Ford EcoSport Storm: 10 tips on this used SUV

Do you know that more bandit, very urban and bold look that adds sportiness to any quiet car? Ford took advantage of this with the Storm version in the last years of the EcoSport’s existence.

The model that changed the market and the meaning of SUVs has a great combination in this configuration: different design with the benefit of the largest filling that is expected in a top-of-the-line configuration.

Therefore, we are going to detail 10 facts about the Ford EcoSport Storm, a cool option for those who want a tall car, with a bad face, good performance and even 4×4 traction for that limited adventure.

1. History of the Ford EcoSport

The first generation of the Ford EcoSport appeared in February 2003 to give a new meaning to the SUV body. Derived directly from the Fiesta hatchback, it arrived as the cheapest SUV in the country and options for 1.0, 1.0 Supercharger, 1.6 and 2.0 engines.

The EcoSport was so undeniably urban that it only had the option of an on-demand all-wheel drive version in 2005. And this at the pure insistence of Ford of the United States, but the 4WD variants never exceeded 2% of total sales in this initial phase of the SUV.

Ford introduced the second-generation EcoSport in July 2012. The SUV kept the same urban logic, but derived from the New Fiesta. In the more expensive versions, it kept the 2.0 engine, but the 1.6 8V gave way to the 1.6 16V Sigma.

It had the misfortune of being equipped with the Powershift, an automated dual-clutch six-speed gearbox, which gave headaches to several SUV owners. In 2019, Ford launched the Storm version for the EcoSport, with a sportier design, 2.0 engine and all-wheel drive.

There was still time for Ford to change the 1.6 engine of the EcoSport for the 1.5 Dragon and adopt a traditional six-speed automatic transmission instead of Powershift. In 2021, Ford closed its factories in Brazil and the SUV said goodbye, with more than 720 thousand registrations in 18 years.

2. Brazilian and pioneering project

The EcoSport was the second product of the Amazon project, from the Brazilian Ford. This started with the fifth-generation Fiesta produced at the automaker’s then new plant in Camaçari (BA), starting in 2002 – today the factory is owned by BYD.

It is said that the first sketch of the Eco was made on a napkin in a restaurant. The fact is that Ford used other movements, such as Fiat’s Adventure versions, and market research that pointed out that less than 5% of SUV owners have ever used 4×4 traction.

So much so that the EcoSport was born without a 4×4 option and made on a monocoque. Almost a decade later, other brands woke up to this and today the world is dominated by genuinely urban SUVs, thanks to our first Eco.

During this lethargy and lack of reaction from rival brands, Ford swam with armfuls. It was the best-selling SUV for more than 10 years and its licensing only began to be shaken in earnest in the second half of the 2010s, with the arrival of a wave of compact crossovers.

3. How the EcoSport Storm is different

The Ford EcoSport Storm was born in 2019. It draws attention precisely for its darker look. Starting with the black grille with the name of the version embossed above a horizontal bar.

Still at the front, headlights with darkened lenses and a different bumper from the rest of the line. This design was inspired by the front end of the then-previous generation F-150 Raptor pickup (which still didn’t even dream of being sold in Brazil).

On the sides, alloy wheels with 17-inch rims and exclusive design, and stickers on the bodywork. At the rear, personalized spare tire cover and taillights with darkened lenses.

The Ford EcoSport Storm was based on the top-of-the-line Titanium version, but also adopted darkened patterns on the headliner and dashboard. There are details of the orange finish at the bottom of the multimedia screen, door handles and console.

Curiosity: the variant increased the share of 4WD versions. If in the first generation it did not exceed 2%, only the Storm had more than 5% of mix within the total registrations of the SUV.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

4. EcoSport Storm Performance

At this stage of the EcoSport, the aspirated 2.0 16V engine of Ford’s Duratec family was already equipped with direct injection. Which means that the 176 hp of power with ethanol and 170 hp with gasoline are even left over in certain situations.

The first accelerations are good, with quick responses. The six-speed automatic transmission takes a while in the higher ratios. With this, 0 to 100 km/h is done in 10 seconds.

The torque of 22,5/20,6 kgfm is presented at 4.500 rpm. Which requires attention to the tachometer when you need to overtake with the Ford EcoSport Storm on the road, for example.

