IS IT SPORTIER THAN THE ECOSPORT?
WHILE THE ED DROVE THE PETROL WITH THE DCT IN
Shillong, the cars we had on hand at this comparison test were
diesels. When it comes to outright power, the Venue diesel isn’t
the most powerful. The 1.4-litre engine makes 88.9bhp compared
to the EcoSport’s 98bhp. At 220Nm, the Venue does make a good
15Nm more though. Sportiness is a function of many things –
steering feel, body control, grip and sheer speed. Compared to the
EcoSport, the Venue has a lighter steering but it feels more direct.
Body control is great too – it may roll a bit but there’s a certain
predictability to it. It is very much like the XUV300, the SUV that
won our shootout when we were looking for the most fun-to-drive
compact SUV. The EcoSport is a tight car – the Ford DNA definitely
courses through its veins but the suspension doesn’t have the
sophistication of the Venue’s. The EcoSport also has the narrowest
track here, and you can feel that play out it when you corner hard
and it also feels a bit top-heavy getting jolted about much more
over bumps. Over a fast piece of road, the Venue has better poise
and, crucially, delivers more confidence to attack corners harder
than you would in the Ecosport.
SPORTINESS IS A
FUNCTION OF MANY
THINGS – STEERING
FEEL, BODY
CONTROL, GRIP AND
SHEER SPEEDFORD ECOSPORT
Engine 1498cc, in-line 4-cyl, turbo-diesel
Transmission 5-speed manual
Power 98bhp @ 3750rpm
To r q u e 205Nm @ 1750-3250rpm
Weight 1304kg
0-100kmph NA
Top speed NA
Price `11.89 lakh (ex-showroom)