The 2018 Ford EcoSport now gets an EcoBoost upgrade and more features

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August 30, 2018

The Ford EcoSport may be one of Ford Philippines’ best-selling models. Yet this doesn’t mean the Blue Oval brand is resting on its laurels. On the contrary, it has just given the four-year old model a much-needed refresh.

The changes to the 2018 Ford EcoSport begin up front with bigger headlights and LED daytime running lights. These flank a larger grille and are complemented by a restyled bumper with new foglight housings. Out back, the spare tire carrier also gets some tweaks as does the rear bumper. Things are finished off by a new set of alloy rims.

As with the exterior, the cabin likewise receives a few updates. These come in the form of a new center console and center stack with revised HVAC controls and a tablet-style infotainment system sitting atop the dash. This houses the new SYNC3 infotainment system that now features Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and more connectivity options for mobile devices.

Apart from these upgrades, the EcoSport also gets new seats and available leather upholstery. Higher-spec variants come with goodies like power sunroof, automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights and auto-dimming rearview mirror, just to name a few.

But probably the biggest changes to the EcoSport come from under the hood. The Ford subcompact crossover now comes with either a 1.5-liter Ti-VCT-equipped four-cylinder motor that puts out 123hp and 150Nm of torque, or the vaunted 1.0-liter three-cylinder with Ford’s award-winning EcoBoost technology. This lump puts out 125 horses and 170Nm of twist.

Ford also deleted the PowerShift transmission from the lineup and now put in a 6-speed SelectShift automatic. This one is available on higher end grades while base models can be had with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Apart from the usual airbags and ABS with EBED and brake assist, the new EcoSport also gets Traction control and electronic stability control. These help keep it shiny side-up and out of harm’s way.

And just how much will one be paying for all these new features?

1.5 Ambiente M/T: Php 918,000

1.5 Trend M/T: Php 968,000

1.5 Trend A/T: Php 1,028,000

1.0 EcoBoost Titanium A/T: Php 1,168,000

Photos by: Paolo Lesaca

About the Author

Mr. Gerard Jude Castillo
Gerard has been a self-confessed car nut ever since he was a little boy. As a grown-up, he indulges in his passion by collecting toy cars (which he started since childhood) and reading up on the latest cars out there.  As Associate Editor, he will ensure that you get your fill of the latest cars in the market, as well as a load of automotive features.