An escape in the Ford EcoSport

MANILA, Philippines - It was one of those weekends when I wanted “me time.” So I took the Ford EcoSport for a drive by my lonesome. 

Now that Ford has entered the small SUV market with the Ford EcoSport, I was more than able to take this really cool SUV for a spin. Also, it had been some time since I was able to drive a Ford — so the EcoSport was more than what the doctor recommended for improving my mood.

The Ford EcoSport is a trendy, city-centered SUV, whose positioning seems poised to make a big dent in the fastest-growing sector of the sports utility market.

This latest addition, with its high-riding position, competitive entry price and striking looks, offers a further choice for those who want a small car and a crossover experience. But it is Ford’s EcoSport Titanium 1.5L AT that had me at hello.  The compact, feisty vehicle certainly lives up to its billing.

LOOKS AND MORE

If there are two things in my life that lift my mood, they are my dogs and a good gadget that needs to be tested — be that a car or any other piece of electronics I’m privileged enough to play with.  The Ford EcoSport more than did the job that weekend I was able to drive it.

For starters, the orange-rust hue of the vehicle made me smile. It looked like a toy SUV as far as I could see — and I love toys! Of course, the style department quite obviously allowed some freedom with the EcoSport, and the trendy interior is funky enough to appeal to its target market.

The console is typical for a Ford, slightly angled towards the driver, which makes driving it much more comfortable. The raised ride affords excellent visibility, making me feel like I was driving a much bigger vehicle.

The leather seats with their modern contrast stitching are fairly comfortable, made more so by the extra lumbar support.  The EcoSport is tall but narrow  — great for headroom but that might be more because I am a small driver.  The steering wheel is nice to the touch, with my fingers finding a good resting spot along the horizontal bar, which fits comfortably in the palm of my hand.

LET THE DRIVE BEGIN

The EcoSport I test-drove was equipped with 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine in auto. As soon as I started the engine and drove the SUV out of the garage, my mood started to lift.  The sweet little engine of the Ford EcoSport is really fun to drive, especially around town, for which it is designed. With 170Nm of torque from 1400rpm, it manages to negotiate most challenges easily.

I had originally planned to take the EcoSport for a drive out of town, but I changed my mind — it being a Sunday and the roads open and clear.  After all, the EcoSport is poised and confident, and makes a good turning circle in small parking spaces. So I wanted to hit a few parking spaces and see just how well the EcoSport did at parking in tiny slots.

I was particularly amazed at the EcoSport’s chunky feeling because it assured me that I had good leverage against the bigger and bulkier buses and jeeps on the road that quiet Sunday. Inside the EcoSport it was quiet — I did not hear the engine and that was good because it allowed me a relaxed driving experience — with little road noise penetrating the cabin.

I must add that when I put this small beauty to the test on EDSA, I was not disappointed as it picked up when needed, finding the speed to hold its own on the open road. 

BREAK TIME

I stopped at the CCP Complex and decided to give the EcoSport one last look. The wide door openings make it easy to enter and exit, and the good seating position is, of course, an advantage. The EcoSport has been fashioned to look more like the Ford Territory, a fact noticeable not only in its stance but also in the rounded nose and pronounced grille. These features combine nicely with snazzy lighting and chrome highlights for a small SUV that looks fun and funky.

I opted to sit in the EcoSport and take in the cooler breeze near Manila Bay. The day was half over and I was beginning to feel better already. I don’t know what it is about cars and driving them that lifts my mood.  Perhaps it is because I can drive around Metro Manila aimlessly (minus the traffic) and take stock of my feelings and thoughts — without actually having to go anywhere. Or maybe it is just being able to sit and not really think about much — just go with the flow of the way the EcoSport moves. Whatever it is, car drives clear the air for me  — and allow me to see life for what it is really worth.