Extreme Sport

Based on the Fiesta,the dramatic styling of the EcoSport remains faithful to the concept car shown at motor shows earlier this year. Its loud,extrovert design looks stunning. A massive,open-mouthed grille gives it a different feel from the Fiesta,and the high bonnet line and a heavily raked windscreen enhance the radical image. Narrow headlights add further aggression,while the flared wheel arches and rising beltline give the car a well-planted look. Ford has done a good job with the rear,too. The C-pillars and wraparound rear screen meld well,and the rear door-mounted spare wheel is well-integrated,helping the EcoSport remain under four metres.

Stepping into the high cabin is quite easy and theres plenty of legroom for tall drivers. Much of the cars interior is similar to the latest Fiesta,although it does feel slightly more airy in the front. The rear doors are a little on the small side,so ingress isnt quite as easy as it is into the front,but rear-seat passengers have sufficient legroom to be comfortable. Theres plenty of space for your feet under the front seats and while the seating position is a bit upright,comfort is pretty good. But this is still a compact SUV,so dont expect acres of legroom or a particularly airy rear seat. The seats are higher than the front seat,so visibility isnt too bad,and you can adjust the backrest.

Boot space is just 346 litres with the rear seats in position they fold to offer 560 litres,which isnt much more than some large hatches. Our Brazilian-spec car was a petrol-powered 1.6-litre engine producing 113bhp and 115lb ft of torque. On motorways,theres enough twist in the mid-range to get the 1,243kg EcoSport moving quite effortlessly,and the motor pulls hard if you keep your foot down. Wind noise is well contained,tyre roar is pretty subdued and the miles just fly by.

On the dips and rises of flowing country roads,the EcoSport just doesnt roll as something with its belly floating 200mm above the asphalt should. Like the Fiesta,the steering is both light and feelsome and this,together with good body control and beautifully weighted brakes,makes this car a joy to drive,even at a slightly relaxed pace. The light but accurate gearbox is super-slick,and it doesnt mind being hurried too much,either.

Push the EcoSport much harder and theres no loss of composure,not much body roll and not too much dive from the suspension. The steering wheel communicates that theres plenty of grip to spare and encourages you to push on. It just feels a bit special.

On the way back to Sao Paulo,we take the EcoSport through minimal traffic over some back roads with plenty of potholes and ridges,and the EcoSports sporty set-up feels too stiff here. While smaller bumps are absorbed with just a shimmy,larger craters register as thuds and upset the composure of the car.

Ford needs to find a compromise between comfort and grip to suit local conditions. The company usually does a stellar job,so we assume it will get it right on the EcoSport,too. Its no surprise that Ford is turning the EcoSport into a global car. Its attractive,fantastic to drive,comfortable,sufficiently spacious,well equipped and just the right size for city streets. The appeal is massive.

The sales numbers of the new Renault Duster have proved how a small SUV with a good mix of attractive styling,driving comfort and space inside can woo the Indian buyers. The EcoSport has a lot going for it and if priced right,it wont be a surprise if this can go on to become the most successful Ford to be sold in India.

The writer is deputy editor,Autocar India.