Ford’s second-generation EcoSport, its smallest SUV, has undergone some significant changes since first introduced in 2014. The overall shape is the same, but Ford has tidied up some of the exterior design features and modernised the interior styling to match other cars in the range.

Ford believes that the SUV market is the one that’s going to continue to grow. They expect that SUVs will account for more than 30% of all new car sales by just 2020. And that’s where the refreshed EcoSport is expected to sell in large numbers.

Ford offers the EcoSport compact SUV with two engine options; either an entry level 1.0 litre EcoBoost three-cylinder petrol engine or a 1.5 litre turbo-diesel engine. A further more powerful and lower emission version of this diesel engine is on the way.

Irish Farmers Journal drove the entry level petrol powered EcoSport ST as many of the car companies are pushing the petrol option over diesel in their attempts to promote what they consider to be cleaner driving. This car also has extra features over the Titanium versions which are mainly to do with styling, rather than substance. This new generation EcoSport has a more refined interior with easier to use controls and soft-touch materials. The new centre console, now almost common across the Ford range, is designed for easier operation with fewer buttons.

This console houses Ford’s impressive SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system which is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and run across an eight-inch colour touchscreen. This can be operated with pinch and swipe gestures. The system is easy to set up and very easy and safe to use.

Ford also claims that the seats have been improved, while we still consider them a little short. The side-opening boot door is retained, this time without the spare wheel, which is not included in the car at all. There is a new height adjustable and stronger boot floor and the luggage capacity is increased to 334 litres.

Ford has also improved the safety package in the new EcoSport adding a new driver knee airbag to the driver and passenger front airbags. The car has new side airbags for extra thorax protection and new curtain airbags for side-impact protection.

Cruise control with Adjustable Speed Limiter is now available for the EcoSport to help drivers keep within speed limits. A rear-view camera is also included to make parking easier and safer.

On the road

Out on the road the small and smooth petrol engine is impressive, but lower in torque than its diesel counterpart. With a power rating of 125bhp, this car is more powerful than some similar entry level petrol SUVs such as the Hyundai Kona, Kia Stonic, Renault Captur or Seat Arona. While there is little difference in its acceleration performance, the six-speed gearbox EcoSport is marginally ahead.

During the test, the EcoSport achieved a fuel range of over 700km on a full 50-litre fuel tank, which gave an economy figure that was about 30% higher than the officially rated figure of 19km/litre (5.2/100km or 54mpg). That’s what makes me wonder about the much talked about swing away from diesel engines.

Some of the new generation diesel motors are as clean as petrol engines. Then consider the 25% better fuel economy, it means that with diesel cars and SUVs you are in fact burning less fuel and emitting less CO2 over the annual use of the car.

This comes into focus equally with smaller SUVs such as the Ford EcoSport, where there is 25% better economy with the 1.5 litre turbo-diesel version compared with the 1.0 litre petrol model, using the official economy figures. When you do the numbers over a 15,000km annual use level, you’ll find that the EcoSport will use 167 litres less fuel if you take the diesel option.

At current diesel v petrol prices that equates to an annual fuel cost saving of about €310 if you take the diesel choice and depending on pump prices. And there is also significantly less CO2 emitted to the environment as you are simply burning less fuel.

The entry price for the Ford EcoSport is €23,495 or £20,095 in Northern Ireland which is more expensive than all of the competition mentioned above. A €1,000 price jump gives you the more economical diesel option, which should give you a running cost saving of over €300 per annum. So over three years, there is virtually no cost difference and the value starts to add up after that.

Ford EcoSport ST 1.0T EcoBoost – specifications

Engine 1.0 litre

Engine power 125hp

Engine Torque 170Nm

0 – 100km/hr 12.7 seconds

Economy 19km/litre (5.2/100km or 54mpg)

Fuel Tank Capacity 50 litres

CO2 emissions 119g/km

Road Tax Band A4 €200

Main Service 20,000km/12 months

Euro NCAP Rating 4 star (2013)

Towing rating 1100kgs