Ford EcoSport (2013 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]
Summary
The Ford EcoSport is a small SUV/crossover that was launched in 2013 and updated in 2017.
The EcoSport has received mostly poor to average scores from most of the UK media, although the updated version launched in 2017 is considered a significant improvement on earlier versions. However, there are many rivals in this sector and a lot of them are rated more highly than the Ford EcoSport.
The diesel engine option has disappeared due to lack of demand, meaning that by 2020 the only engine option was a 1.0-litre petrol engine. The new Ford Puma isn’t officially a replacement for the EcoSport, but it’s about the same size, only a little more expensive and a lot more popular, so the EcoSport’s days may be numbered.
As of December 2021, the Ford EcoSport has an Expert Rating of 42% based on 20 reviews. That puts it right down near the bottom of the small SUV rankings, with only the MG ZS and Mitsubishi ASX scoring worse.
Key specifications
Body style: Small SUV/crossoverEngines: petrol
Price: From £20,850 on-road
Launched: Spring 2013Last updated: Spring 2017
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Score: 4 / 10“With below-par practicality and uninspiring road manners, the Ford EcoSport can’t match the best small SUVs.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 5 / 10“The Ford Ecosport is reasonably competitive on price when compared to many key rivals, but it is true that there are some very desirable rivals – like the Volkswagen T-Cross and Renault Captur – that’ll cost you a bit less to buy.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: 2021Score: 4 / 10“Ford’s boxy Ecosport supermini SUV is finally finding a receptive audience after some significant mid-life revisions.”
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Score: 6 / 10“It’s a long time since a new Ford was as bad as the Ecosport. It may not be a European-hailing car and it may be due an early revision to address its failings, but customers won’t care and neither should we.”
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Car
Score: 6 / 10“The EcoSport is now much easier to recommend than it was before. It looks better than it did, has a nicer interior and comes with a good range of engines. However, that doesn’t quite feel enough to push it to the top of the class.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“In Ford’s excellent line-up, it was always the Ecosport that managed to just fall shy of the mark. However, that has now changed with this latest version, with a much-improved interior making a lot of difference to the overall package. Combine affordable prices with lots of standard equipment and a good range of engines and the Ecosport is a small SUV that should be on your shortlist.”
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Carbuyer
Score: 6 / 10“Despite improvements, the EcoSport remains a less convincing package than any other car in the Ford line-up.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“The Ford EcoSport is a small SUV with Tonka-toy looks and agile handling. Unfortunately, the latter comes at the expense of comfortable suspension and the boot isn’t very practical”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual Titanium“The Ford Ecosport is better, but still not as good as the most polished rivals in the segment, and the much-improved looks are still a bit challenging.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 4 / 10“Where once there was a place for the EcoSport in the Ford range as a stop-gap to snap up buyers hungry for anything with a raised driving position, the presence of the vastly superior Puma now renders it obsolete.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 6 / 10“It’s fair to say it’s not Ford’s most adventurous design, but it does look good from the front with a strong mini-SUV look. We’re far less convinced by the rear though.”
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Motors.co.uk
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 5 / 10“The Ford EcoSport did not get off to the best start in life in the UK, with a relatively poor transition that belied its South American origins and emerging market intent. It garnered poor reviews on just about every front and though it has improved since then, it’s still fighting off some of that negative early publicity. The cheapish cabin doesn’t do much to help either.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 7.2 / 10“New face and tech for compact SUV”
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The Sun
“The new SUV would be perfect but for the totally impractical rear door. This just makes the compact city SUV not a very compact city SUV.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre EcoBoost 125hp ST-Line petrol manualScore: 7 / 10“Improvements all round, quality and style abound in Ford’s tiny hulk.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual EcoBoost ST-LineScore: 6 / 10“There’s no doubt this latest Ford Ecosport is an improvement on its predecessor (particularly on the inside) and Ford’s 1.0-litre engine is terrific. However, that’s still not enough to lift it above average in what is fast becoming one of the most congested sectors of the new car market. The diesel version is even farther off the pace.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“Ford has gone to work on the updated EcoSport, dragging it from a blot on its record to a class contender.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Score: 4 / 10“The Ford Ecosport’s chunky looks and commanding driving position are easy to fall for, but it’s a disappointing car to drive and is stingy with space inside.”
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Score: 4 / 10“The Ford Ecosport’s chunky looks are easy to fall for, but it’s a disappointing car to drive and is stingy with space.”
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Which?
“It’s not a terrible SUV, it has some positive aspects and this facelift certainly improves upon the older version of the car. However, this area of the market is packed to the rafters with competing models, the best of which outshine the EcoSport.”
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Safety rating
No safety rating
The Ford EcoSport was originally crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2013 and awarded a four-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2020 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating.
Occasionally, Euro NCAP will re-test an older vehicle that is still on sale and issue a new rating, but given that the EcoSport is probably not long for this world, it’s unlikely to happen in this case.
Eco rating
No eco rating
The Ford EcoSport has not yet been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP. As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP, and the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic before resuming in the second half of the year.
Given that the EcoSport is now an old vehicle, it’s unlikely that the current car will be assessed by Green NCAP. However, if it does happen, we’ll publish the results here.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Ford EcoSport, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën C3 Aircross | Dacia Duster | Fiat 500X | Ford Puma | Honda HR-V | Hyundai Kona | Kia Stonic | MG ZS | Mazda CX-3 | Mini Countryman | Mitsubishi ASX | Nissan Juke | Peugeot 2008 | Renault Captur | SEAT Arona | Skoda Kamiq | SsangYong Tivoli | Suzuki Vitara | Vauxhall Crossland X | Volkswagen T-Cross | Volkswagen T-Roc
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Keyword: Ford EcoSport