Should you buy a used Ford EcoSport in 2023?

India is a tough market to survive and thrive in. Ford came face-to-face with this truth in 2021 as it wound up all domestic production of its excellently packaged cars, citing low demand and low capacity utilization. Despite the exit, Ford cars are a common sight on Indian roads, and many of them are on the used car market at attractive prices. The Ford EcoSport was – and remains – a popular car because of the great package of this compact SUV. The used car market now becomes the only way you can own this gem, so the question that naturally arises is: should buy a used Ford EcoSport in 2022?

Table of Contents

• Why you should consider the Ford EcoSport
• How old should your pre-owned Ford EcoSport be?
• What to look out for when you buy a used Ford EcoSport?
• How much should a pre-owned Ford EcoSport cost?
• Is a used Ford EcoSport worth buying in 2022?
• FAQ About Ford EcoSport

Why you should consider the Ford EcoSport

While the Ford EcoSport was one of the most loved compact SUV in terms of overall sales, now that the company has decided to leave, the EcoSport seems all set to rule the pre-owned market. This is the car that defined the compact SUV segment and, till 2021, remained one of the most balanced options you could choose from if you were considering a new compact SUV. Now that your choices are limited to the used car market, here are the reasons why you should consider buying and owning a Ford EcoSport.

Iconic Looks

A lot of compact SUVs tend to look like large hatchbacks with ground clearance. The Ford EcoSport bucks this trend and features the muscular bulges, rear-mounted spare wheel, and an appropriately powerful engine to truly earn the compact SUV tag. Even the initially launched EcoSport can still give a tough competition to modern day compact SUVs such as the Vitara Brezza with its aggressive front fascia and a dominating road presence. The latest facelift of the EcoSport impresses further with its bold yet elegant looks and should stay fresh for years to come.

Engines that Impress

The best feature on the Ford EcoSport is the range of power-packed and efficient engines on offer. The EcoSport was launched with the performance-focused 1.0-litre EcoBoost turbo-petrol engine, but it was the 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines that stole the show. Both these engines received updates over the years but always maintained the ideal balance of power and torque to make driving a breeze. The latest iterations produce 120 PS of power and 150 Nm of torque on the petrol and 100 PS and 250 Nm of torque on the diesel. In terms of transmission the entire history of EcoSport offers both manual as well as automatic transmissions with newer versions getting a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Safer Drive, Every Time

In addition to its much-celebrated engines, the EcoSport is also equipped with an impressive safety kit, even by today’s standards. Ford was one of the very few brands that offered up to 6 airbags across its entire passenger vehicle range. Dual airbags and ABS with EBD are standard on all Ford EcoSport variants and the Titanium+ variant was equipped with 6 airbags. With the used EcoSport Titanium and Titanium+ variant being one of the best-selling variants of this compact SUV, it is possible for you to have a higher safety standard than what even newer SUVs offer.

Smart Features

Over the years, Ford kept iterating the EcoSport, offering the latest features inside and outside the car. These features elevate any used Ford EcoSport over its competitors, with value for money features such as automatic climate control, multifunction steering wheel, and electrically adjustable ORVMs offered as staples even on early models. Newer models were also equipped with 8-inch floating touchscreen display, electric sunroof, and cruise control, making a used EcoSport an extremely feature-packed car to buy.

How old should your pre-owned Ford EcoSport be?

While there is no denying the quality of the Ford EcoSport, age is still a factor you need to consider when buying this used compact SUV. EcoSport models produced between January 2013 to September 2014 should be checked for airbag replacements under recall by Ford. If you are looking for a more exciting driving experience, consider EcoSport models from 2014 to 2017 as these feature the performance-oriented EcoBoost engine. Ford’s sudden exit has meant that many new, low mileage used EcoSport cars have made their way to the used car market. These EcoSport models are usually the facelift variants produced between 2018-2021, and should offer all the latest features you expect in a modern compact SUV.

What to look out for when you buy a used Ford EcoSport?

The Ford EcoSport is a durable car to own but there are still a few things you need to keep in mind when considering buying a used EcoSport for your family.