Dynamically, the SUV pleases. It is good to remember that this generation of EcoSport used a high-precision laser measurement system to align the front end at the Camaçari plant – the same technique used in the Mustang of those times. Not to mention the active front grille.

In addition, especially the Storm configuration of the Ford EcoSport received different calibration in the suspension (the rear is independent multi-arm) and in the steering with electric assistance. Stability is good: the SUV twists little and points well in curves.

5. EcoSport Storm 4×4 traction, but take it easy

One of the highlights of the Ford EcoSport Storm is the 4WD, the all-wheel drive system. Developed by Mazda (a Japanese brand in which the North American had a stake until the 2010s), it works by viscous coupling on demand.

The all-wheel drive allows for a light adventure, on innocent and discreetly more rugged stretches of land. In addition, the suspension recalibration increased the height of the SUV by 1.7 cm (1.70 m in total), which has a ground clearance of 20 cm and an angle of attack of 23.6 degrees.

However, don’t get excited. The EcoSport is originally an urban SUV and more off-road stretches should be avoided. It is good to remember that its 19-degree departure angle does not help much, this variant uses asphalt tires and the 4WD system does not offer reduced.

6. EcoSport Storm finish is good

Derived from a compact hatch, there are no miracles in the EcoSport’s cabin. The environment is similar to that of the New Fiesta and there is limited leg, shoulder and knee room for front and rear passengers.

The SUV compensates with a very high driving position, but the seats could have a better density. The trunk holds 362 liters, a volume larger than that of a current hatchback, such as the Fiat Argo.

The interior finish is much superior to that of the first generation, but it remains quite simple, with a lot of hard plastic and few soft surfaces. The darkened tones of the Storm soften the simplicity on board the Ford EcoSport.

The suspension, on the other hand, deserves praise. It treats drivers in front well, with low steering wheel vibration. And it doesn’t shake so much at the back either, even more so for a tall SUV like the EcoSport. Acoustic insulation is efficient most of the time.

7. Equipment

• 
• 
• 

The EcoSport Storm is the most complete in Ford’s small SUV lineup. In safety, seven airbags, traction, stability and hill climb controls, blind spot sensor with cross traffic alert, camera and reverse sensor, low tire pressure warning and adaptive bi-xenon headlights with automatic height adjustment and washers.

The top-of-the-line version is also equipped with a multimedia center with an eight-inch screen with native GPS, cell phone mirroring, USB socket, Bluetooth connection and Sony’s premium sound system.

Electric sunroof, face-to-face key with push-button engine start, leather-covered seats and steering wheel, automatic and digital air conditioning, rain and twilight sensors, cruise control, paddles for gear changes and lumbar adjustment for the driver’s seat complete the package.

8. Our tip: Ford EcoSport Storm 2020

We suggest the 2020 vintage of the EcoSport Storm, the penultimate of existence of Ford’s SUV. See the average prices by the KBB Brazil indicator (calculated in July 2026):

• Store price: R$ 90.172
• Private price: R$ 81.155
• Trade-in price: BRL 67.489

9. How much does it cost to repair the EcoSport?

• Set with four front brake pads: from R$ 200 to R$ 260
• Set with four spark plugs: from R$ 270 to R$ 330
• Fuel pump: from R$ 250 to R$ 410
• Oil change kit (4 liters 5w30 + filter): from R$ 230 to R$ 400
• Rear shock absorber: from R$ 440 to R$ 620 (pair)
• Rear bumper: from R$ 600 to R$ 950
• Right headlight: from R$ 1.600 to R$ 2.900

10. Main problems

See the main complaints of second-generation Ford EcoSport owners collected on internet forums, virtual discussion groups and on the Reclame Aqui website:

• Early wear of brake pads
• Cracks in the brake discs
• Fuel pump defects
• Injection system failures
• Steering column clearances

EcoSport 2 recalls:

• Replacement of the door lock latch and trunk in 2013 and 2014 units
• Checking and possible replacement of tyres on cars in 2014
• Changing seat belt buckles on models made from 2016 to 2017
• 1.5 engine control module software update on units manufactured between 2018 and 2019
• Checking and possibly changing the backrest structure of the front seats on 2019 and 2020 models

Check out the evaluation we made when the SUV was launched