[Turbo_anup]

Dear All,

Am looking to replace my 9+ year Old Volkswagen Vento 1.6 TDI Highline Diesel car, as due to 10 year rule by NGT in Delhi NCR, cannot use it beyond March 2022 next year. I am looking at sub-4m SUV due to strict budget and currently looking at Diesel option only, due to my monthly usage of approx 2500 kms. After lot of test drives and going to and fro across models, finally shortlisted 2 options which work out for us - though both are a stretch for my budget -

1) Ford Ecosport S Diesel Manual
Pro's -
- Peppy Diesel engine
- relatively better build quality
- Excellent handling and steering
- 5 alloy wheels
- Really feature loaded even over Venue - Auto dimming IRVM, Puddle lamps, Rake and Reach steering,
- Ford has put out maintainence chart with price for each service and that looks good on wallet (especially after owning a VW product where each service costs apprx 12- 15K)
- Discounts to the tune of approx 50K available on ex-showroom price including dealer discount of 10K

Cons -
- Plastic is the lower half of cabin are of very average quality
- No rear air-con vent (my family is saying this as a BIG negative point against Ecosport). We are a family of 4 - 3 Adults and 1 child
- boot opens sideways (this may be ignore though better half has noted this too as an issue)
- Non grab handles on door (find it a bit weird as other 6 airbags car do have them)

2) Hyundai Venue SX (O) Diesel Manual
Pro's -
- Better plastic and interiors feel than Ford
- Jazzy features like wireless charging, e-Sim, air purifier, SOS calling button etc.
- Frugal diesel engine which gives better mileage than Ford; is adequate for both city and highways
- Rear AC vents (this is a big plus according to my family as they are adamant that this helps in cooling cabin better)
- Family think better shape of boot (we drive extensively and do 2-3 drives in between our homes in Mumbai and delhi every year)

Cons -
- Sheet metal and external build RELATIVELY lighter than Ford
- Not sure, but the service costs might be higher than Ford
- ABSOLUTELY no discounts at all
- no reach function in steering, manual Day / Night IRVM
- Driving dynamics though good in isolation are a step behind Ford (as per my test drive)

My Heart says - Ecosport but my family says Venue
I need to finalise the vehicle in another 1 - 2 months max. Hence request forum members if they can help me. I will be driving the vehicle on my own and it will serve as primary vehicle in my garage - the other being AStar which is being used by my wife primarily. Thanks,

[jigar1791@gmail]

Ecosport anyday, for the lovely 1.5 TDCi pot.

Though old school, the engine is brilliant and relevant in today's world. You'd have a bbbiigg on your face when you'll floor the Ecosport's pedal.

Venue, is a very capable product in today's compact SUV/Crossover crazy world, but Ecosport was, and still is, by far, the best sub 4m C-SUV India has on it's roads.

[TrackDay]

I expect a lot of members to vote for the EcoSport. Even I love that car. It feels robust and built to last.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uJdC2ldeGg

My vote is for the EcoSport. I am not going to suggest other cars as it can only increase the confusion in this segment. Besides you have shortlisted these two. This Ford is a well designed car that has stood the test of time in terms of design as well as built quality. I feel the car is built to go the distance.

[Pequod]

At the time I post this, the votes are 100% for the Blue Oval!

Suggests that you simply can’t go wrong with this one. All the cons you mention aren’t really deal breakers, except rear aircon vents maybe. Though I can tell you that the rear passengers, especially my 9 year old, has never once felt or expressed the need for one in our Ecosport, all through our sojourns spanning the length and breadth of peninsular India!

[ramki.grandhi]

Looks like you have budget, so look for Nexon as well. Give a test drive, its an amazing choice next to Ecosport.

Out of Ecosport and venue, Ecosport is a far better choice. Venue won't even come closer w.r.t. safety kit and driving dynamics.

[Vijin]

Going against the trend, for your case I voted for Venue.

Ecosport is definitely the superior car to drive, however, for rear seat passengers it might feel a bit grim. Do take your family for an extensive drive test before you pick. I had to uncheck Ecosport from my list, for this reason, when I was in the market two years ago. (I also feel Venue is the better VFM car).

Happy hunting!

[Funny]

Voted for the EcoSport since its a car that will keep you satisfied on the long run. And the maintenance is dirt cheap compared to competition. The only significant negative point I see is the absence of rear AC vents which can be addressed by using sun-blinds at the rear windows. The AC unit itself is quite capable of cooling the car adequately even during hot summer days, although it will take a bit longer to cool the rear section of the car.

Originally Posted by Vijin

Ecosport is definitely the superior car to drive, however, for rear seat passengers it might feel a bit grim.

The rear seat of both the cars are similar in terms of space and comfort. I am sure OP would've tried out the rear space on both the cars and hence hasn't mentioned anything regarding them since there is no significant difference to mention. Kia Sonet on the other hand has managed better space at the rear as per folks.

