Car Review: two thousand fifteen Ford Concentrate SE

Overview

Five-passenger, front-wheel-drive compact sedan

Pros Unique engine and willing chassis

Cons Spartan interior, disappointing fuel economy

Value for money Average

What would I switch? The Two.0L engine would be a better fit for the Concentrate

Periodically, we forearm the keys to a test vehicle to two of our experts to hear what they have to say. Brian Harper is a veteran journalist with decades of practice who has previously participated in the Targa Newfoundland and Clayton Seams is a freshly minted journalist with an ancient and leaky one thousand nine hundred sixty nine Chrysler in the garage. Here’s what they had to say about the two thousand fifteen Ford Concentrate SE.

Local Pricing & Incentives

• 2018
• 2017
• 2016

See what your neighbours are paying

Brian Harper: Despite Ford’s boast that its Concentrate is the “world’s best-selling nameplate” — for three years in a row, no less — the car just hasn’t registered much in my mind lately as one of those vehicles to rattle off when I’m asked: “What’s a good, basic, compact car to buy without spending a lot of money?” Canadians love their compact cars and, while the Concentrate is Ford’s best-selling car here, it trails badly in sales compared with the superior Japanese and Korean players.

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

Now, Ford has given the car a makeover for two thousand fifteen — restyled fetish mask, grille and trunk lid, fresh rear lamp clusters, etc. — so it has a pleasant, freshly scrubbed look to it. But that’s not the big news, is it Punk? No, the SE sedan tester has the available “fun-to-drive” (Ford’s words) 1.0-litre EcoBoost three-cylinder under its rubber hood, the same engine that made its debut here last year in the smaller Fiesta. And it comes bolted to a six-speed manual transmission. So, tell me, kid, how struck are you?

Clayton Seams: Well, I was struck that an engine option still exists that requires the buyer to select a manual transmission. But, sadly, I foresee the third pedal in the footwell turning off a lot of prospective buyers. I was also affected by the little EcoBoost’s spec sheet. The Lilliputian three-cylinder makes one hundred twenty three horsepower as well as one hundred twenty five pound-feet of torque, and Ford promises highway fuel economy of just Five.9 L/100 km. In theory, it makes flawless sense to drop the little engine into the Concentrate. But, like communism and Wankel engines, some things just don’t translate into the real world. In regular driving, the Concentrate requires prolonged jabs at the throttle and constant shifting to keep up with the flow of traffic. The engine struggled with the car’s weight and fuel economy was well below the projected numbers.

That said, the styling and interior design of the Concentrate looked better to my millennial eyes than the Civic or Corolla. But you might disagree with me on that.

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

BH: Don’t worry, I will. But your assessment of the car’s in-traffic comportment pretty much mirrors mine — too much work for too little prize. The 1.0L would be better appreciated in rural situations, where traffic is light and hard acceleration isn’t as necessary. Then, the engine’s supposed fuel efficiency would be more noticeable. It’s not as tho’ the 8.0 L/100 km I averaged was bad for a compact sedan in mixed suburb/highway use, it’s that it wasn’t any better than what I’ve achieved driving more powerful four-cylinder/automatic transmission cars of the same size.

As to your millennial eyes and the Concentrate SE’s interior, I would suggest booking an appointment with your optometrist. My wifey and I leaped into the car, took one look at the sombre blackness of the cabin area and the plain Jane dash layout, turned to each other and said, “Old person’s car!” Considering how many more years on this planet I have than you, you might love the irony.

CS: The interior might be a sea of blackness but the controls are well laid out and intuitive. The infotainment screen, however petite, has menus that are effortless to navigate and it was a cinch to pair my phone.

But one point I hope you will agree with me on is that the Concentrate sits on an excellent chassis. It’s not as acute as the Concentrate ST but the SE sedan has good turn-in and feels antsy to be thrown into turns. Dynamically, it’s a large step up from competitors like the Toyota Yaris.

But is the 1.0L EcoBoost engine the one to have or do you choose the “old fashioned” naturally aspirated engine?

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

BH: I won’t argue the chassis with you other than to say it would benefit a much stronger engine. But, are the treating dynamics that much better than other compact sedans? Based on a Corolla S I recently tested, I’d say not. (The Toyota’s personality could also benefit from a sportier, more powerful engine.)

As for preference, it’s more about application than anything. The three-cylinder works better in a lighter, smaller car. So, it’s more adequate for the Fiesta than it is for the Concentrate. While in France a duo of years ago, I drove an ultra-light Caterham sports car fitted with an EcoBoost three that was putting out about one hundred thirty hp. It hurled itself around corners like it was being chased by a pack of starved velociraptors on Harleys. What joy.

