English
It is no surprise that Ford's upcoming urban compact SUV with its quirky looks and interesting features has successfully managed to create a lot of buzz in the SUV-frenzied Indian market. That is exactly why, we felt compelled to pull up a comparo between the Ford EcoSport and its competitors, even before the former's formal debut. It is worth noting that given the intensity of anticipation that has generated over the past few months revolving the EcoSport, the urban SUV won't just target one segment of buyers.
The EcoSport then, will not only try to lure potential buyers who are planning to invest in an SUV, but also the kind of buyers who want an SUV – but without having to do away with the practicality, ease and features a sedan usually offers. That brings us to the C-Segment sedans, which we reckon will be one of EcoSport's strong targets. Below are some of the models we think will find themselves within the firing range of the Ford EcoSport.
1. Volkswagen Vento:
One of the highest selling models in VW India's line up, the Vento has been a strong player in the market. It's built well, good to drive, comes in 1.6-litre petrol and diesel options and proves to be a direct competitor to the Ecosport. Working in favour of the Vento would be the fact that it has a more conventional design and it will come down to your decision whether you want a sedan or a compact SUV. Ford has a better after-sales reputation, which can work against the Vento, when compared to the Ecosport. Variant to variant comparison can be possible once Ford releases the prices of the compact SUV.
2. Fiat Linea:
Linea might be due for an update but the current car looks good, drives as beautifully and is frugal too. The EcoSport too claims to tick the same boxes, except the 'beautiful' part as that's very subjective. Fiat has a 1.4-litre petrol and a 1.3-litre diesel engines on offer at the moment, things will become more interesting once Fiat relaunches the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol, which could go neck to neck with Ford's 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine. FIAT Linea, unlike the Ford here doesn't get an automatic gearbox.
3. Tata Indigo Manza Club Class:
The more luxurious version of Tata Indigo Manza, the feature-laden Manza Club Class is spacious! With engine options including a 93PS version of Fiat Multijet and a 90PS petrol, the Club Class can cater to everyone's needs. The price to features ratio is quite decent and it's not touted as a driver's car because it isn't one. It's more about wafting comfortably rather than attacking corners at mind-numbing speeds, but which of the two feats get added to Ecosport's long list of achievements is yet to be seen.
4. Renault Scala:
Renault-Nissan's entry into the Indian market brought badge-engineered products like the Sunny and Scala. Based on the same platform, not much is different among the two cars. Powered by either a 1.5-litre petrol or 1.5-litre diesel, the car boast of great interior space (like the Manza), frugality and a large boot. Driving dynamics are better than that of the Manza but if Ford brings the much talked about car-like handling of the EcoSport to the table (which we'll talk about soon), things look great for the SUV.
5. Maruti Suzuki SX4
Now if a minimal design change makes the SX4 look interesting to you, then the SX4 Facelift can prove to be a competitor to the Ford EcoSport. Apart from the 1.6-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel (Fiat sourced) powertrain, the SX4 comes with an option to run on CNG too. The SX4 facelift gets updated interiors too and with Maruti's wide service network, the SX4 does seem to be a good option, but rising competition and the old design never lets SX4 climb the sales charts. And the inclusion of the Ford Ecosport won't help either.
6. Hyundai Verna Fluidic:
Now this is Ford's tough competitor. Like the EcoSport, the Hyundai Verna too looks radical. It also a great car to be in, the interior quality is good and the feature list too, is quite decent. The car's available in four different engine options (two diesels and two petrol engines) and unlike the competition, you can get the automatic transmission Verna in diesel too.
7. Honda City
Honda might have lost a big chunk of its market share because of the lack of a diesel engine in its lineup but as a petrol car, the Honda City is still a wonderful car to own. The engine's as refined as any other petrol Honda, the car's responsive and even with the added height in the 2012 model, it still has very decent dynamics. It again comes down to your decision of choosing a similarly sized SUV over a sedan.
8. Ford Fiesta
Talking about choosing a similarly sized SUV over a sedan, here's the car the Ecosport shares a lot with. The platform, the engine options (except the 1-litre EcoBoost, which is exclusive to the SUV here), switches, knobs etc. Now, unlike the earlier generation Fiesta, the new Ford Fiesta car hasn't been as successful. And when Ford introduces the EcoSport, there's a very slim chance that people will consider the Fiesta too. Because if they had to, they would have bought it already. But there's no denying that the Fiesta is a very capable car.
So there you have it, the upcoming EcoSport against the competition. The EcoSport, although in a completely new segment, has been influential since the time Ford talked about it. And after making us all wait for so long, it's about time Ford launches the SUV in the country. Pricing the Fiesta higher than expected proved to be an unfortunate move for the company. We just pray that Ford has learnt from its mistake.
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest Car Features News on India.com.
