2019 Ford Figo Roadtest Review – Good Gets Better

Ford introduced the Figo way back in 2010, this being the model that changed the future and also the fortunes for the American car maker in India. The Figo was received very well in its segment and it made a very good name for itself at that time. Ford then got the 2nd generation of the Figo in 2015, which is currently on sale. With the changing times and market demands, Ford has given its best-selling hatch a good and much needed refresh. We drove the 2019 Ford Figo on some excellent roads around the Blue city of Jodhpur to get you this roadtest review of this Blu car.

New photo by Motor World India / Google Photos

Exteriors

The Figo is based on Ford’s global model, the KA+ and also shares the underpinnings with the sedan version, the Aspire, which also received a refresh few months back. The 2019 Figo will be available in the top of the line Titanium Blu variant, and there would also be the Titanium variant and the base Ambient variant available. The 2019 Ford Figo remains the same in terms of dimensions and basic body styling.

New photo by Motor World India / Google Photos

What comes in with the refresh is the all new cellular design front grill in glossy black finish that gives a fresh feel to the face on the Blu variant, while the Titanium trim gets a chrome finish grill. We drove the Blu variant so we will speak of that in detail in this review. The front bumper is also redesigned and now gets the Aspire-like character styling around the fog lamps.

New photo by Motor World India / Google Photos

The Figo Blu gets a neat looking ‘C’ shape kink line finished in satin blue around the fog lamps. The headlights remain the same, while on the sides the 2019 Figo Blu comes with uprated 195/55 R15 spec Apollo Alnac 4G Tyres mounted on Matt black 15 inches alloys with multi spoke design. The side profile gets a refresh with the Blu side decals that come pasted on the lower part of the doors just above the running board.

New photo by Motor World India / Google Photos

The Wing mirrors also get glossy black housing with turn indicators placed on them, along with the contrasting black roof making things rather interesting. On the rear, things get refreshed with the Blu decal that runs across the lower part of the tailgate and an all new design bumper with similar design insert like the front. Rear parking sensors are now standard along with the rear view camera making things easier in the parking department. The Figo looks a lot trendier and dynamic in this latest avatar from the outside with this refresh.

New photo by Motor World India / Google Photos

Interiors

Step inside and you will instantly notice the black cabin area that lends a sporty feel to the occupants. The dashboard styling remains the same, what adds to the refresh is the addition of the 7-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system. This is the similar unit like the one on the Aspire, and comes with all the connectivity options which include Navigation, Radio, Bluetooth, USB, telephone connectivity etc.

New photo by Motor World India / Google Photos

Apple CarPlay and Android Connect are sorely missed on this unit but we are told by Ford officials that the system is ready for it. The three-spoke steering now comes with leather wrapping along with control buttons for audio and telephony mounted on the left side. Manual adjust for height is available on the steering. You also get push button start with this update. The seats come with new styling, black Upholstery with blue contrast stitching & special Blu badging on them. Driver’s seat comes with height adjust, while the rear seats get twin adjustable headrests.

New photo by Motor World India / Google Photos

The Blu trim also gets satin blue color inserts on the door pads. The roof lining is also in black. There are nearly 20 storage areas that include bottle holders, can holders, place to keep your mobile, keys, wallet etc neatly spread across the cabin inside here. The Figo always was a spacious car, comfort levels are high and the cabin feels and appears built to last.

New photo by Motor World India / Google Photos

Engine – Drive – Suspension

The 2019 Ford Figo is available in two petrol and one Diesel engine options. The Dragon family of engines which include the 1.2-litre 3-cylinder and 1.5-litre 4-cylinder Petrol engines now make their way to the Figo. The 1.2-litre unit comes with 96PS of power and 215 Nm of torque and is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The 1.5-litre engine makes 123bhp of power and 150Nm of torque and is mated to a 6speed torque converter automatic transmission. The Diesel engine on this lineup is the tried and trusted 1.5L TDCi unit that makes 100PS of power and 215 Nm of torque, and is mated to an all new 5-speed transmission.

New photo by Motor World India / Google Photos

We drove the 1.2L Petrol and 1.5L Diesel variants. The Diesel Figo drives extremely well and is highly potent in terms of power and torque. The car feels extremely stable and planted at all times. The new gearbox on both the Petrol and Diesel Figos is well sorted and shifts are positive. The petrol version is also very capable and an excellent highway performer. In-fact it is impossible to make out that this is a 3-cylinder 1.2L motor under the hood. Power delivery is seamless with abundance of torque available at all speeds. Both the Figos come loaded with Ford’s trademark traits of superior handling and a fun to drive.

New photo by Motor World India / Google Photos

The steering is tuned on the heavier side and feels very well weighted. Suspension is well sorted and tuned to the stiffer side which plays a key role in enhancing the overall fun factor while driving the Ford Figo. The Petrol engine feels extra peppy on the Figo due to the power to weight ratio as compared to the EcoSport or the Aspire, full marks to the all new MX65 transmission that Ford has got on to the Figo with this refresh. Overall the Figo now gets a lot better and is fun to drive in all conditions.

New photo by Motor World India / Google Photos

Safety

The 2019 Ford Figo comes loaded with safety features that include 6-airbags (2 airbags standard on the base trim), ABS with EBD, rain sensing wipers, auto headlamps, ESP, TCS, HLA, rear parking sensor with camera to name a few.

New photo by Motor World India / Google Photos

Competition Check

The 2019 Ford Figo competes with the Maruti Suzuki Swift, Hyundai Grand i10.

New photo by Motor World India / Google Photos

Verdict

The 2019 Ford Figo comes as a breath of fresh air that makes the current Figo look and feel a lot trendier and dynamic. The inclusion of the two Dragon family petrol engines makes the update sweeter, along with the 1.5L TDCi Diesel engine with an all new transmission that’s the icing on the cake. Not forgetting the Ford promise of low cost of ownership, which includes a low maintenance of around ₹1300 for the 1st year and upto ₹3500 for the 2nd year service, with a segment first 5 year warranty making this the New Age Ford a highly recommend choice in its class.

New photo by Motor World India / Google Photos