Ford Figo Long Term Review
Long Term Test No. 120
Car Tested: Ford Figo Titanium+ TDCi
Kms Done: 6723 kms
Test Started at: 10,895 kms
Test Concluded at: 17,618 kms
Mileage: 16.89 km/l, 21.13 km/l (best), 13.28 km/l (worst)
Fuel Consumed: 398.04-litres
Fuel Cost: Rs. 24,679/-
Rs. per km: Rs. 3.67/-
The Ford Figo is the best hatchback if you want to have fun without spending on fuel
If you know me, you would know I am a big fan of hatchbacks. Whenever a long term car comes to MotorBeam, I never pull rank and let the others enjoy the sedans and SUVs while I drive around in a humble hatchback. But I did pull rank when the Ford Figo diesel arrived in the MotorBeam long term fleet and did not share the car with anyone, that’s how much I love this car. After driving it almost every day in the past seven months, I am truly in love with this 100 PS hot hatch but this relationship with the sub 10-second car has seen both ups and downs.
The Figo is frugal and fast which means you can go places quickly
When the car arrived, I was mesmerised by the performance but as I write this long term report after the car just left, I just had a last drive in the trusted companion and the way this diesel motor pulls, still excites me. There is a big contradiction happening in mind and heart. Come across an instance where you need urgent performance and your head asks for a downshift, signalling your left hand to grab the gear lever while your heart knows the turbo has your back.
The diesel mill has no lag which makes city driving slick
There is so much thrust that fifth gear almost feels like third cog at times!
What happens is that you don’t downshift from fifth gear ever to overtake because fifth actually feels like third, such is the pull from this oil burner. I am too fascinated by this 1.5-litre diesel mill which is not only fast but also furious as it spins the Figo’s wheels even in second gear. Turbo lag is well contained and drivability is fantastic in the city, 20 km/hr in third gear gives you a big range to amble around town while flooring the pedal to overtake everyone in a jiffy, brilliant.
This car totally rocks the highways and reaches 160 km/hr in no time
On the highway, the Ford Figo diesel is, even more, fun because it keeps pulling so strongly that 180 km/hr feels like a joke in what is nothing but a small car. Ford has made the second generation model light to boost efficiency and that is both good and bad. For starters, the mileage is fantastic, I have got above 16 km/l always even with a heavy foot. But the lightness means that crosswinds do affect the car, especially on roads like the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, although above speeds of 140 km/hr.
And you can have your fun around corners too
The only major gripe with the Figo are the stock tyres, they can’t handle the torque
Then there are the tyres, while they do aid in mileage, they just aren’t apt for the job because no matter what you do, they will screech. The Figo produces way too much torque lower down so wheelspins are a given but that’s not all, even when you corner hard, the tyres protest verbally, so do they when you brake hard. Thankfully Ford brought in the Figo S and I drove it back to back with our long termer, being content with the new model but still unhappy for the lack of a proper infotainment system. While the regular Figo is available in the top-spec trim, loaded with 6 airbags and a SYNC audio system, the buttons on the dashboard are just plain unnecessary, I never used them even once!
The all black interior looks sporty and the ergonomics are spot on too
The Bluetooth function works well to connect to your phone in no time and the position of the USB plug is convenient too, near the handbrake so you don’t have to search for it. However, the system could be quicker to respond because when a call comes, it takes at least 2 seconds for it to wake up and accept or reject the call, a.k.a. you will listen to your ringtone for at least 2 seconds, you have no choice. All buttons are placed conveniently and in easy access, be it the power window controls or the boot lid button and visibility all around is great, never did I miss the lack of rear parking sensors or a rear camera.
Driving in traffic is a breeze thanks to a light steering and clutch
Our long term Ford Figo was extensively driven in the crowded most places of Mumbai where parking was a challenge but the car came out ahead with its nimble dimensions, light steering and easy manoeuvrability favouring it. In fact, everyone who sat in the car fell in love with it because of its good NVH levels, ease of driving and of course the lag-free motor. In spite of the steering being light at low speeds, it weighs well at high speeds which makes it such a hoot around corners, even with the below average tyres. And talking about tyres, there was a puncture which was caused due to the car going into one of the million potholes of Mumbai.
The money you save in fuel can be invested in savouring Irani delicacies
The result was the tyre becoming useless as it had multiple cuts so the quality of tyres isn’t good and Ford has recalled the tyres of MRF make but our car was fitted with Apollo rubber (the stepheny was replaced by the dealer with a Goodyear tyre). The other issue reported by owners is with the headlight reflector which we haven’t faced on our car. There was an issue with one of the buttons on the steering wheel which became hard and the driver side power window’s auto roll function stopped working, all this was swiftly addressed at service.
Visits to the pump are a rare sight with the diesel powered Ford Figo
Ford Figo Diesel Service Costs
1. Service Schedule – 10,000 kms/1 year (whichever is earlier)
2. Cost of Service per 1,00,000 Km – Rs. 50,899/-
3. Labour cost per paid service – Rs. 2321/-
4. Cost of Spares –
* Engine Oil Per Service – Rs. 1175/- (3.8-litres)
* Air Filter – Rs. 211/-
* Brake Oil – Rs. 759/-
* Oil Filter – Rs. 371/-
* Fuel Filter – Rs. 1313/-
* AC Dust Filter – Rs. 154/-
* Brake Pads (Front) – Rs. 1603/-
* Front Bumper (without painting) – Rs. 1757/-
* Rear Bumper (without painting) – Rs. 2465/-
* Headlamp Assembly (Each) – Rs. 2824/-
* Tail Lamp Assembly (Each) – Rs. 2369/-
(all costs above are inclusive of taxes)
Gives you 70% thrills of the Volkswagen GTI at 30% the cost
The Ford Figo diesel has been a practical and exciting companion all this while and whenever I drove it, it rewarded me with its performance and driving dynamics. There is far too much going for this car, right from the level of equipment on board to the ride and handling balance which is great, the only gripe in the driving experience being the front under bumper flap which would touch when exiting mall parkings. The other smaller issues can be self addressed, like slapping better and wider rubber would make this car better to accelerate, corner and brake, that’s what makes me look forward to the Figo S. That said, this long term stinct with the Figo diesel has made me realise that you can have your cake and eat it too.
Night out with friends means something like this!
What’s Cool
* The diesel engine – fast, fun, frugal
* Good ride and handling balance, loves to corner hard
* Compact dimensions make it easy in congested streets, easy to park too
* Rich feel steering is also light at low speeds for easy manoeuvrability
* Ford’s cost of upkeep is among the lowest in the segment
What’s Not So Cool
* Stock tyres don’t do justice to the powertrain
* Cluttered infotainment has unnecessary buttons
* Light build makes you miss the first generation Figo
* Some equipment missing like keyless go, push button start, reverse camera
Everybody at MotorBeam wanted to grab the keys of this pocket rocket
Testers’ Note:
I will miss the Figo a lot although its sibling has arrived in our fleet
Further Reading –
Ford Figo Long Term Review – First Report
Ford Figo Review
Ford Figo vs Maruti Swift vs Hyundai Grand i10 vs Tata Bolt – Comparison Video
Ford Figo vs Maruti Swift vs Hyundai Grand i10 vs Tata Bolt – Shootout
Ford Figo DCT vs Honda Jazz CVT vs Volkswagen Polo GT TSI – Shootout