The EcoSport remains one of South Africa's favourite compact SUVs, and if you're confused with regard to which model you should pick, we can help.

Can’t quite decide which variant of Ford EcoSport to pick? Well, it depends on your lifestyle as well as your budget.

Before we start comparing, here is what the local line-up looks like, at present.

Ford EcoSport models and pricing in SA

Ford EcoSport 1.5 Ambiente R 311 400
Ford EcoSport 1.5 TDCi Ambiente R 322 500
Ford EcoSport 1.5 Ambiente Auto R 331 800
Ford EcoSport 1.5 Ambiente Black R 346 710 
Ford EcoSport 1.0T Trend R 358 700
Ford EcoSport 1.0T Trend Auto R 375 300
Ford EcoSport 1.0T Active R 393 700
Ford EcoSport 1.0T Titanium  R 401 600
Ford EcoSport 1.0T Titanium Auto R 416 900

As you can see from the list, there are three engines on offer. The 1.5-litre, naturally aspirated petrol, a 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine, and Ford’s award-winning 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine.

The entry-level Ambiente models make do with the 1.5 petrol or 1.5 turbodiesel, and if you pick a manual between these two, you’ll have a 5-speed gearbox at your disposal. The 1.5 petrol has 91kW and 150 Nm of torque, and the turbodiesel has 74kW and 205 Nm.

If you have more to spend, you can start looking at the 1.0T models with a 999cc turbocharged engine. This engine has 92 kW and 170Nm of torque.

which model of ford ecosport is best?

Which EcoSport should you pick?

My personal choice

Just a reminder – just because this EcoSport is best for me, doesn’t mean it’s best for you – but my choice fits my budget and is ideal for my lifestyle.

I drive far and often, and road trips are my thing, so my pick of the litter will be the 1.5TDCi Ambiente (turbodiesel). I don’t mind the manual gearbox because living in the countryside means I don’t have to be stuck in traffic very often. I am a bit sad that it’s a five-speed and not a 6-speed manual gearbox like in the other higher-spec models, but considering that it’s a diesel, and the second-cheapest model in the line-up, not only will I be saving on fuel but saving on monthly repayments too.

The Ambiente models are a little sparsely specified though – there’s no hill-start assist available, and no cruise control either. The windows in the rear are not electric, and the headlamps are just the normal halogen type, not LED projector headlamps like the other models have. Park distance control is standard, at least. A 4.2-inch screen with Ford’s first-generation SYNC system takes care of infotainment.

I drove the 1.5-litre petrol  Ford EcoSport Black (it’s based on the Ambiente manual model) last year – fuel consumption is not the best, and I know this because I took it on a trip to Montagu and you can read my review here:

which model of ford ecosport is best?

Best overall value?

From a value perspective, the EcoSport 1.0T Trend models offer a generous amount of features at a price that is still relatively affordable (including the 8-inch SYNC3 touchscreen infotainment system). It’s a relatively large jump from the manual to the automatic model, but if you do find yourself commuting in heavy traffic day by day, then it’s totally worth the money.

Top of the range?

If you have money at your disposal, the Titanium models have everything but the kitchen sink, of course, but I wouldn’t spend all that money for items like mood lighting and a keyless start button, among other things.

Ané AlbertseAné was bitten by the motoring bug at a very young age. Her mom recalls her sitting in her stroller as a 3-year old, naming every car that came past. She was working as a freelance motoring journalist for publications such as Rapport and City Press, when AutoTrader nabbed her for good. She lives in the Western Cape with her two kids and two cats.View News & Reviews

Keyword: Which model of Ford EcoSport is best?

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