Ford has launched the facelifted 2019 Figo hatchback at prices starting from Rs 5.15 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). It is Ford’s entry-level model in India and competes in the midsize hatchback segment. The new Figo now gets more features than before along with minor cosmetic updates. But how does the new package hold up against similarly priced variants of the segment leader, Maruti Swift.
But first, let’s have a look at the proportions, engines and prices of the two hatchbacks.
Dimensions
- The Figo is longer than the Swift, and has a longer wheelbase too.
The Swift is wider and taller than the Ford.
The Swift is significantly lighter than the Figo, even in its heaviest variant.
Engines
Petrol
- The 2019 Figo gets a pair of new 3-cylinder Dragon series petrol engines that are amongst the most powerful and torquiest in the segment.
Ford only offers a petrol-automatic option with the larger 1.5-litre engine which comes paired to a 6-speed torque convertor.
Maruti offers a higher fuel economy from its petrol engine in both manual and automatic variants.
Diesel
- The outgoing Figo’s 1.5-litre diesel engine has been carried forward. It is still the most powerful diesel engine in its segment, and the one with the most torque too.
The Swift’s 1.3-litre diesel engine not only offers better fuel efficiency, but also comes with an AMT option for added convenience.
Ford, however, does not offer an automatic option with the diesel engine.
Variants
To keep it fair, we will only be comparing variants that have a price difference of Rs 50,000 or less. Also, we will only compare variants with similar powertrains, i.e., petrol-manual with petrol-manual and likewise for the automatic options. Here are the prices of the variants that we will be comparing. Prices of all variants are mentioned at the end of the article.
All prices mentioned in this article are ex-showroom, Delhi and have been rounded off to the nearest thousand.
Ford Figo 2019 Ambiente vs Maruti Swift L (both petrol and diesel variants)
Common features: Dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, manual AC, driver seatbelt reminder, tilt-adjustable steering, front 12V socket, body coloured bumpers and 14-inch steel wheels.
What Figo Ambiente offers over Swift L: Rear parking sensors, rear fog lamps, day/night IRVM, co-passenger seatbelt reminder and auto door lock.
What Swift L offers over Figo Ambiente: LED elements in tail lamps and ISOFIX child seat anchors.
Verdict: The 2019 Figo would be our pick over the Swift, especially in the case of the diesel variant, where it’s more feature-rich and yet more affordable. For petrol buyers, Figo’s additional features like day/night IRVM, rear parking sensors and auto door lock will offer convenience and it will be worth spending Rs 16,000 on the Figo petrol Ambiente over the Swift Lxi. However, if you have a small child in the family, the Maruti offers ISOFIX child seat anchors which are not available on the Figo. And in this case, you should pick the Swift.
Ford Figo 2019 Titanium 1.5D vs Maruti Swift VDI
Common features (over previous variants): Auto door lock, tachometer, power windows front and rear, day/night IRVM, keyless entry, steering mounted audio and phone controls, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, body coloured ORVMs, indicators on ORVMs, power adjustable ORVMs and height-adjustable driver’s seat.
What Figo Titanium offers over Swift VDI: Push-button start, rear parking camera, power folding ORVMs, adjustable rear seat headrests, rear defogger, front fog lamps, 14-inch alloys, auto AC, 7-inch infotainment system, co-driver seat belt reminder and rear parking sensors.
What Swift VDI offers over Figo Titanium: LED elements in taillamps and ISOFIX child seat anchors.
Verdict: The Figo diesel Titanium is an easy pick here over the Swift VDi as it is significantly better equipped and completely justifies the extra cost. However, the Figo does not offer ISOFIX child seat mounts unlike the Maruti hatchback. So those with a small child in the family are better off picking the Swift for the safety of the child.
Ford Figo 2019 Titanium 1.2P vs Maruti Swift ZXI
Common features (over previous variants): Front fog lamps, push-button stop-start, auto AC, power folding ORVMs, rear defogger, adjustable rear seat headrests, alloy wheels and rear parking sensors.
What Figo Titanium offers over Swift ZXI: 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, rear parking camera.
What Swift ZXI offers over Figo Titanium: Rear wiper and washer, LED elements in taillamps, ISOFIX child seat anchors and 60:40 split rear seats.
Verdict: With the ISOFIX anchors, the Swift ZXi should continue to be the pick for those who often travel with a child. But for everyone else, the Figo Titanium petrol makes for a more sensible purchase.
Ford Figo 2019 Titanium Blu 1.5D vs Maruti Swift ZDI
Common features (over previous variants): 15-inch alloy wheels.
What Figo Titanium Blu offers over Swift ZDI: Rain sensing wipers, side and curtain airbags (six total), auto headlamps, auto-dimming IRVM and dual-tone roof,
What Swift ZDI offers over Figo Titanium Blu: LED elements in taillamps, ISOFIX child seat anchors and 60:40 split rear seats.
Verdict: Despite its premium, the top-spec Figo is the one we’d pick at this price point because of the extra features and added safety of six airbags. However, it still misses out on ISOFIX child seat anchors which are offered as standard on the Swift.
Ford Figo 2019 Titanium Blu 1.2P vs Maruti Swift ZXI+
Common features (over previous variants): Auto headlamps, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, reverse parking camera, rear washer and wiper.
What Figo Titanium Blu offers over Swift ZXI+: Auto-dimming IRVM, rain sensing wipers.
What Swift ZXI+ offers over Figo Titanium Blu: ISOFIX child seat anchors, LED DRLS, LED projector headlamps, LED elements in taillamps, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility for the infotainment system, 60:40 split folding rear seats and two additional speakers (tweeters).
Verdict: Between the top-spec variants of the petrol-manual Swift and the Figo, the Swift is our pick despite the significant premium. It has everything the Ford hatch should have had in terms of top-spec features and also justifies the extra cost.
Ford Figo 2019 Titanium 1.5P AT vs Maruti Swift ZXI+AGS
Common features (over previous variants): None.
What Figo Titanium AT offers over Swift ZXI+ AGS: Electronic stability program, traction control system and hill launch assist.
What Swift ZXI+ AGS offers over Figo Titanium AT: Auto headlamps, ISOFIX child seat anchors, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, rear washer and wiper, LED elements in taillamps, LED projector headlamps, LED DRLs and split folding rear seats.
Verdict: Purely in terms of value for money and the added features, the Swift ZXI+ AMT is the car to pick here. The Figo’s torque converter automatic transmission is the more sophisticated automatic transmissions of the two and that’s what makes it more expensive.
Variants and Prices
All prices ex-showroom Delhi
Source: cardekho.com
