The article was originally produced on February 13, 2018, some facts and prices may have changed since then.

Ford Ecosport

The class for small SUVs has completely exploded and Ford is of course in this hornet's nest, now with an updated version of the EcoSport.

The EcoSport model came in 2012 and was then completely new for Ford in the compact SUV segment. When the car was presented, however, it was not available in Europe and only arrived here in 2014. Since then, this class has grown the most of all classes and the brand that does not have an SUV of this type will miss out on a lot of revenue. Since the model went on sale in Europe, more than 150,000 copies have found their way onto the roads. In Sweden, however, this model has not become a bestseller and is quite rare. But with the new EcoSport, which has a whopping 2,300 updates since its predecessor, this thing is guaranteed to change. The new look, which follows the siblings Kuga and Edge with a tougher front, gives the car a lot more attitude than its predecessor. Together with a completely new interior and the high level of equipment the EcoSport offers, this should become a very attractive car model for many. To name a few things that are usually found in luxury premium models, there are features such as a heated steering wheel and windshield as well as washer nozzles. A fitting convenience for those of us who live with snow and cold for large parts of the year. 

The test drive took place on the Portuguese coast near Lisbon. The afternoon light along the rocky shores with high waves is a feast for the eye and the camera. On a rock ledge with a small concrete house I find a place to take the pictures of the car. The road out to the photo spot is a bit bumpy, but no problem for the EcoSport, which is very easy to handle due to its small size and the fact that you have a good overview because you sit a little higher up. 

As mentioned earlier, the interior has received a substantial update. The entire center console is new with new controls and buttons. In the upper part of the center we find a brand new eight-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. Like the vast majority of car models nowadays, the EcoSport also comes with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A prerequisite for being able to handle your phone legally in traffic nowadays. To really not disappoint people who like good sound, you can choose a sound system from Bang & Olufsen. 

The engine options for the new EcoSport get an update. One of the new options is a 1.5-liter diesel machine with the additional name EcoBlue with 125 horses and 300 Newtons of torque. Consumption on this is said to land at under half a liter per mile, corresponding to 119 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer in mixed driving. However, something we don't have time to check properly during the two days the test drive is in progress. A new type of intelligent four-wheel drive is also being launched. In a few milliseconds, the car can adjust the power between the front and rear wheels based on what is needed. This means both safer and more enjoyable behavior during active driving. Which could really be experienced on the winding roads above the coast. Few people will probably subject their EcoSport to this type of driving, but it's fun that the car can actually handle being properly provoked and still not flinch.

The red car available for the test drive had the Ruby Red color option, one of twelve new color choices for the EcoSport. The sportier ST-Line equipment package is also new for the EcoSport. 

As mentioned earlier, this class of small SUVs is on the rise. Ford's contribution with the EcoSport is definitely one of the better and more affordable options. If you want a small, tough and technically maximized car both when it comes to safety and comfort, you should definitely pay extra attention to the Ford EcoSport.