The founder of the compact SUV segment has finally got an
update and this one has been due for a while now. Yes, it is the Ford EcoSport
and this updated model will be launched in India on 9 November.
The EcoSport in its current avatar had been receiving
updates constantly to keep pace with the competition, but had gotten a bit long
in the tooth as the competition eventually caught up and then moved ahead too.
To see how the new EcoSport fares against its two main
rivals- the Honda WR-V and the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, here is the
three-way spec comparison.
Exterior
Three approaches to same concept- a simple way to sum up
what we are looking at when we compare these three cars. The Vitara Brezza is
the traditional SUV design with the square stance and boxy lines. The EcoSport
is muscular in that American SUV way while the WR-V has gone down the crossover
road and is defined by its lower stance and curvy lines.
Their signature elements are all the same- the grille, head
lamps as well tail lamps. In the Vitara Brezza, its square and heavy shapes all
around while in the EcoSport, with this new design, the large grille has got a
bit smaller but still stands prominent. The curvy lines of the WR-V are typical
of the Honda design language and give the crossover a unique look among the
three.
Interior
Like the exterior, here too you can see three very different
approaches to the concept of the cabin design. In the Brezza, Maruti Suzuki has
decided to play it safe with the design. You get all the segment standard
features but laid out in an uncluttered, simple and stacked manner.
The WR-V gets a driver oriented centre console with stuff
like touchscreen infotainment system, climate control and height adjustment for
the driver’s seat. What’s more, you also get chrome inserts for the dashboard
adding to the premium look.
The EcoSport has a similar colour scheme and feature list as
compared to the WR-V, but gets a floating display for the infotainment system
as well as a revised instrument cluster. Both these have definitely added to
the improved look of the cabin as compared to the outgoing model.
Performance
The Ford EcoSport is now the newest player on the block. Its
petrol engine is a new 1.5-litre three-cylinder mill producing 123bhp/150Nm
while the diesel too is a 1.5-litre producing 99bhp/205Nm. Both engines get a five-speed
manual while the petrol can also be had with a six-speed AT. If you are a
turbocharging fan, then you can also have the 1.0-litre EcoBoost motor that
produces 124bhp/170Nm, but it is only available in the Titanium variants.
The Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza is offered only with the
1.3-litre diesel Multijet motor that produces 90bhp/190Nm. The only gearbox on
offer is a five-speed manual. However, an AMT option is available in the
Indonesian market.
The Honda WR-V can be had with the 100bhp/200Nm 1.5-litre
engine or with the 1.2-litre 89bhp/114Nm petrol engine. The diesel is offered
with a six-speed MT while the petrol can be had with a five-speed MT or a
CVT.
Conclusion
The EcoSport has now got in its arsenal, whatever is
required to take on the Brezza and WR-V. However, its task is quite a big one
as both cars have firmly established themselves in the compact SUV segment. We
believe that Ford will price the new EcoSport just marginally higher than the
outgoing model.
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