Do you like compact SUVs? Are you planning to buy one? If either question ends with a yes, then you have to thank the Ford EcoSport for that. Why? The EcoSport is perhaps the reason why sub-4m compact SUVs are so popular in India. How does it do that? It offers a modern design, efficient engines (both the 1.5 DuraTorq and 1.0 EcoBoost turbo engines are powerful yet high on frugality), an attractive price tag (starting from Rs 7.10 lakh) and car-like driving dynamics. However, with Maruti Suzuki jumping into the fray with Vitara Brezza, EcoSport’s sales have taken a plunge. This, despite the fact that Ford has tried to keep the EcoSport relevant by constantly updating it with new features, has not helped matters either. However, Ford was not sitting idly. The Blue Oval company has readied a restyled EcoSport (or a facelift, so to speak) which it revealed in 2016. The new Ford EcoSport made its worldwide debut at the 2017 LA Auto Show. The new model boasts several styling updates. Read on to find more on new Ford EcoSport 2017 India launch date, price and other related details.
Also See – 2016 EcoSport Test Drive Review | EcoSport Prices
New Ford EcoSport 2017 India Launch Date
| Launch Date | October/November 2017 |
Ford India recently launched the Ford EcoSport Platinum which brings some new features to the SUV. The compact SUV also received a minor update back in 2015. However, the Ford EcoSport facelift will be a thoroughly updated car, both in terms of styling and features. The new Ford EcoSport is already on sale in Brazil. Recently, it has been spotted on Indian roads without any camouflage too. All this means is one thing – the new Ford EcoSport 2017 India launch will take place in the festive season on 2017. Expect to see a host of new features in the car, along with all the new styling updates.
Also See – Old vs New – Ford EcoSport
New Ford EcoSport 2017 Price in India
| Minimum Price | Rs 7.40 Lakh |
| Maximum Price | Rs 11.30 Lakh |
The Ford EcoSport currently on sale in India carries a starting price tag of Rs 7.10 lakh (ex-showroom). Since the Ford EcoSport 2017 model will have new features and updated styling, expect the car’s prices to start from Rs 7.40 lakh (ex-showroom). However, Ford may choose to price the base variant lower than our prediction. As far as the top variant of the compact SUV goes, the new look Ford EcoSport will likely carry a price tag of Rs 11.30 lakh (ex-showroom). However, for this price, do consider the features you will be getting in this car (we have the feature list further down in this piece for you). Perhaps, it will be a more value-for-money product than before.
Also See – EcoSport vs Vitara Brezza vs Creta vs Duster
The Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza’s prices start from Rs 7.23 lakh (ex-showroom). As the direct and chief rival of the EcoSport, the Ford car’s starting price is lower than Vitara Brezza. Ford may choose to stick to this pricing strategy with the new look EcoSport too. However, the price advantage may vanish for the new Ford EcoSport 2017 model when it comes to the top trim. Let’s reserve our comments in this regard until the new Ford EcoSport India launch as at that time, we will have concrete info in this regard.
New Ford Ecosport 2017 India Specifications
| Engine | 1.5 L Ti-VCT Petrol | 1.0 L EcoBoost Turbo Petrol | 1.5 L TDCi Diesel |
| Power | 110 bhp | 124 bhp | 99 bhp |
| Torque | 140 Nm | 170 Nm | 205 Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed MT/6-speed Powershift dual-clutch AT | 5-speed MT | 5-speed MT |
The current EcoSport offers a choice of two petrol and one diesel engine. The petrol engines offered on the car are a 1.5-litre Ti-VCT four-cylinder engine and a 1.0-litre EcoBoost three-cylinder turbocharged engine. The only diesel engine on the car is a 1.5 TDCI turbocharged motor. The 1.5-litre petrol makes 110BHP power and 140Nm torque while the 1.0-litre EcoBoost turbo petrol engine makes 124BHP power and 170Nm torque. Both engines come mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. In the case of the 1.5-litre petrol engine, you can have it with a 6-speed Powershift dual-clutch transmission too. The 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine makes 99BHP power and 205Nm torque. It is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission unit. Incidentally, the Ford EcoSport is the only car in its segment to offer a dual-clutch gearbox.
