Ford Figo Titanium – More car for not much more money.

By Chad Luckhoff

Chad Luckhoff gets behind the wheel of the new Ford Figo Titanium to see where the additional premium goes to.

 

The Ford Figo is a staple in the Ford lineup, catering for those who are looking to get into the brand but don't have full-blown Fiesta money. Slotting into what is known as the B0-segment, a segment that caters for continued lines at reduced prices, in this case, compact hatchbacks, the Figo builds on the learnings from the sixth generation Ford Fiesta.

The B0-segment is a smart place to play, cars like the Volkswagen Polo Vivo and Nissan Micra Active all play here and sale figures indicate that it's a winning approach for many.

This second generation Figo is based on the sixth generation Ford Fiesta, a car that served the South African public well. Priced from R185 600, the Figo offers a more affordable way to get into a new car from Ford but we were more interested in their recent introduction of the high-spec Titanium model.

 

Styling

Here's it's still largely Figo in the sheet metal, with only a few chrome accents differentiating the Titanium model from the entry-level Ambiente and mid-range Trend models. You're still going to get the large front air dam with hockey-slick detailing around the fog lamps, only now the garnishes are finished in chrome. It adorns the fog lamp bezel and the grille and continues a theme seen in the earlier Titanium versions of the Fiesta.

The body shell is still the same 5-door hatchback affair but this new Titanium model rides on a new set of 15-inch alloy wheels.

From some angles, I still believe the Figo looks a little awkward, a mish-mash of design cues that only work together when viewing the car from the front, rear or side, with anything else making it appear to be swollen in places that it shouldn't be.

Inside is much the same as the lower-spec models apart from one major update that is sure to excite the younger, tech-savvy buyer. The Titanium model is fitted with the latest SYNC3 infotainment system, replete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Steering wheel controls for the infotainment system are included in the Titanium model and admittedly, the SYNC3 system is a pleasure to use, let down only by the budget approach to the audio speaker system.

 

The Drive

With the Figo being targeted at younger buyers it makes sense then that the Figo is rather easy to drive. I did find that the 5-speed manual gearbox would shift with a rather notchy precision, however, this could also be attributed to the low mileage of the example we were driving. Usually, I would praise a notchy, gated shift, but in a sports car and not in an economy hatchback.

The steering is light as well but has a decent feel and feedback. I only encountered instability in crosswinds on the highway and in calm conditions, the Figo managed to track straight and true, pleasantly surprising me as many of the cars in this segment have a tendency to wander and weave on centre at speeds.

 

Performance

The Figo is what one would deem adequate, but not sprightly. The Titanium model employs Ford's latest 1.5-litre Ti-VCT 3-cylinder engine that produces 88 kW and 150 Nm.

Thanks to the relatively light weight of the Figo, the power will get it up and running comfortably with traffic, only feeling the pinch on long, pronounced uphills where a lower gear will be required or when looking to overtake with urgency.

 

Space and Comfort

While not as generous as the latest Ford Fiesta, the Figo still offers respectable space with conveniently located storage bins scattered around the cabin. Head and shoulder room is rather generous and taller drivers should have no problem finding space for their heads or shoulders.

I did find the ergonomics to be off somewhat with it requiring more time than usual for me to get a seating position that I was comfortable with.

Where the Fiesta has 303-litres of boot space, the Figo has to make do with a slightly lower 256-litres. This should only present an issue though on your annual trip across the country as the space is more than enough for the daily grind.

 

Safety

It's here in the safety department where the additional cost is more than warranted. The Titanium version of the Figo benefits from dual side airbags and full-length curtain airbags to provide additional protection in the event of an accident.

The Titanium also comes with Ford's MyKey, a system that allows users to program a key setting that can prevent phone calls from being made while in motion, impose a speed limiter, limit the audio system's maximum volume and also prevent the audio from being played at all if the seatbelts have not been fastened. Additional peace of mind for parents who are setting their precious cargo free on the roads.

Titanium models, as with the lower-spec variants, are equipped with ABS and EBD as standard. It also comes with a reverse camera to make parking considerably easier.

 

Fuel Consumption

The fuel consumption is quoted at 5.7l/100km on the combined cycle and our time with the car returned figures close enough to warrant believing that this claim is attainable with some careful driving. Mid-6s are entirely possible with the figure creeping to just over 7l/100km when bustling through the daily commute.

 

Price

The Ford Figo starts from R185 600 and the Titanium model retails for R219 900. This is rather acceptable considering the additional safety and technology that is included in the package. It's backed by a 4-year / 120 000 km warranty and 4-year / 60 000 km service plan.

 

The Verdict

The little Figo is more than agreeable and in a way is managing to stand on its own two feet, away from the Fiesta on which it is based. There's just enough tech in it to keep it relevant and fresh by today's standards and the new engine should prove to provide many years of hassle-free motoring.

If the budget extends to the R220 000 price tag then it is one, that I would say, warrants test driving.

     
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