What makes the Ford EcoSport an ultimate urban warrior

In the Philippines, the Ford EcoSport happens to be one of those pioneer models that built up the small crossover segment. Despite its subcompact dimensions, the EcoSport packs big surprises, in fact, it’s one of the most cleverly-packaged subcompact crossovers in the market today. Aside from its range of creature comforts, this small wonder comes reinforced with a number of essential features that could help you get through the wild concrete jungle. That said, we’ve listed down a couple of things that make the Ford EcoSport an ultimate urban warrior. Let’s proceed, shall we?

Exterior-wise, the Ford EcoSport does look quirky and ready to take on some adventures. The overall look does pay homage to some of those larger SUVs, with it being executed in a rather miniature form. It gets a good amount of black cladding and roof rails which does complement its crossover profile. One of its quirkiest design cues is the rear-mounted spare tire that is quite uncommon nowadays.

The Ford EcoSport’s small dimensions make it easy to drive and even maneuver around tight spaces. It also gets good visibility which will help you check your surroundings easily from time to time. Ford also gave the EcoSport a relatively light power-assisted steering system that allows you to turn the vehicle with ease and better confidence.

Uneven roads, speed bumps, and even natural calamities such as floods often hinder many from getting a small vehicle. Thankfully, the EcoSport may be small yet it sits high above the ground, 209 mm to be exact. That’s more than enough to cross you through unexpected city obstacles including floods which often occur in select areas during the rainy season. Aside from that, the higher ground clearance also rewards drivers with better forward visibility.

Traffic can be boring especially on EDSA, thankfully, the EcoSport’s range of convenience features will keep you relaxed and entertained throughout your trip. All variants get a touchscreen infotainment system, depending on the trim, the screen could either be sized at 8-inches or 9-inches. The EcoSport can also be had with a  4 speaker setup while higher-end trims such as the 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium AT get a 7 speaker audio system. Other essential features include the cooled glove box where you can store some refreshments, plus, the top-of-the-line trim also gets a sunroof and leather seats.

The Ford EcoSport range is currently available with two engine options, namely, the 1.5-liter gasoline and a smaller yet mightier 1.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine that is exclusive on the range-topping Titanium variant. The said motor is able to produce a healthy 123 hp and 170 Nm of torque, it’s paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission plus, it has a start-stop system that should boost your fuel economy.

Like most modern cars, the Ford EcoSport comes with a good amount of safety and security features. The following include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), electronic stability control, traction control, hill start assist, rearview camera with parking sensors, and airbags (dual-front, side), while higher-end variants come added with side curtain airbags and hill descent control.

Despite its richness in terms of looks, functionality, and features, the Ford EcoSport still has an affordable price range. Starting with the 1.5 Ambiente MT that's priced at P920,000, the 1.5 Trend MT, on the other hand, retails at P938,000, opting for the Trend AT will require you to shell out P998,000. As for the 1.5 Titanium AT, it retails at P1,100,000, and lastly, the range-topping 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium AT is priced at P1,190,000.

With all that said, it goes to show that Ford’s smallest offering does come in with bigger surprises. Not to mention, it is well conclusive that the EcoSport is indeed worthy of being considered as an ultimate urban warrior.