2019 (19) Ford Ecosport 1.5 EcoBlue ST-Line 5dr

By Jonathan Crouch

Introduction

The EcoSport, Ford's most compact SUV, was a revitalised package in this post-2018 revised form, aimed more precisely at the fashionable needs of city-bound but adventurous buyers. There was smarter styling, a completely upgraded cabin, improved infotainment provision and, at the top of the range, a fresh 4WD option paired with an efficient 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine. If you're looking for a small supermini-based crossover from the 2018-2023 period and haven't yet considered this car, in this form it's worth a second look.

History

Thinking of a Ford EcoSport in your search for a small used supermini-based SUV? You may not be - and with good reason. Original versions of this model did, after all, struggle in comparison with obvious rivals. The much improved post-2018 version of this car though, was a better all-round proposition are could seriously interest you. By 2018, on the face of things, Ford had done quite well with the EcoSport since its original 2014 launch, with 150,000 EcoSports sold in Europe in the first four years of production, contributing to a healthy 30% increase in SUV sales across the company's model line-up. In that period though, SUV sales across the continent for the market as a whole increased by a whopping 280%. And the bottom line was that the original EcoSport ought to have done much better. There are a number of reasons why it didn't. For a start, the EcoSport was launched far too late, Ford having mis-judged the growing importance of the segment for small supermini-based SUVs, popularised as early as 2010 by the trendy Nissan Juke. Which was ironic since way back in 2002, the company introduced a Fiesta-based model, the Fusion, which if it had been packaged and marketed right, could have cleaned up in this class way before rivals had even got their contenders to the drawing board. Instead, the Fusion was sold as a slightly bigger, slightly more versatile kind of Fiesta, sat largely unwanted for most of its life in the corner of Ford showrooms and wasn't replaced. When the more overt and in-your-face Juke arrived and started selling by the truck load, the Blue Oval brand realised its mistake - but didn't have a European-designed small SUV product to sell in this segment. The company's South American division though did, Ford having been selling a jacked-up Fiesta-based SUV called the EcoSport on that Continent since 2004. Quickly, the decision was taken to make the second generation version of that car a model that could be sold in Europe as well, with production sourced from a low cost labour Ford factory in India to allow for attractive showroom pricing. In the rush to get this model to market though, there was little time to tailor it for the needs of European buyers and the result was a car that fell below customer and media expectations in terms of ride, handling and cabin quality. The EcoSport was quickly updated - in 2015 and 2016 - with improvements in all these areas, but it was all too little, too late. Which is why we got the car we're going to look at here, a fundamentally updated EcoSport launched in early 2018. It wasn't a completely new generation model, but it was very much the next best thing, with no fewer than 2,360 new parts aimed at transforming this product's proposition. The styling became far more sophisticated and mature, plus the cabin was massively upgraded, featuring the brand's SYNC 3 infotainment technology. Under the bonnet, there was a new entry-level 100PS 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol unit, while at the top of the range, there was an all-new 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel variant that brought 4WD to the line-up for the first time. And everything was from 2018 onwards screwed together in a state-of-the-art European factory in Romania. The diesel version was discontinued at the end of 2020, at the same time that a lifestyle-orientated 'Active' variant was introduced at the top of the range. The EcoSport was sold until early 2024, when it left the range and wasn't replaced.

What You Get

This updated EcoSport certainly looked a lot better. What was previously a cutesy and cartoonish shape became a far more mature and purposeful thing, featuring a front three-quarter profile that Ford says was inspired by rucksack straps. It was all supposed to reflect what the brand liked to see as this EcoSport's 'adventurous character'. The biggest changes featured at the front end, where the rather awkward 'basking shark'-style nose of the original model was replaced by a sleeker trapezoidal grille that gave the car far more of a family resemblance to Ford's larger Kuga and Edge SUV models. Plus, above entry-level trim, Ford fitted the roof rails that by 2018 were an almost obligatory feature on a model in this segment. Talking of trends, here Ford got with the one that saw buyers in this sector wanting to order their small SUVs with contrast-coloured roofs, this being an option with the mid-range trim level and a standard feature on the top 'ST-Line' variant that also featured a full body kit. Behind the wheel, the completely re-designed cabin was very different from the down-market interior provided by earlier versions of this model. Fit, finish and trimming was of a much higher standard, as was the infotainment provision, upgraded to the 'SYNC 3' status introduced by the seventh generation Fiesta. On most variants, this is accessed by a large 8-inch centre-dash screen which features navigation, 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smart-phone mirroring and could include an optional 'B&O PLAY' 10-speaker audio system. On to rear seat space. Getting in isn't especially easy as the door aperture is quite narrow, but once inside, you'll find the back of an EcoSport a surprisingly pleasant place to be thanks not only to the high, airy roofline but also to the fact that the rear seats are set slightly above those in the front for a better view out. And luggage space? Well the side-hinged tailgate can make boot access rather awkward, particularly if you're backed close to a wall. Inside, an unremarkable 356-litre trunk capacity is on offer. If you push forward the 60:40-split rear backrest, it's extendable to 1,238-litres.

