The new has replaced the old. But does the second-generation Figo impress from behind the wheel? We find out.
This being a Ford, we had to scrutinise it thoroughly for ride and handling. The results are largely positive. There is some un-Ford-like slack at the steering but ride and handling in general is good by class standards. The steering has a decent weight to it, low-speed ride is absorbent enough and high- speed body movements are well contained. Ford seems to have addressed the bottoming-out issue that plagued the old Figo too. In fact, ground clearance is a class-best 174mm.
What also deserves a mention here is the high level of refinement. Good insulation means road, wind and engine noise are rarely a bother. The engines are quiet in their own right though you can feel a buzz on the steering of diesel engine-equipped Figos.
Should I buy one?
Ford had got the first Figo right and it seems they’ve managed to repeat history with this one. It’s really impressive. The new Figo is smart-looking, comes with a roomy enough interior and also is loaded with plenty of features. To many, the impressive safety kit on board the Figo should be reason enough to be very interested in it. Overall performance is also good whether you opt for the petrol automatic or diesel manual and you won’t have much to complain about the way it drives or rides either. Sure, it's missing some of the sparkle that makes Ford’s special but by class standards it's still one of the best around. Where the Figo doesn’t quite impress is in interior quality. The cabin doesn’t feel quite as special as the competition’s, but that’s one of the Figo’s only big shortcomings.
What does help the Figo is its attractive pricing. Ford has priced the Figo diesel at Rs 5.29-7.40 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The top-spec Titanium+ trim is pricey but all other trim levels are at par with similarly-specced versions of the Hyundai Grand i10 and the Maruti Swift, both of which are significantly down on power to the Ford. The sole variant of the Figo automatic also offers enough to justify its Rs 6.91 lakh price tag. On the whole, the new Figo fits the bill as a great all-rounder. Much like the last one did.