2018 Ford EcoSport SUV gets a REFINEMENT upgrade to make it more appealing

The Ford EcoSport – Ford’s ‘baby’ SUV – gets an update for 2018 with an emphasis on more refinement, and there’s a new 1.5 litre diesel option too.

There’s something a little ‘Third World’ about the Ford EcoSport, with buyers not exactly falling in love with a car which should be right on the Zeitgeist.

But Ford are aiming to fix that – and add to the EcoSport’s appeal – by lacing the new 2018 EcoSport with a decent veneer of sophistication to make it more appealing to UK anD European buyers.

The EcoSport can now be had with Ford’s All Wheel Drive technology along with a new 1.5 litre EcoBlue diesel engine with 124bhp, along with 138bhp, 124bhp and – from mid-2018 – a 99bhp 1.0 litre EcoBoost.

Cosmetic changes include a big new trapezoidal grille, HID headlights, LED running lights, new back bumper and tail lights and new 17″ and 18″ alloys.

Inside there’s more soft-touch materials, a new centre console, new seats and a choice of interior lighting colours.

There’s also a new EcoSport ST-Line with sporty styling including butch bumpers and skirts, 17″ Dark Tarnish alloys, partial leather, flat-bottomed steering wheel and stainless steel pedals.

Technology includes Ford’s SYNC 3 including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Cruise, Rear View Camera, Auto lights and wipers, 4.2″ digital instrument cluster, heated power fold mirrors, Blind Spot and more (although not everything is standard fit across the EcoSport range.

Ford hasn’t released prices for the new EcoSport, but as they’re keen to make it mainstream and competitive we can’t see them pushing prices up much, if at all.