You know that downsizing is reaching its potential when a three-cylinder makes more power than a four-cylinder, and revs about in a more refined manner without ringing at the redline incessantly.
That’s exactly the case with Ford’s three-pot Ecosport Ecoboost, and right off the bat, as good as it is, its delicate little innards and turbocharging means it’s simply not suitable for the extreme Middle East climate.
In the UAE, we get Indian-made Ecosports priced at Dh80,000 fully loaded, and they groan around with 1.5-litre four-pots making just 108bhp. This new European-market three-cylinder betters that by 15 horsepower despite doing with 500cc less.
The Ecosport is essentially a Fiesta-sized chassis with a taller ride height, old-school off-roader styling and a serious emphasis on practicality. It was initially designed for South American markets, but as part of Ford’s efforts to sell the same models in every market, well, there it is in the furthest reaches of Asia, Africa, Australia and, of course, the Middle East. Just not in Ecoboost trim unfortunately.
The ‘small SUV’ corner of the market is becoming ever more crowded, with just about everyone getting in on the action, most recently Chevrolet with its Trax and soon enough Hyundai with its upcoming ix25. Even Fiat is bringing the 500L Trekking to our shores this December, powered by the company’s 165bhp 1.4-litre turbo four. Ford is hoping that a little bit of retro charm and space-maximising features will win the day.
You’ll probably notice how much bigger the Ecosport looks than it actually is. It’s partly down to clever penmanship from the designers and partly because of that chunky spare wheel housing on the back. It feels slightly out of its time; a notion enhanced by the horizontally opening boot. It’s a good-looking, chunky and mildly imposing piece of work that shares much of its make-up with the Fiesta. That can hardly do its image any harm, now, can it?
If the Ecosport was playing Practicality Poker it would be holding a royal flush. Ford has downsized without sacrificing usefulness, which is brilliant to see.
The boot is tall and great for piling plenty of stuff in behind the rear seats, the cabin is spacious enough for five at a pinch and there’s more headroom than you could possibly need.
But it’s the little things that make the difference, such as a huge air-conditioned glove box and being able to fit large drinks bottles into special recesses in the front doors.
The sliding tray beneath the front passenger seat is just one of 20 clever storage solutions employed by the Ecosport.
And as for that 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine, it’s made it into an SUV-type Ford vehicle for the first time and it’s the pick of the bunch. (Elsewhere in Asia buyers can also choose a 1.5-litre diesel.)
Beneath its thrummy character there’s enough muscle to push the Ecosport along at a modest rate, and while it’s not as nippy as the Fiesta it has plenty of pace around town.
Some of the plastic trim panels are perhaps a bit below par on the doors and dashboard, betraying the car’s origins outside of notoriously fussy Europe, and there are a couple of creaks and rattles to note on this high-mileage test car.
What’s particularly nice, though, is how undemanding it is where it matters most; in an urban setting. The controls are nicely weighted, the light steering helps with parking in tight spaces, and despite appearances it’s as wieldy as a supermini.
Just a shame it’s forbidden fruit, though.
