Our comparison of the new Ford EcoSport v Maruti Vitara Brezza will give you clear indication of which SUV is the best in the segment
Unveiled at Auto Expo 2016, the Maruti Vitara Brezza was the first product from the largest automaker in the country in the highly competitive compact SUV segment. Ford EcoSport being an already strong player has received a thorough refresh lately and it is expected to give the Vitara Brezza a tough competition.
The facelifted Ford EcoSport sub-compact SUV was revealed at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show and it adopted design cues from the current generation Ford Edge. It retains the tail-gate mounted spare wheel with similar overall design as in the US-spec version. Ford also claimed that localisation levels went up from 65 percent to 80 percent as the EcoSport is said to offer class-leading ownership with spare parts costing 40 percent less than rivals.
Apart from cosmetic changes, the interior and features list have been completely revised as well giving an extra whomp to the American SUV. Meanwhile, the Vitara Brezza on the other hand has traditional boxy looks of a proper SUV and has a spacious cabin with appreciable list of features with a tried and tested diesel engine. So, who would come out on top in our comparison?
Let us take a closer look at everything you need to know about these two SUVs and how they compare:
New Ford Ecosport v Maruti Vitara Brezza Design:
The new EcoSport has matured styling keeping the overall silhouette intact as the exterior bears influences of the latest Kuga and Edge. The design package is underlined by revisions to headlamps with sleeker LED Daytime Running Lights and projector lamps, Edge-inspired fog lamps, redesigned bumpers, enlarged trapezoidal radiator grille with dual slats and black plastic mesh pattern as well as a new tail lamp design.
The side profile is almost kept similar to the outgoing model. The signature tail-mounted spare wheel continues while there is a new set of alloy wheels. Maruti Vitara Brezza is an aggressive looking and appealing SUV in the sub compact segment. It gets automatic projector headlamps with “Bull Horn” styled LED daytime running lights and a thick chrome bar just ahead of the front grille.
The side profile looks impressive with dual tone colour scheme, bold looking alloy wheels, higher waistline, black plastic cladding at the bottom, and a sloping sporty roofline. The rear gets LED tail lights and a beefy bumper. The EcoSport is certainly the modern looking SUV here but the Vitara Brezza has traditional SUV stance that will appeal for some as the design choice comes down to personal preference.
New Ford Ecosport v Maruti Vitara Brezza Dimension
| Dimension | New Ford EcoSport | Maruti Vitara Brezza |
| Length | 3,998 mm | 3,995 mm |
| Width | 1,765 mm | 1,790 mm |
| Height | 1,647 mm | 1,640 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,519 mm | 2,500 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 200 mm | 198 mm |
Dimensionally, Maruti Vitara Brezza sports 3,995 mm of length, 1,790 mm of width and 1,640 mm of height. On the other hand, the new Ford EcoSport gets length of 3,998 mm with 1,765 mm of width and 1,647 mm of height.
Brezza gets 19 mm smaller wheelbase at 2,500 mm. The ground clearance is not much different for these two cars as Vitara gets 198 mm and EcoSport offers 200 mm of ground clearance. While the Brezza is wider, the EcoSport is taller and longer of the two.
New Ford Ecosport v Maruti Vitara Brezza Interior and Features:
The Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza has interior inspired from Baleno hatchback and some of the equipment are carried over from the Swift. The dual-tone colour scheme inherits premium appeal and the positioning of automatic control system means a good amount of storage space down below.
The neatly laid out cabin comes with good quality upholstery and dashboard materials with piano-black finished centre console featuring Smartplay infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and cruise control. It also gets sliding front armrest, reverse parking camera, voice command function, chilled glovebox, Mapcare navigation, three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and Bluetooth connectivity. The available safety features are ABS with EBD, keyless entry, push button start/stop, etc.
Stepping in, the EcoSport facelift gains a brand new dash with improved centre console comprising less buttons that make the model more upmarket. There is also a revised dashboard, new multi-spoke steering wheel with mounted controls, high-positioned latest SYNC3 eight-inch infotainment system with a new colour display as well as navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and smartphone integration, a 110-volt outlet, new rectangular AC vents, fast-charging USB ports, two 12-volt power outlets and so on.
Other features include TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) for better safety and mileage, reversing camera, additional safety technologies, etc. New B&O Play audio system standard on EcoSport Titanium features 10 speakers and 675 watts of power, rain sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, electro chromic mirror, cluster ring and cluster appliqué, window regulator switches and air register tabs, leather upholstery for seats and optional dual-tone interior.
Although Maruti Vitara Brezza gives more space on the inside, it it the EcoSport that comes out on top as the clear winner in terms of equipment list and the cabin design. The touchscreen infotainment is also the best the segment has to offer on the EcoSport while it is also safer than the Vitara Brezza with many technologies on the top-end trims.