Also See – Ford EcoSport vs Tata Nexon
Expect the new Ford EcoSport to offer the same lineup of engines as the car currently on sale does. Ford may tweak the engines for better throttle response and refine them a bit too. Expect the dual-clutch gearbox’s shift logic to see an improvement as well. There is a chance that Ford EcoSport facelift may feature a three-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine. A curious omission from the Ford EcoSport is that of 4×4. While Ford may give the new look Ford EcoSport such an option, the likelihood of that happening is quite low.
Also See- Ford Figo Sports | Ford Aspire Sports
New Ford Ecosport 2017 India – Mileage
| Ford EcoSport 2017 | Mileage |
| 1.5 Petrol | 16 KMPL |
| 1.0 Turbo Petrol | 19 KMPL |
| 1.5 Diesel | 23 KMPL |
Since there is no change expected in the engine lineup of the new 2017 Ford EcoSport, expect the mileage figures to remain the same. This means the 1.5-litre engine will return 16 KMPL mileage while the 1.0-litre EcoBoost will have a mileage of 19 KMPL. The 1.5-litre turbo diesel will be the most fuel-efficient engine of the lot with a mileage of 23KMPL.
New Ford EcoSport 2017 Interior Images
New Ford EcoSport 2017 India – Rivals
The new 2017 model will continue rivaling the current crop of compact SUVs –
Of all three, the biggest rival of the new Ford EcoSport 2017 model will be the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. However, the Vitara Brezza offers only a diesel engine and no automatic gearbox. So, the new 2017 EcoSport will likely be able to gain some ground in terms of sales.
New Ford Ecosport 2017 India – Interior Design Review
The new Ford EcoSport 2017 model does not feature a redesigned interior. However, even then, its interior will be thoroughly updated. Since the car is already on sale in Brazil, we know what the India-bound car’s interior will likely look like. And boy, does it look nice! The new look EcoSport features a black-beige interior colour scheme. The dashboard and the door trims get this colour treatment. The Brazil-spec EcoSport has beige-coloured leather seats, which may not come to India. Instead, considering our climatic conditions, we are likely to get fabric seats. The current car has a door lock button on the centre console. However, the new 2017 Ford EcoSport has switches to lock and unlock the doors on the each door.
Coming to the dashboard, it has been thoroughly refreshed and we are not talking about just the colours. There is a new three-spoke steering wheel with new button layout, The instrument cluster seems different than before even though it retains the twin-dial treatment that current car’s instrument cluster gets. On the passenger side, there is a dashboard grab handle.
Let’s now come to the new Ford EcoSport 2017 interior’s pièce de résistance – its centre console. The centre console now gets a floating touchscreen infotainment unit, perhaps the SYNC 3. Two rotary knobs and a handful of buttons can be seen below the screen. It is flanked by the engine start/stop button on the left. Below the screen’s controls sit the A/C vents, below which are the HVAC controls. Coupled with brushed aluminium bits that can be spotted on the dashboard and door trims, this car’s interior looks great and thoroughly modern.
New Ford Ecosport 2017 India – Exterior Design Review
When the Ford EcoSport first came out, it had a twin grille and sleek headlamps up front. With the facelift, while the design of the front end is the same, gone is the twin–grille treatment. Instead, now there is one big grille, flanked by slightly bigger headlamps than before. The new headlamps seem to be projector-type units. The fog lamps get triangular treatment and get the swept-back treatment. There is a faux skid plate you can spot on the front of the new Ford EcoSport. While the car still gets dual-tone exterior treatment, up front, the effect is not as pronounced as it is on the current car.