[chautob0t]

I am going to book an EcoSport myself in the next couple of weeks! From my test drives of EcoSport, Venue and Sonet, there is simply no comparison in terms of driving dynamics. EcoSport is the clear winner in all driving aspects imho.

Venue has a little bit more rear legroom but my family is 5' 10" or below so not a big deal for me, EcoSport is just fine in that regard.

Originally Posted by Turbo_anup

Dear All,

- Discounts to the tune of approx 50K available on ex-showroom price including dealer discount of 10K

Can you tell me which dealership and SA did you talk to? If possible, I would like to get in touch with them as well for a quote/booking for the petrol variants. (Titanium or S).


Also an observation, there has been continuous bashing of Ford and EcoSport SE in other threads and now when it comes to recommendations, it's overwhelmingly leaning towards EcoSport.

[sahil624]

Hi, it’s a good thing that you’ve chosen Ecosport S variant to compare with the Venue. If you would have chosen any other variant, it would have been a head scratcher. But, this is a pretty simple equation as far as I am concerned. The S variant is loaded to the brim and hence is future proof too, plus, the Ecosport looks great in those S variant alloys.
Also, you’ve mentioned rear AC vents missing as a con for Ecosport. I had taken the test drive of Ecosport a year earlier and that too during the peak summers of Jaipur and it does chill down the cabin pretty quickly and thus AC is powerful. However, I agree, if there were rear AC vents the cabin’s temperature would have gone down more briskly, but this one does a pretty good job too.
All the best for your decision.

[JithinR]

Originally Posted by chautob0t

Also an observation, there has been continuous bashing of Ford and EcoSport SE in other threads and now when it comes to recommendations, it's overwhelmingly leaning towards EcoSport.

Well, in a forum full of automobile enthusiasts it was pretty much a given that EcoSport would win out in this comparo.

But then tell the same group that Ford wants to mess with one of it's most well rounded products (despite its flaws) then once again it's no surprise that they would get bashed left right and center.

[vnabhi]

I was on a similar hunt, and the final choice boiled down to the Ecosport tdci S and the Sonet---none of us liked the read end of the Venue or Nexon. The Sonet had an 'okayish' rear look and better interiors by a slender margin.

But the Ecosport was decided soon after the TD--mainly due to driving dynamics and it was loaded with features that we loved---like the telescopic steering, commanding view, build quality, etc.

We booked it on Feb 28th and were given April 10th as the expected delivery date. A couple of days later, they updated me saying latest by end of march 3rd week. But a week later, they offered me one that was allotted to another customer, who was having issues with his loan getting sanctioned. Overall, we got it in 11 days and it has been 4 exciting days so far!

The only negatives of the ES, in my opinion are the narrow rear space (legroom is more than adequate, it is the width that is less), lack of grab handles (we can grip the door handles though) and the view from the driver's seat does not give you a feel of how far the dimensions of the car extend. Owing to the 3rd point, i grazed the left ORVM this morning in a narrow pathway, but luckily it got closed with hardly any mark.

[car_guy1998]

I'll suggest you to go for the Ecosport as it has better driving dynamics, a better engine and a better build as well if you are going for Diesel MT.

If it's Diesel AT only if you want to, then go for Kia Sonet GTX+ 6AT as well as it has the best engine+auto transmission combo, i.e, Diesel+6 speed TC AT.

But, since you are not considering the Diesel AT, I would suggest you to go for the Ecosport only even though its design is nearly 8 years old.

[GTO]

I would pick the EcoSport as well. Says a lot about how competent this product is, when it's a whopping 8 years old and still winning polls against younger competition. But that diesel + build + road manners + driving pleasure make it a no-brainer choice. Especially for a Vento owner who is used to the "European" build & feel.

Of course, if it was the turbo-petrol or AT, then the Venue makes for a compelling choice. But diesel = EcoSport.

[Shiftlock]

While car shopping last December we had similar choices but in their petrol counterparts and we still chose the Ecosport because we felt that overall the Venue edged over only in features like a Sunroof and Android Auto/ Apple Carplay whereas the Ecosport was leagues ahead in driving dynamics and had all the necessary features ( we were looking at the Titanium variant). Rear leg room was also sufficient for us since except for me all my family members are 5'10" or below. After using the ES with 5 people on board, I can say that the AC in the car is very effective and it does not take much time to cool even the rear of the cabin.

I would say, coming from the beautiful German build of the Vento, the ES will give you more satisfaction over the Venue and you would be getting all the same features as well in the Titanium S trim. The waiting period would be worth it and you can enjoy your next 10 years of ownership with a beautiful and very capable machine.

[bigben]

I am also looking at picking the Ecosport and haven't even considered the Hyundai. The steering in the Ford is spot on, and is a great drivers car. Test drove the car last Sunday and enjoyed it. I think the engine is a gem. really smooth. One of the first things I noticed was the ride. Coming from an Indica, the Ecosport felt firm at low speeds and awesome at high speeds.
I will be picking up mine in a month or 2 as well.