Old Ford Figo - Old is good

Old Ford Figo - Old is good

I specifically added 'Old' in the title because I did not like the new Figo. While it's still better than other cars, it's not as good as its predecessor. Almost 40 months ago, when I wanted to buy a car, did the usual research on websites, blogs, spoke to friends, went around showrooms, test drives, and all of that. After some amount of due diligence, Ford Figo seemed like more than a decent option considering all factors - price, maintenance, mileage, and other aspects. It hasn't disappointed at all. Its stability is much better than many sedans, can clock surprising speeds and still give you an economical drive. While the low turning radius is a boon in traffic-clogged city lanes, the expressways are also a breeze. Driveability is a big plus for this hatch which does give a heavy feel at times. The steering is never that heavy, though. It might not be a powerhouse but just about enough. My service costs haven't been high either and thankfully haven't had the need to spend a lot on spare parts yet. It's much spacious than it looks and even the boot space is quite good. The legroom for the rear row is also decent. Even the overall build is good. The powerful and chiller AC is a relief during summers. The Bluetooth phone sync works absolutely fine and easy to operate. Ok, this is now sounding like a rosy tale! You're going to get a perfect car anyway. While the Figo has a big list of pros, it's not without cons. So, here's the other side of the coin: The cabin noise can irritate you, especially if the AC and audio are not switched on. Like I mentioned earlier also, it's not a powerhouse. The interiors could have also been more thoughtful and some basic features are missing, even the top end version does not have rear power windows and no one push button for the driver mirror. Ther's isn't enough place for your water bottles either, especially if you're going on a long drive. Ground clearance could be a problem on some roads. The headlamps are a bit dull even on high beam and if you have got a car with LED lights or projector lights coming in the opposite direction, the windshield also does not do a great job. Not sure if it was the wipers or the windshield, on a rainy day when it was pouring (2-3 months after I got my car, so the first monsoon), the wipers just did not help and I actually had to stop for a while. Shift to the second gear is clumsy at times. Not sure if these issues influence car buying decisions but given what the car offers, I personally think these are manageable. Some of them are good to have but the list of good features is long enough to sway in favor of the car anyway. In all, the old Ford Figo is a value for money car, no second thoughts there.