daytime running lamps. The top-end model gets auto on/off headlamps additionally.
Step Inside
The interior covers a broad range of expectations, with Ambiente models catering to the more budget-friendly aspects, while upper-spec Titanium models are a little plusher. At the lower end of the range, the cabin is predominantly functional and makes use of loads of hard-wearing materials and tough plastics which are less opulent but much easier to keep clean – an ideal setup for a family with smaller kids. At the upper end of the range, you get leather upholstery, a front armrest, and ambient lighting.
The EcoSport comes with manual air conditioning, electric windows, remote central locking, ABS, rear parking sensors, a 4.2-inch colour display and Ford’s most basic infotainment setup that connects via Bluetooth, voice control, and USB. There are four speakers as standard. Climbing up in the range there are more features unlocked, including an eight-inch colour touchscreen with Ford SYNC 3, navigation, and seven speakers. The top trim also gets an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, front parking sensors, collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and push-button start, and more airbags.
Since it competes in the compact crossover segment, the EcoSport is understandable not overly spacious. This isn’t an EcoSport-only disadvantage, however, although it is a little tighter for passengers than some rivals. Still, for the daily commute, you should be able to ferry three in the back over shorter journeys, while two adults in the back for longer road trips will be a better option overall.
Under The Bonnet
There are three options in the EcoSport line-up, with the Titanium using a 1.5-litre inline-three that makes 91 kW of power and 151 Nm of torque, or an inline-four diesel with 74 kW and 205 Nm. Both these are available with a five-speed manual, while the three-cylinder option can be had with a six-speed auto. Trend models and up come with a 1.0-litre turbo petrol three-cylinder that offers 92 kW and 170 Nm and offer the choice of a six-speed auto or a six-speed manual.
These aren’t particularly powerful, but the small body and light kerb weight make it quite peppy and capable in the city. Take-offs and highway cruising are adequate, and you’ll be able to pass slower cars without a fuss. Ford’s clever engineering makes this an ideal city cruiser that can manage bumper-to-bumper traffic just as well as it does slightly rougher terrain. That being said, the elevated ground clearance and robust stance shouldn’t trick you into thinking this is an off-roader, because it isn’t. But it won’t hesitate to trek across gravel or dirt roads to get to your local fishing spot.
The benefit of small-capacity engines and lower outputs is excellent fuel economy, with the thirstiest version attaining 6.9 litres per 100, while the 1.5 diesel will sip on fuel at only 4.6 litres per 100 km. The 1.0-litre versions fare best with the manual transmission and manage 5.4 litres, while auto variants reach around 6.3 litres per 100 km.
So, What’s The Scoop?
The little crossover from Ford has lots to offer, especially if you are budget conscious in terms of purchase price and spending at the pumps. Choosing the 1.5-litre diesel option will see exceptionally good fuel consumption while offering low-down torque to hustle the EcoSport along.
Additionally, you get a minimum of six airbags (seven in upper trims) and sufficient safety features conducive to carrying your most precious cargo around – this includes ISOFIX latches for child safety seats. For these low prices, you also get a four-year/120 000-km warranty that underscores even more why this is an excellent value-for-money option for those seeking a family car that also manages to cater to those with a sense of adventure
