2024 Ford EcoSport Review: Performance, Comfort, Practicality, and Price

The 2024 Ford EcoSport: Decent Updates, But Still Playing Catch-Up
Let’s cut to the chase: The EcoSport feels like your gran’s old Fiesta wearing platform shoes. It’s fine, but in a sea of sharp subcompact SUVs, it’s waving from the shore while others surf. Here’s what you actually need to know:

Looks & Build: Solid from 20 Feet

• The Good: That upright SUV stance? Still legit. You sit high, see far – great for city driving.

• The Bad: Get close and… oof. Cabin plastics feel like a 2012 rental car. Rattles? Yep, especially on bumpy roads.

• The Competition: A Skoda Kamiq or SEAT Arona feels like a luxury hotel next to this. Ford’s updates are lipstick on a decade-old design.

Driving: Commuter-Friendly, Not Thrilling

• Engines: The 1.0L turbo petrols (123hp/138hp) are peppy enough for traffic. Think “zippy grocery-getter,” not “canyon carver.”

• Handling: Steering’s vague. Corners? Body roll city – especially in the “sporty” ST-Line (lol).

• Ride: Harsh over potholes. Engine noise drones. Clutch is heavy. Vibrations buzz through the pedals.

• Reality Check: It drives like a tall Fiesta – but without the Fiesta’s fun factor.

Interior: Halfway There (But Why Stop?)

• Tech Wins: 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto? Check. Sync system works fine.

• Space Fails:

  • Rear Seats: Knees? Meet front seatbacks. Tall friends will hate you.

  • Boot: That stupid side-hinged door needs 3ft of clearance to open. Cargo space? Meh (258L seats up).

  • Storage: Decent cubbies, but the 60:40 split seats don’t fold flat – leaving a useless step.

• Comfort: Front seats = okay. Everything else = budget-car blues.

Trims & Costs: Paying More for Less

• Fuel Economy: ~45.6 mpg – respectable, but a Kia Stonic does better.

• Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles – Kia and Renault offer longer.

• Reliability: Ranked 27th out of 32 brands (What Car? 2022). Yikes.

Safety: Not Last Place, But Close

• Standard Kit: Auto emergency braking (thank god).

• Optional: Blind-spot monitoring (pay extra).

• Euro NCAP? Not tested since 2017. Thatcham gave it 4/5 for break-in resistance (but not theft deterrence).

Who Should Actually Buy This?

You:

• Need a cheap(ish) Ford SUV right now.

• Only carry 2 people + a duffel bag.

• Value a high driving position over everything.

Skip If You:

• Want modern interior quality.

• Need rear legroom or a practical boot.

• Care about driving dynamics.

• Expect top-tier reliability.

The Brutal Truth

Ford’s polished the EcoSport’s rough edges, but it’s still fundamentally outdated. For the same cash, a Kia Stonic, Hyundai Kona, or even Ford’s own Puma offers more space, better tech, and way less compromise.

The Only Reason to Buy: You’re a Ford loyalist who must have an SUV-shaped Fiesta. Otherwise? Test drive the competition. This dinosaur’s heading for extinction.