Hi friend
So far I have driven 350 KM and below are the points i want to share with you guys:
Look :
I think no need to say any word. A real attention grabber. No second thought. Yesterday during my short highway trip to Thanjavur, people driving scorpio, ertiga, even duster were staring at me car .
Steering & driving position:
Steering is nice to hold and operate. Really smooth for city use. No complaint. And it weighs up nicely as speed increases. Yes it is not like the new fiesta which is direct and gives awesome feedback. Fiesta steering is like point and shoot. But I am not saying that Ecosport steering is bad. It is really good for city as well as highway. You will not lose confidence while doing highway speed. I have extensively driven my friends I20. Ecosport steering is far better than I20.
If I compare my earlier car Manza’s steering with ES, it will be like comparing apple with orange. Manza needs constant attention after 80 kmph and its steering becomes super light at 100kmph. Whereas ecosports steering weighs up nicely with speed.
Ride and handling:
Now this is one area which surprises me whenever I drive my ecosport. Most of the people complain about stiff suspension of ecosport. Initially I was also sceptical about the ride quality of this car. But I must say Ecosport ride quality is superb at highway speed (better than my earlier car Manza). Yesterday I made a short trip to Thanjavur Temple and ride on the highway was simply awesome. No complaint from back sitters also (my wife and my mom). In city area if you are in hurry you can feel some bumps. Otherwise it is ok for city speed. Handling is really good. You will not feel that you are driving a high CG compact SUV. But remember don’t make any mistake to take sharp turns at high speed. This car does not like high speed sharp turns. Yesterday when I tried to take a turn at 50 – 55 kmph which I used to take at @ 50 in my Manza, made the car little nervous. So beware, don’t treat this car like low slung sedan / hatch. Just stay in this car’s limit and you will be awarded with a smooth and comfortable ride.
Seating & space:
This car is strictly 4 seater. No doubt about this. If somebody says that 3 persons can sit at back seat I will not believe. Because even my 7 year old daughter needs to squeeze herself between my mom and wife at the back seat. And my mom and wife are average built. So if anyone is planning to use this car for 5 adults please rethink.
Front seats are really good and have good supports but smaller than Manza’s seat. Rear seat reclining is good and leg room is surprisingly good for this compact car.
YES I miss my Manza’s space.
Headlamp
This is one area where I miss Manza’s headlamps. Upgrading the headlamps is must. Ecosport headlights are sufficient only if you are driving alone on the highway. If other vehicles come from opposite or rear it becomes really difficult to see the front of the car.
Milage:
So far I have driven around 330 km, roughly I did some calculation and it seems I am getting 20+ kmpl with 100% AC on. Superb figure for a car like this.
AC
Ac is really good. Better than my Manza. Now my wife is complaining that it cools too much
Sorry I dint not take pictures. Will try to upload
ASAP.
BTW, i have one doubt. Ford says water wadding capability of ecosport is 550 mm. whereas manual says "don’t drive the car through water if water level is higher than the bottom of the bumper". And i am damn sure ground to bumper will be hardly 220 to 230 mm. A bit confused.