The first generation EcoSport was designed by Ford Brazil Development Center under the program code BV226, and the codename "Amazon Project".

The EcoSport became one of Ford's best-seller models in Brazil, consistently appearing on the twenty best selling vehicles.

Also updated were the rear lights, both bumpers, and the interior with a new dashboard using better quality materials.The Ford EcoSport arrived in Mexico in late 2003 as a 2004 model.

This trend continued to worsen for the refreshed model year of 2008 due in part to a price increase.

The second-generation EcoSport was first showcased as a concept at the 2012 New Delhi Auto Expo, in India on 4 January 2012,[11] and was launched in Brazil on 14 July 2012.

In addition to China, the vehicle was also made at Ford India's Chennai plant, for domestic sale and export initially to the European, and by 2018, the North American, markets.

[15] In some countries, The EcoSport has a 1.0-litre three cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine which has a power output of 120 PS (88 kW; 118 bhp) and 170 N⋅m (125 lb⋅ft) of torque.

[21] On 11 January 2021, Ford announced to shutter three production plants in Brazil as part of cost-saving measures.

The three-cylinder engine design causes inherent vibrations, which are countered by a deliberately unbalanced flywheel, which has less friction than balance shafts.

[27] All engines except the diesel are offered in Japan, with a five-speed manual or six-speed dual clutch transmission, and optional all-wheel drive.

[28] The announcement was made in September 2013, at the IFA exhibition in Berlin, and the first limited edition versions could be ordered on a dedicated website.

[29] After disappointing sales figures in Europe in 2014, during which the EcoSport only sold 11,000 units against over 100,000 for each of its main competitors, the car was revised in 2015, to make it more suitable to European tastes.

This happened on the background of the growing market for the SUV segment in Europe, and would bring an investment of €200 million to the factory.

[34] The EcoSport's mid-cycle updates were announced at 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show for the 2018 model year, including a revised front end design, and a redesigned rear bumper.

The dashboard has an optional 8-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Australian-, Canadian- and US-market EcoSports, made in India, have the rear mounted spare tire as optional on the base model.

Additionally, all models that were due to be exported to Argentina, Mexico, Canada, and the US have all been cancelled as well, however, the EcoSport will still be sold in Europe and will be built at facility in Romania.