Long-term Review: Ford Figo 1.2 Duratec Titanium

The Figo, ultimately, is a cleverly packaged little hatch with loads of appeal.

We all know how overwhelming moving day can be. Between packing and arranging all the boxes; there always is a sense of uncertainty of cramming them all into the truck which, more often than not, happens to have very little room to fit in the excess baggage. Thankfully, our long-term Figo arrived just in time and was gladly welcomed home.

With the rear bench folded down and the boot loaded up with all sorts of stuff conceivable, the little Ford was put to work within minutes after arriving. On the whole, the Figo has faithfully served its time as an excellent little urban runabout with plenty of character.

As it gets ready to depart later this week, here are a few final thoughts after a couple of months behind the wheel. 

Having received a mid-life update back in late 2012, the refreshed Figo indeed is bit of an oddball in the small car space, and not just in the way it looks, but the way it feels and drives. To begin with, Ford presented it with a heavily revised exterior design denoting the then-new face of the brand.

Considering that mid-life makeovers are not always good news and the fact that facelifted models, more often than not, look more offensive than the cars they replace; Ford has done a convincing job of hiding the car’s age: the Figo is based on quite an old platform, after all. However, step inside and you come across very few things which are endearing. Allow me to explain.

The interior of the Figo has been faced with severe criticism ever since it first arrival in the market. Even in the Titanium trim – the most expensive variant of the lot, our long-term companion rarely felt luxurious and inviting. Although it is not to say that the cabin is particularly old-school or anything, it is still a few notches below the Hyundai i10 when it comes to design and overall layout.   

Equipment-list isn’t exactly a positive talking point either. While there’s a decent-sounding audio system with Bluetooth connectivity, adjustable steering column and plenty of cubby holes for storing knick-knacks, Ford has been rather stingy with the most basic of features – the rear windows, for instance, come with manual adjustment. The instrument panel, too, is quite basic. 

I did, however, enjoy the excellent air-conditioning which is potent enough to chill the cabin right down within minutes, even in the hottest of days.  Another notable mention for the cabin is the impressive amount of space there is. Given how compact it is on the outside, it is indeed surprising how comfortable the Figo is. The cabin space and the 294-litre boot, in fact, are comparable to some of the higher segment hatchbacks.       

As for the ergonomics, the Figo scored well, if not quite as well as the competition. While it’s fairly easy to get comfortable behind the wheel or in any of the passenger seats, there are a few quirky bits that need getting used to. Having said that, one feature I very much appreciate is the conveniently placed boot release button: finding it right besides the steering wheel somehow seems much more convenient than having to reach underneath the driver’s seat. 

Get past the slightly upsetting cabin and the Figo makes for a genuinely solid and somewhat enjoyable car to drive – in the city, anyway. By no means is it any more powerful than its rivals (our long-termer with the 1.2-litre four-pot petrol engine certainly is no tarmac scorcher) but it more than makes up for it in the way it drives, especially when the going gets rough or twisty.

Ford, as we know, always manages to get the ride and handling balance of its cars spot on, and the Figo is no different. The ride quality is good enough to put a lot of more expensive cars to shame. Be it bumps over broken patches of roads or heavy undulations on the highway; the Figo takes most of the roads in its stride with ease and manages to offer a comfortable ride.    

As for the handling, the Figo is very much an enthusiast’s vehicle for the budget minded, thanks to its low-slung stance, a rather stiff suspension setup ensuring minimal body roll and a direct and feel some steering to dart its way around the corners. Sure it could have done with a stronger set of brakes and more importantly – a feistier engine to really exploit the handling capabilities. 

While more power would indeed be welcomed, I found myself more than happy to constantly get fuel efficiency of over 10 kmpl over varied driving conditions. Although it is to be noted that the petrol-powered Figo is the least fuel efficient car in its class, not that I’m complaining!

Verdict

Wrapping up the test: few liked the dated layout of the cabin or the straight-line performance, but many warmed to the Figo’s comfortable cabin and the way it drove, almost giving the impression of a premium hatchback. All in all, the petrol powered Figo makes for a cleverly packaged little hatch, one that's packed with decent amount of zest and appeal.        

A Quick Look

Variant: Ford Figo 1.2 Duratec Titanium Petrol

Engine and Gearbox: 1196cc, four-cylinder petrol engine; 5-speed manual gearbox

Kilometers covered during the test: 2000km

Overall Fuel Efficiency:  10-12kmpl

Service and Repair: Nil