Ford Figo review, road test

The last Figo aced this section of our test, so it’s a bit hard to break the news that the new one isn’t quite as special in the handling department. There is some un-Ford-like slack at the steering and it doesn’t feel quite as sure-footed as the last one did around the corners. But that’s not to say the Ford isn’t nice to drive, because dynamics are actually good by class standards. The steering has decent weight to it (it feels better calibrated than the Aspire), high speed body movements are well contained and the brakes offer great feel and stopping power.

Straightline speed stability is also really good. However, at slower speeds, the Figo tends to feel a bit stiff-kneed on all but the smoothest city roads. The small 14-inch tyres also get swallowed by large potholes. The suspension does work quietly and bump absorption is generally good, but that little bit of Ford magic is missing on this Figo.

What is noteworthy though is that Ford seems to have addressed the bottoming-out issue that plagued the old Figo. Ground clearance on the new Figo is actually a class-best 174mm.