So, getting to your question, the base four-cylinder might not be the last word in internal combustion engines, but it’s a better fit in the Concentrate. Are you going to be difficult now?

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

CS: I think we can both agree that the 1.0L EcoBoost is a good engine but that the Concentrate is not the greatest home for it. And while it won’t be able to dangle with your EcoBoosted Caterham, the Concentrate still supplies an engaging drive for the segment. But the thickest issue with the 1.0L EcoBoost Concentrate is that it doesn’t truly make sense.

The turbo engine is a $1,600 option over the standard engine with a five-speed manual, but is it truly worth it? The official city/highway ratings of 8.1/Five.9 L/100 km of the EcoBoost are better than the 9.Trio/6.7 L/100 km achieved by the Two.0L, but real-world driving greatly hurts the 1.0L’s fuel economy advantage. This means you’ll have to drive a long ways to earn your $1,600 back in saved fuel.

Unless highway fuel economy is utterly significant to you, the value case for the EcoBoost engine is hard to make.

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

BH: Let me revisit what I said about the Fiesta 1.0 and see how much applies to the Concentrate: “It seems to me Ford — if it is actively attempting to promote this fresh engine — is shooting itself in the foot by charging a premium. … The Fiesta is a budget-based vehicle purchase for many, and paying more for a smaller engine is going to be a big negative, especially if they do the math and calculate that it will take almost six years before the extra cost is offset at the gas pumps by the engine’s fuel economy.” Yep, pretty much a big fat ditto when it comes to the Concentrate. Putting a hockey spin on the entire plot, it’s Technology 7, Marketing Two.

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

CS: Well said, Brian. The Ecoboost Concentrate is a fine concept, but despite the marketing hype, the package just doesn’t translate into reality. The Concentrate features acute styling, a logical (dark and cave-like) interior and a willing chassis. This car is more stylish than a Civic, and more joy to drive than a Sentra. The Concentrate should be on car buyers’ brief list but their money would be better spent on the standard Two.0L engine. It’s hard to make a case for the 1.0L Concentrate but it’s effortless to recommend the Concentrate as a entire.

Car Review: two thousand fifteen Ford Concentrate SE, Driving

Car Review: two thousand fifteen Ford Concentrate SE

Overview

Five-passenger, front-wheel-drive compact sedan

Pros Unique engine and willing chassis

Cons Spartan interior, disappointing fuel economy

Value for money Average

What would I switch? The Two.0L engine would be a better fit for the Concentrate

Periodically, we palm the keys to a test vehicle to two of our experts to hear what they have to say. Brian Harper is a veteran journalist with decades of practice who has previously participated in the Targa Newfoundland and Clayton Seams is a freshly minted journalist with an ancient and leaky one thousand nine hundred sixty nine Chrysler in the garage. Here’s what they had to say about the two thousand fifteen Ford Concentrate SE.

Local Pricing & Incentives

• 2018
• 2017
• 2016

See what your neighbours are paying

Brian Harper: Despite Ford’s boast that its Concentrate is the “world’s best-selling nameplate” — for three years in a row, no less — the car just hasn’t registered much in my mind lately as one of those vehicles to rattle off when I’m asked: “What’s a good, basic, compact car to buy without spending a lot of money?” Canadians love their compact cars and, while the Concentrate is Ford’s best-selling car here, it trails badly in sales compared with the superior Japanese and Korean players.

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

Now, Ford has given the car a makeover for two thousand fifteen — restyled bondage mask, grille and trunk lid, fresh rear lamp clusters, etc. — so it has a pleasant, freshly scrubbed look to it. But that’s not the big news, is it Punk? No, the SE sedan tester has the available “fun-to-drive” (Ford’s words) 1.0-litre EcoBoost three-cylinder under its spandex hood, the same engine that made its debut here last year in the smaller Fiesta. And it comes bolted to a six-speed manual transmission. So, tell me, kid, how struck are you?

Clayton Seams: Well, I was amazed that an engine option still exists that requires the buyer to select a manual transmission. But, sadly, I foresee the third pedal in the footwell turning off a lot of prospective buyers. I was also struck by the little EcoBoost’s spec sheet. The Lilliputian three-cylinder makes one hundred twenty three horsepower as well as one hundred twenty five pound-feet of torque, and Ford promises highway fuel economy of just Five.9 L/100 km. In theory, it makes flawless sense to drop the little engine into the Concentrate. But, like communism and Wankel engines, some things just don’t translate into the real world. In regular driving, the Concentrate requires prolonged jabs at the throttle and constant shifting to keep up with the flow of traffic. The engine struggled with the car’s weight and fuel economy was well below the projected numbers.

