One of our team has been test-driving the new Ford ECOSPORT DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.5 TDCi 95 Titanium 5dr [17in] (browse deals.) This compact SUV is essentially Ford’s answer to the Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008 and the Fiat 500 X. The compact SUV style vehicles continue to grow in popularity in the UK, as drivers look for the “higher position” on their cars.
We have seen a sharp decline in the demand for small MPV style vehicles – Citroen C4 Picasso, Ford B-Max and Mercedes B Class for example. More older drivers enjoy the comfort of the higher seating position but manageable length/width in a vehicle.
In terms of the car shown, the Titanium offers Hill Hold control, Ford SYNC, electric door mirrors, automatic wipers, LED headlamps, part leather upholstery, keyless entry and a Thatcham Cat.1 alarm plus 17” alloys wheels. For an additional cost (and this is what lets the Ford down) you can add rear parking sensors, Sony Navigation and privacy glass. The competitors, in particular the Captur, offer much more in the way of specification for free. As their target market is the older, and more considered, driver you would have thought that some of these basic features would have been included.
We are currently running a deal (click here) on the petrol derivative, the 1.0 Ecoboost 140 Titanium S. This adds black alloy wheels, a paint black roof and privacy glass but excludes roof rails.
Which model would you choose within the range?