The India-spec car will have a tailgate-mounted spare wheel. Hence, the registration plate housing will move to the bumper of the new 2017 Ford EcoSport. While the chances of having a faux skid plate on the new Ford EcoSport 2017 model seem dashed, the Indian car is likely to get a similar rear-end treatment as the Brazil-spec model.
Since the India-spec model will retain the tail gate mounted spare wheel, the number plate will continue to be mounted on the rear bumper. Which means, the faux silver skid plate seen in the image below will not be a part of the updates on the 2017 Ford EcoSport for India.
New Ford Ecosport 2017 India – Engine and Transmission
Yes, Ford will carry forward the engine lineup of the EcoSport from the outgoing mode to the new model. So, while the engine choices may remain the same, they may offer better responses. Also, this means the 1.5-litre Ti-VCT petrol engine will get the 6-speed PowerShift dual-clutch automatic gearbox option while the rest make do with a 5-speed manual gearbox only. The 1.0-litre EcoBoost turbo petrol will still be the most powerful engine on offer on new Ford EcoSport 2017 model and also the most efficient petrol engine on offer on the car. The 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine will be the most torquey engine of all those available on the 2017 Ford EcoSport. It will also be the most fuel-efficient engine on the new Ford EcoSport.
One of Ford India’s mainstay models, the EcoSport was quite modern when it came out. However, with competition catching up, it no longer feels as modern as it used to. Still, Ford hasn’t given up on the model yet and the new model Ford EcoSport will likely wrestle back the appeal it lost to Maruti Vitara Brezza, gaining back some buyers in the process. It looks like the new Ford EcoSport vs Maruti Viatara Brezza will make for a great comparison.
New Ford Ecosport 2017 India – Features
| Power Windows | Yes (4) with driver side auto up/down |
| Air Conditioner | Automatic Climate Control |
| Steering-mounted Audio Controls | Yes |
| Central Locking | Yes |
| Airbags | Yes (2-6) |
| Audio System | Yes (2-DIN) |
| ABS | Yes |
| Touchscreen Infotainment | Yes (SYNC) |
| Push Button Start | Yes |
| Sunroof | No |
| Adjustable steering | Yes (Tilt and Telescopic adjustment) |
| All Wheel Drive | No |
The feature list mentioned above, of the new Ford EcoSport 2017 model, is not exhaustive but indicative of what the new car will come equipped with. The new model Ford EcoSport is not likely to have either a sunroof or a 4×4 option, but Ford may surprise us here. So, ruling them out completely will not be a nice idea. With 6 airbags on board, the EcoSport is already the safest car in its segment. Expect the new look Ford EcoSport to offer the same level of safety as the car it will replace.
New Ford Ecosport 2017 India – Dimensions
| Dimensions | New Ford EcoSport |
| Length | 3,999 mm |
| Width | 1,765 mm |
| Height | 1,708 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,520 mm |
| Kerb Weight | 1222-1272 KGs |
| Wheel Type and Size | 16” Alloys |
| Boot Space | 346-litres |
The new Ford EcoSport 2017 model will not feature design changes. So, expect its dimensions to remain the same as the outgoing car. This means a length of 3,999mm resulting in a wheelbase of 2,520mm. For comparison’s sake, the Vitara Brezza is just 5mm shorter than EcoSport in length but 20mm shorter, in terms of wheelbase. However, at 1,765mm wide, the EcoSport could offer more elbow room as the Vitarar Brezza is 1,790mm wide. The EcoSport is 1,708mm high, which offers good headroom for tall passengers. The Vitara Brezza measures 1,640mm in height. This means while its driving dynamics may be a bit better than EcoSport (these are SUVs, so driving dynamics will still not be great), there is less room for longitudinally-gifted folks.
In conclusion, we’d say that a lot rides on the new look EcoSport for Ford India. Stay tuned to Car Blog India for all the latest updates on the new Ford EcoSport 2017 model price in India, launch date and other details.