That said, the styling and interior design of the Concentrate looked better to my millennial eyes than the Civic or Corolla. But you might disagree with me on that.

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

BH: Don’t worry, I will. But your assessment of the car’s in-traffic comportment pretty much mirrors mine — too much work for too little prize. The 1.0L would be better appreciated in rural situations, where traffic is light and hard acceleration isn’t as necessary. Then, the engine’s supposed fuel efficiency would be more noticeable. It’s not as tho’ the 8.0 L/100 km I averaged was bad for a compact sedan in mixed suburb/highway use, it’s that it wasn’t any better than what I’ve achieved driving more powerful four-cylinder/automatic transmission cars of the same size.

As to your millennial eyes and the Concentrate SE’s interior, I would suggest booking an appointment with your optometrist. My wifey and I leaped into the car, took one look at the sombre blackness of the cabin area and the plain Jane dash layout, turned to each other and said, “Old person’s car!” Considering how many more years on this planet I have than you, you might love the irony.

CS: The interior might be a sea of blackness but the controls are well laid out and intuitive. The infotainment screen, tho’ petite, has menus that are effortless to navigate and it was a cinch to pair my phone.

But one point I hope you will agree with me on is that the Concentrate sits on an excellent chassis. It’s not as acute as the Concentrate ST but the SE sedan has good turn-in and feels impatient to be thrown into turns. Dynamically, it’s a ample step up from competitors like the Toyota Yaris.

But is the 1.0L EcoBoost engine the one to have or do you choose the “old fashioned” naturally aspirated engine?

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

BH: I won’t argue the chassis with you other than to say it would benefit a much stronger engine. But, are the treating dynamics that much better than other compact sedans? Based on a Corolla S I recently tested, I’d say not. (The Toyota’s personality could also benefit from a sportier, more powerful engine.)

As for preference, it’s more about application than anything. The three-cylinder works better in a lighter, smaller car. So, it’s more suitable for the Fiesta than it is for the Concentrate. While in France a duo of years ago, I drove an ultra-light Caterham sports car fitted with an EcoBoost three that was putting out about one hundred thirty hp. It hurled itself around corners like it was being chased by a pack of starved velociraptors on Harleys. What joy.

So, getting to your question, the base four-cylinder might not be the last word in internal combustion engines, but it’s a better fit in the Concentrate. Are you going to be difficult now?

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

CS: I think we can both agree that the 1.0L EcoBoost is a fine engine but that the Concentrate is not the greatest home for it. And while it won’t be able to drape with your EcoBoosted Caterham, the Concentrate still supplies an engaging drive for the segment. But the largest issue with the 1.0L EcoBoost Concentrate is that it doesn’t truly make sense.

The turbo engine is a $1,600 option over the standard engine with a five-speed manual, but is it indeed worth it? The official city/highway ratings of 8.1/Five.9 L/100 km of the EcoBoost are better than the 9.Trio/6.7 L/100 km achieved by the Two.0L, but real-world driving greatly hurts the 1.0L’s fuel economy advantage. This means you’ll have to drive a long ways to earn your $1,600 back in saved fuel.

Unless highway fuel economy is enormously significant to you, the value case for the EcoBoost engine is hard to make.

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

BH: Let me revisit what I said about the Fiesta 1.0 and see how much applies to the Concentrate: “It seems to me Ford — if it is actively attempting to promote this fresh engine — is shooting itself in the foot by charging a premium. … The Fiesta is a budget-based vehicle purchase for many, and paying more for a smaller engine is going to be a big negative, especially if they do the math and calculate that it will take almost six years before the extra cost is offset at the gas pumps by the engine’s fuel economy.” Yep, pretty much a big fat ditto when it comes to the Concentrate. Putting a hockey spin on the entire plot, it’s Technology 7, Marketing Two.

2015 Ford Concentrate SE

CS: Well said, Brian. The Ecoboost Concentrate is a excellent concept, but despite the marketing hype, the package just doesn’t translate into reality. The Concentrate features acute styling, a logical (dark and cave-like) interior and a willing chassis. This car is more stylish than a Civic, and more joy to drive than a Sentra. The Concentrate should be on car buyers’ brief list but their money would be better spent on the standard Two.0L engine. It’s hard to make a case for the 1.0L Concentrate but it’s effortless to recommend the Concentrate as a entire.

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