Check the TCM

The Transmission Control Module (TCM) is part of the EcoSport’s automatic transmission, which connects to the throttle and controls the gear shifts. The EcoSport’s TCM is sensitive to water damage. If you live in areas that experience heavy rainfall and waterlogging, this is a component to check. A “Transmission Error” on the MID is one of the indicators for a faulty TCM.

Evaluate the Underbody

Even though the Ford EcoSport falls in the compact SUV segment, it isn’t uncommon for people to assume that it is equipped with rugged off-road prowess. Despite the ground clearance of 200mm, there is always a chance the car was taken through conditions that go way beyond its capabilities. While it does come with a skid plate on the front, it is still made of plastic which can only protect so much. So be sure to examine the underbody of the used Ford EcoSport you intend to buy for signs of wear.

Inspect the Rear Suspension

The initial batches of the Ford EcoSport produced between November 2013 to April 2014 were part of a recall from Ford to resolve an issue with the twist beam of the rear suspension. The rear twist beam of these EcoSport cars was improperly tightened, making the rear pivot bolt vulnerable to breakage. Since the twist beam of the rear suspension has a crucial role in the overall handling dynamics, make sure to ask the owner (if buying directly from the owner) whether the issue was fixed on the car, and thoroughly test drive any pre-owned EcoSport manufactured in these years. If you feel that the vehicle is resisting the turn or over steering, the rear twist beam could very well be the culprit.

Check the Electrical Components

Irrespective of which model you are eyeing, a few things that you should definitely look out for are electrical issues and the AC health on the Ford EcoSport. Since most of the tech oriented features are electrically operated, checking for electric faults can save you from repair troubles. To do that, make sure to check if the power windows, stereo, ORVM and AC buttons work well. Additionally, firing up the AC blower to maximum and testing both hot and cool modes is a crucial step that can give you an insight about the AC health.

How much should a pre-owned Ford EcoSport cost?

The Ford EcoSport is an extremely value-oriented product, especially as a used car. Used EcoSport models from 2013 to 2015 can be found for under ₹5 lakhs while 2015 and later EcoSport models are available for under ₹8 lakhs.

Is a used Ford EcoSport worth buying in 2022?

With Ford leaving India, a question that any prospective owner will have is whether Ford cars will still receive service and spare part support. At present, Ford has stated that owners will continue to receive maintenance support from Ford authorized service centres. From Ford’s perspective, owning a Ford car should not pose an issue with regard to maintenance as government regulation mandates manufacturer support for all discontinued models for up to 10 years.

One point to note here is that Ford’s exit has also led to the shutdown of many Ford dealerships and service centres in smaller cities. This should be a consideration in your buying decision as it is more likely that a Tier-1 city will have a Ford service centre but a Tier-2 or Tier-3 city may not. Before buying any Ford car, look for a Ford service centre in or close to your city.

With maintenance taken care of, the EcoSport’s spacious, feature-rich and roomy interiors would make every ride you take a beautiful memory. The fact that the EcoSport comes with ample safety features that can compete with modern day compact SUVs make this SUV an enticing option to consider. The Ford EcoSport delivers value in every department, and if you come across a used EcoSport you like, it will be worth owning one.

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FAQ About Ford EcoSport

Does the Ford EcoSport have a sunroof?

The Ford EcoSport is equipped with a sunroof on the Titanium+ and Sports variants.

Which is the best Ford EcoSport variant?

The Ford EcoSport Titanium+ is the best variant to buy. This variant not only comes full loaded with features like sunroof and 6 airbags, it is also the only variant that gets a 6-speed AT automatic transmission.

What is the mileage of the Ford EcoSport?

The 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines of the Ford EcoSport are powerful and fuel efficient as well, providing up to 15.9 kmpl for the petrol variant and 21.7 for the diesel variant.

Is the Ford EcoSport a reliable car?

The Ford EcoSport is a very reliable compact SUV with affordable spare parts and low maintenance costs.

What is the price of used Ford EcoSport?

Ford EcoSport are very affordable used compact SUVs to buy, starting at ₹3.5 lakhs for early models.