What to Look For

We found lots of satisfied EcoSport customers but inevitably, our survey revealed quite a few issues too. Common problems include issues with the transmission, including rough idling. There have been some brake-related problem, so check those on the test drive. Problems range from squeaky brakes to brake fluid leaks or premature brake wear. And the usual electrical issues manifest themselves, including problems with the infotainment system, the power windows and the door locks. Look out for warning lights on the dashboard. We've come across owners with malfunctioning thermostats, faulty water pumps and radiator problems. And there's an issue with the oil pump, which is driven by a belt, not gears or chains as is more common. We've come across some engine failures on automatic EcoSports, so be particularly careful with these. www.ecosportownersclub.co.uk is a good forum for queries. It's extremely unlikely that this car will have ventured beyond a paved surface, so you'll just need to look for the usual scratched alloys and evidence of child damage in the back. The cabin plastics mark easily, so check them carefully; this could be grounds for a small price reduction. As usual, check that the service book is fully stamped up to date. Some ex-fleet models may have missed out on garage visits.

Replacement Parts

(approx based on a 2018 EcoSport 1.0 EcoBoost 125PS - Ex Vat) An air filter costs around £6-£26 and an oil filter costs in the £5-£26 bracket. Front brake pads sit in the £18 to £50 bracket for a set. Rear brake pads sit in the £27 bracket for a set. Brake discs can be as affordable as around £33. Wiper blades cost in the £3 to £13 bracket. A fuel filter costs in the £2 to £14 bracket, while an alternator pump costs in the £140-£423 bracket.

On the Road

The news that this car is based on a Ford Fiesta should certainly set you off in a positive frame of mind when it comes to the drive on offer. The issue though, is one of exactly what would happen to a Fiesta if you gave it a relatively lofty 190mm ride height, 136kgs of extra weight and a chunky high-riding body. After all, even Ford's chassis engineers aren't miracle workers, something which is fairly evident from the driving experience served up by this car. To be fair, the Blue Oval brand did much improve this car in this post-2018 form, tweaking the springs, dampers and steering of this revised model in order to make it better suit European roads. And there were some wins as part of that process. The consistent and well-weighted steering for example, was way better than before. Plus the brakes are impressive, the shift change of the 6-speed manual gearbox is slick and highway cruising is pretty refined. Ultimately though, what could be achieved here was rather limited by the high, boxy shape, a big contributing factor to the way the car feels uncomfortable with fast cornering or sudden directional changes at speed. It also rides quite stiffly on its firm suspension. Still, it's nothing you couldn't live with and most likely buyers won't want to drive on their door handles anyway. Engine-wise, most buyers will choose the 125PS version of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine familiar from the Fiesta, the unit you have to have if you want your EcoSport with automatic transmission. This variant is capable of 54.3mpg on the combined cycle and 119g/km. This three cylinder petrol powerplant is also available in 100PS and 140PS guises. Plus there are a couple of 1.5-litre TDCi diesel options, a normally aspirated unit developing 100PS and a preferable turbo 'EcoBlue' turbo version putting out 125PS and solely offered with Ford's 'Intelligent All Wheel Drive' system.

Overall

In this post-2018-era updated guise, the EcoSport proved to be a much more promising prospect. It looks a more serious product - and is - in almost every respect. The EcoBoost petrol engines remain a big draw, plus as before, this car is reasonable value and decently equipped. Back in 2018 we were also very much impressed by the extent to which the cabin had been so greatly improved. Ultimately though, this still wasn't a product originally designed for the European market and Ford continued to find it hard to get round this model's fundamentally South American origins. In this form though, the EcoSport is worth taking a little more seriously. This update turned it into a very credible contender.