As you know by now, the conventional small family car is on the way out and the era of the so-called crossover small SUV is here. In the last nine years demand for small SUV's has gone from eight per cent of the European market to 26 per cent and within two years it will account for 5.7 million cars. One in three of us will be driving a small SUV at that stage.
And, of course, every manufacturer wants a slice of this growing pie. There are so many new small SUV's (in fact, they don't really qualify as SUV's at all - just lookalikes) that its hard to keep up and the competition is pretty fierce and growing.
Into this marketplace comes the latest iteration of the Ford EcoSport that carries a price tag of €26,900. Ford says the car will come with two high levels of specifications - hence the starting price - but it puts the car a hell of a distance away from several other competitors. The new Kia Stonic, for example, starts at €18,599 and the SEAT Arona at €18,000. Even the target competitor for the EcoSport - the Opel Mokka - starts at €22,495.
Ford then will have a job to to to convince people that the EcoSport is so good that it merits the premium. My experience tells me that the starting price is the starting point for most people. That's why the Dacia Duster - starting at €16,180 - has left dust in the face of many more established names in recent years.
So what will you be getting for your premium when the EcoSport gets here in January ?
It will be offered only in Titanium and ST-Line versions (so no bog standard entry version then) with number of features as standard including Ford SYNC 3 Navigation with 8" touchscreen; DAB radio; Emergency Assistance; Apple CarPlay / Android Auto; Rear View Camera; Keyless Start; Cruise Control with Speed Limiter and Partial Leather Trim.
The interior has been well revised and the floating screen gives it a modern finish. However, there is no getting away from the fact that this is a narrow car and can feel a bit cramped at times.
The ECoSport is based on the Focus and Fiesta, but lacks the dynamics of both.
The EcoSport is based on the Focus and Fiesta - one of Ford's best offerings - but a fairly decent period of EcoSport driving recently did'nt quite show that the EcoSport has benefited from the chassis dynamics of either the Fiesta or the Focus.
The 125 horse power 1.5-litre EcoBlue is the diesel model on offer. Ford is making some generous claims for its fuel consumption but on an initial test run we did not manage more than 7.8 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres.
That's not a record-breaker by any stretch and is behind some bigger engines from Ford's competitors. We will reserve judgement until a longer test, however.
There are also 125 and 140 horse power versions of Ford's 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine.
In terms of looks the EcoSport has a curious profile with a sawn-off rear and a rather long overhang at the front. The overall result may look a bit more muscular but lacks the refined lines of other small SUV's. The EcoSport retains the rear door that opens outwards from a smallish boot and that rear door is a bit of an anachronism. It means, for example, that in a tight parking spot with a wall behind you, your opening options are greatly limited. It's quite an uneccessary drawback.
All Wheel Drive technology with a 50/50 power split will be available later next year. There will also be an automatic petrol version.
