Johannesburg – The new Figo aims to take over its predecessor’s mantle and be a budget-beating budget car for the people. Considering the success of the previous model, it has a lot to live up to. Fortunately Ford’s pitch with the new Figo seems unchanged: the newcomer still has a young and playful nature, but thanks to a new platform and engine it should appeal to an even broader audience than before.
The previous Figo earned its place as the favorite budget B-segment hatchback in our April 2014 match-up against its rivals (Renault Sandero, Polo Vivo and Toyota Etios), because of the way it balanced performance and affordability. As a result, the new Figo has some very big shoes to fill, but considering that this is the only model in this segment that offers a diesel variant, it appears a convincing following act.
Outside
However, Ford wants to market the Figo as more than a rebadged Fiesta courtesy of an individual appearance with bolder features. It has some design queues that are consistent with the Ford brand, such as the trapezoidal grille and stretched-out headlamps. It’s not as attractive as the Fiesta or the Fusion, for example and from some angles it does look ungainly. The new design has also been given sharper lines and indentations along the panels, but other than those changes, the basic and economic theme of the previous models remain.
Inside
The interior treatment of the Trend package represents a significant step-up from that of the previous model. It’s not what one would call premium (there are a plethora of hard plastic trimmings), but the layout is very modern thanks to the implementation of the Fiesta’s audio system and climate control panel. The new MyDock feature creates a docking station on the dash by inserting grips into the storage compartment’s flap so that a driver would be able to use their phone as an infotainment system and for satellite navigation.
Touch items such as the steering wheel, gearlever, handbrake and seat upholstery have also been endowed with either soft and smooth textures, which adds pleasantness to the driving experience. The new dash design is also more pleasant to use and modern in terms of its layout, but it feels a tad too similar to the environment of a base Fiesta. I didn’t perceive any significant quality niggles in the cabin, which is laid out well, however the lack of a footrest next to the clutch is quite irritating for those who are used to having one.
The drive
The new Figo is powered by a turbocharged 1,5-litre diesel engine that delivers 74 kW and 215 N.m of torque, which does an admirable job of shifting the Ford’s 1 000 kg mass. In general use the newcomer’s nimble, which makes it perfect for urban and city driving. The refinement of the diesel engine is also refreshing; it’s complemented by a smooth-feeling electric power steering setup and an impressively pliant ride quality (even on rural roads). Overall, the Fia has a well-insulated interior that blocks a lot of wind and road noise.
At higher speeds the Figo has good road holding, light crosswinds do affect its stability. The tip-out calibration on the throttle is also tricky to master – it makes Figo continue accelerating for a short moment after you’ve lifted off the pedal, which can be quite disconcerting in city conditions. What’s more, the clutch is a bit sticky when pulling away from a standing start and may require a bit more familiarisation.
Summary
The Figo remains an impressive product that stands out in its field and possess those Ford characteristics that fans of the brand will enjoy. It doesn’t feel like as refined as a product compared with the slightly more expensive base-level Mazda 2 and Opel Corsa models, but it comes close enough. The diesel engine is surprisingly impressive for its segment and should be the recommended choice, however it is only available in the Ambiente and Trend packages, which may prove too basic for some, especially younger, consumers.
With prices starting at R158 900, the Figo is still a competitive product even at the Titanium level (R181 900), however the price list of the Figo range has now made it more expensive than the old but trusted Polo Vivo; a car that has historically been more successful than its Blue Oval rival. At R199 900, this model begs the question: how much is a diesel engine in a budget hatchback really worth to you?
