Ford EcoSport (2014-2023) - Reliability and safety
Proven Ford mechanicals mean the EcoSport should be a reliable choice, but there could be more safety kit as standard
Just so you know, this is an older review of the 2014-2023 Ford EcoSport. If you are interested in information about a used Ford EcoSport, or news about the latest Ford models, please follow the links provided.
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.
Used - available now
2022 Ford
Ecosport
42,584 milesManualPetrol1.0L
Cash £9,500
2022 Ford
Ecosport
24,577 milesManualPetrol1.0L
Cash £12,100
2018 Ford
Ecosport
42,300 milesManualDiesel1.5L
Cash £9,500
2019 Ford
Ecosport
22,443 milesAutomaticPetrol1.0L
Cash £11,400The 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.
What do owners think
Here’s what owners in the 2024 Driver Power survey thought of the Ford EcoSport.
| What they like | What they don't like |
| “The higher driving position gives a good view, but the car doesn’t feel so big that it’s intimidating.” | “The reliability has been okay, but some internal materials are flimsy and they mark very easily.” |
| “For a small car it has ample legroom, even for a taller person, and it’s easy to get in and out of, too.” | “The big pillars block the view in corners, and the dash top is susceptible to glare in bright sunlight.” |
| “Compared with all of the cars I’ve that I’ve owned in the past, my EcoSport is a dream to drive.” | “I have less boot space than I had in my VW Polo, and the space between the back seats and boot lip is poor.” |
| “The navigation is accurate, dependable and very easy to use with its clear images and good narration.” | “The touchscreen is too complicated and the display is too bright when reversing in the dark. It’s distracting.” |
| “It’s reliable, has good fuel economy, does everything I need it to, and all at a sensible price.” | “The navigation is poor. I put in the postcode for a restaurant and it took me to the motorway instead.” |
| “The tailgate is side-hinged, rather than opening upwards, which is so much easier with my disability.” | |
| “My most comfortable car ever. I can make longer journeys without back or leg discomfort, and the seat height is perfect so I can get in and out easily, plus there’s plenty of headroom.” | |
| “The overall running costs are okay, if nothing to shout about. Insurance is reasonably sensible, but the fuel consumption is a bit heavy.” | |
| “Ford got it right with the suspension settings; the EcoSport’s ride is very well judged. The handling is also really engaging, the steering responds immediately and the weighting is perfect, so the car feels agile.” | |
| “Cabin space is more than adequate given the flexibility of the front seats. The boot is a good size, the flush loading lip is handy and the two compartments set into the boot floor boost practicality. For a small car it’s really very spacious.” |
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