In-depth reviews

Ford EcoSport review - Reliability and safety

Proven Ford mechanicals mean the EcoSport should be a reliable choice, but there could be more safety kit as standard

Overall Auto Express Rating

2.0 out of 5

Reliability and Safety Rating

3.5 out of 5

Price
£23,435 to £25,285
Find your Ford EcoSport
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Advertisement

While the low-grade feel in the cabin might have you worried about the long-term durability of the EcoSport, there should be no questioning the mechanical components.

Ford has been using the EcoBoost petrol engine for a few years across a number of models in its range, and no major issues have been reported in that time. The same is true of the six-speed manual gearbox. 

Reliability is an area where the car’s Brazilian origins should help: the EcoSport was designed from the outset to be rugged and stand up to use on poor-quality South American roads, and developed to be easy to fix if anything does break.

The EcoSport received a solid 88.95 per cent score in our Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, which meant it finished in 26th place on a 75-car list. Ford as a manufacturer ranked 25th out of 29 automakers in the best brands poll.

On the safety front, it’s a case of not bad, but could do better, with the EcoSport awarded a four-star crash test rating by Euro NCAP . Its adult protection score is quite good, at 93 per cent, but a score of 77 per cent for child occupant protection is not great for a family car, and a 55 per cent score in the safety assist category of the test shows just how much safety kit is either left on the options list or simply not available at all.

The Driver Assistance Pack is available for an extra £650 and includes a Driver Impairment Monitor (Driver Alert), Blind Spot Monitoring (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert, Front Parking Sensors and a Auto High Beam function.

Warranty

Ford supplies the EcoSport with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty as standard, and the package includes a year’s paint defect cover and a 12-year anti-perforation guarantee.

As with many rivals, the company also allows buyers to extend the standard warranty: it can be boosted to four years and 80,000 miles, or five years and 100,000 miles for a one-off payment.

Servicing

It’s recommended that the EcoSport is serviced every 12,500 miles or once a year, and Ford offers the option of a three-year fixed-price maintenance package. Buyers who choose this also benefit from an extension to the one-year roadside recovery and assistance package that comes as standard with the car.

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    1.0 EcoBoost 125 Zetec 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • Price
    £18,250

Most Economical

  • Name
    1.0 EcoBoost Zetec 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • Price
    £18,400

Fastest

  • Name
    1.0 EcoBoost 140 ST-Line [X Pack] 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • Price
    £24,975
Executive editor

Paul was employed across automotive agency and manufacturer-side sectors before joining Auto Express in 2020 as our online reviews editor. After a brief sojourn at a national UK newspaper, Paul returned as executive editor where he now works closely with our commercial partners.

Most Popular

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates
Renault 5 EV concept at 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed
News

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates

Renault’s reborn Renault 5 will start from €25,000 in Europe, suggesting a circa-£30k price in the UK. It's due on sale in the summer of 2024. Here's …
1 Dec 2023
New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash
BMW Neue Klasse SUV exclusive image - front
News

New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash

BMW’s first Neue Klasse electric SUV could carry the iX3 nameplate and our exclusive images preview how it might look
30 Nov 2023
New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed
Dacia Duster - front
News

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed

Dacia has taken the wraps off the latest Duster, which arrives with a new look and fresh technology
29 Nov 2023