Ford EcoSport 2018 pricing and spec confirmed

Ford Australia revealed full details on its facelifted EcoSport this week, with the compact SUV receiving price rises for some variants, new engines and increased equipment levels.

Pricing for the entry-level automatic Ambiente variant remains static at $22,790 before on-road costs, with a new six-speed torque-convertor transmission now opening the range in place of the previously available five-speed manual gearbox, that was $2000 cheaper.

The mid-spec automatic Trend now checks in at $24,490, which is $200 dearer than before, while the flagship Titanium is priced from $28,990, up $1200.

EcoSport sales have taken a considerable dive this year, with 1243 units sold to the end of November.

Furthermore, the Trend has also dropped its less expensive manual option while the Titanium retains its two-pedal set-up, meaning the EcoSport line-up is now an automatic-only proposition.

As previously reported, the Ambiente is now motivated by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 90kW of power at 6500rpm and 150Nm of torque at 4500rpm, up 8kW and 10Nm over its four-pot predecessor.

Alternatively, the Trend and Titanium use a 1.0-litre 'EcoBoost' turbocharged three-cylinder petrol unit that develops 92kW at 6000rpm and 170Nm from 1500rpm to 4500rpm – equalling the outputs of the former manual Trend.

Both powerplants are mated to the aforementioned new automatic transmission, with drive sent to the front wheels.

Claimed fuel consumption on the combined cycle test is 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres for the atmo powertrain, while its turbo siblings manage 6.7L/100km. Carbon dioxide emissions have been tested at 159 and 153 grams per kilometre respectively.

Standard equipment in the Ambiente includes 16-inch steel wheels, a gloss-black grille, side mirrors and door handles; cloth seat trim, power windows, a 6.5-inch 'Sync3' touchscreen multimedia system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, digital radio, a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a six-speaker sound system, seven airbags, cruise control, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors and emergency assistance.

Jumping up to the Trend adds 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, a silver grille, body-colour side mirrors and door handles, black roof rails, a leather steering wheel, an 8.0-inch 'Sync3' touchscreen multimedia system, voice control, a seven-speaker sound system and satellite navigation with live traffic.

The mid-spec automatic Trend now checks in at ,490, which is 0 dearer than before.

The Titanium also features paddle shifters, 17-inch alloy wheels, a chrome grille, dusk-sensing HID headlights, daytime running lights, power-folding side mirrors with puddle lights, front and rear bumper inserts, silver roof rails, power sunroof, leather-accented seat trim, keyless entry and start, climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, front parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and rain-sensing wipers.

The updated EcoSport still comes with a tailgate-mounted full-size spare wheel with cover, but this will be removed during a model year upgrade scheduled for the middle of 2018.

Six paints colours are available, including three new additions named 'Lightning Blue', 'Canyon Ridge' and no-cost 'Diamond White', while carry-over options extend to 'Moondust Silver', 'Smoke' and 'Shadow Black'.

EcoSport sales have taken a considerable dive this year, with 1243 units sold to the end of November, representing a 26.4 per cent decrease over the 1690 examples that found homes during the same period in 2016.

The model currently occupies 10th position in the sub-$40,000 compact-SUV segment, behind the sales-leading Mitsubishi ASX (17,275 registrations), Mazda CX-3 (16,204), Nissan Qashqai (12,616), Honda HR-V (10,783), Subaru XV (9065) and four others.

Did Ford make the right decision to drop the manual option from the EcoSport range? Tell us what you think in the comments below.