The new Ford Figo AT is powered by the same 1.2L 3-cylinder engine that produces 96 PS and 119 Nm. The car comes with a new Sport Mode and SelectShift features. In the Sport Mode, the transmission will select the optimum gear with shifts happening faster for more responsive driving delivering the best performance. While the SelectShift feature will enable the driver to change gears manually using a toggle switch on the gearshift lever.

Also Read: Upcoming Ford EcoSport Facelift Spied in New Orange Colour

Some of the other key features of the new Ford Figo AT include rain-sensing wipers, electrochromic IRVM, and a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen infotainment system. In terms of safety, the hatchback is equipped with standard dual airbags as well as side and curtain airbags. Ford India also provides traction control, electronic stability control, and hill-start assist features.

The new Ford Figo is also the only automatic hatchback to offer a globally renowned mobility and connectivity solution FordPassTM at no additional cost. It allows owners to perform several vehicle operations remotely like starting, stopping, locking or unlocking.

The Titanium trim of the Ford Figo AT has been priced at INR 7.75 lakh whereas the Titanium+ model costs INR 8.20 lakh. There are 5 colour options - Diamond White, Ruby Red, Moondust Silver, Smoke Grey and White Gold. Ford India is providing a 3-year or 1,00,000 km standard warranty with the Figo.

Speaking at the launch of the new Ford Figo AT, Vinay Raina, executive director for Marketing, Sales & Service at Ford India, said:

With a proven legacy of outstanding performance, unmatched safety, superior technology and segment-best connectivity, we are confident that the new Figo AT will be an automatic choice for several new buyers who don’t believe in look-alike automatics like AMT.

All prices are ex-showroom, Delhi

The new Ford Figo AT will be launched in India on Thursday, 22 July. Apart from that, no other information has been released by the company. However, it is being speculated that the new Figo is likely to be equipped with a 6-speed torque converter that also does duty in the current Ford EcoSport. Powering the Figo AT would be a 1.2L 3-cylinder engine that would produce 95 horsepower and 119 Nm of peak torque.

Also Read: Ford EcoSport Facelift with Eye-Catching LED DRLs/Indicators Spied

Currently, the Ford Figo is available in 3 variants - Ambiente, Titanium, and Titanium Blu - with prices starting at INR 5.82 lakh (ex-showroom). All models have manual transmission options. Ford India might add the speculated 6-speed torque converter in the higher-end variants of the hatchback. The company is also expected to introduce the AT in the Aspire and Freestyle versions in the future.

Except for the petrol engine, a diesel engine option is also available with the current Ford Figo. It’s a 1.5L mill that is capable of churning out 99 horsepower and a healthy 215 Nm of torque.

Also Read: Modified Ford Endeavour with Ford F-150 Raptor Body Kit Looks Wicked

In terms of features, the upcoming Ford Figo AT should see nothing new. It would have the same exterior design featuring decent-size headlamps separated by a large front grille. Depending on the colour and variant, the new model might offer chrome and black treatments on the outside. The interior of the hatchback would also remain untouched with features such as a touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, engine push to start/stop button, etc to be present.

Stay to tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for the latest Ford updates and other four-wheeler news.

Fastest cars in India under 20 lakhs – Kia Seltos

The first entry on our list of the fastest cars in India under 20 lakhs is the Kia Seltos. The compact SUV has been a consistent top seller since its launch, helping the South Korean automaker establish itself really quickly in the Indian auto market. The top of the line Seltos GT comes with a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine that makes 140 PS and 242 Nm of peak power and torque. The powertrain compliments the SUV’s sporty and aggressive design, with the Seltos GT coming with features like full LED headlamps and DRLs, signature red grille inserts, grey metallic alloy wheels, and dual exhaust pipes. Moving to the interior, the Seltos GT gets a chrome upholstery package, brushed stainless steel pedals and GT branding. Safety features include dual airbags, ABS with EBD, cornering lights, parking sensors front and rear, and a reversing camera.

• Acceleration – 0 to 100 in 9 Seconds
• Maximum Speed – 190 kmph

Honda City

The next car on our list of fastest cars in India under Rs 20 lakhs is the Honda City. The latest fifth-generation City is powered by a 1.5-litre i-VTEC DOHC petrol engine that churns out peak power and torque outputs of 121 PS and 145 Nm, respectively. The fifth-generation City’s design is an evolution of the last model with sleeker headlamps, redesigned front bumper, and a sculpted lip spoiler on the boot lid. The interior of the new City has been given a more noticeable upgrade with a new, premium dashboard with soft-touch panels and a touchscreen infotainment system with inbuilt Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Safety features on the fifth-generation City include six airbags, ABS with EBD, front seat belts with pre-tensioner load limiter, and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera

• Acceleration – 0 to 100 in 11 Seconds
• Maximum Speed – 180 kmph

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

Hyundai’s Grand i10 Nios is the third car on our list of fastest cars in India under 20 lakhs in India. The hatchback’s fastest variant is powered by a 1-litre turbo-petrol that makes 100 PS and 171 of peak power and torque figures. Other engine options include a 1.2-litre N/A petrol making 83 PS and 114 Nm peak power and torque and a 1.2-litre diesel that makes peak power and torque figures of 75 PS and 190 Nm, respectively. The turbo-petrol engine coupled with the Grand i10 Nios’ light weight gives it a good power-to-weight ratio, helping the hatchback post quick acceleration figures.

The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios’s top variants come loaded with features like an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 5.3-inch semi-digital instrument cluster, a USB charger at the front and a power outlet at the rear, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, rear parking camera, electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMS and more.

• Acceleration – 0 to 100 in 10 Seconds on Turbo Petrol
• Maximum Speed – 170 kmph

Hyundai Creta

Hyundai makes another appearance on our list of fastest cars in India under 20 lakh rupees with the Creta. The flagship Creta Turbo comes with a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine that makes 140 PS and 242 Nm of peak power and torque figures. The turbo models of the second-generation Creta get projector headlights, a contrasting black coloured roof, rear spoiler, and diamond-cut alloy wheels. Moving to the interior, the Creta comes with features like a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, including a panoramic sunroof, wireless charger, ventilated front seats, automatic climate control, cruise control, an electronic parking brake, push-button start and more.

• Acceleration – 0 to 100 kmpl in 9 Seconds
• Maximum Speed – 190 kmph

Ford Figo

The last entrant in our list on our list of fastest cars in India under 20 lakhs is the Ford Figo Sports Edition. The hatchback is powered by a 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine that makes peak power and torque figures of 100 PS and 215 Nm, respectively. The Figo Sports Edition gets a few unique touches on the exterior like black headlamp surrounds, a black front grille, and dual-tone exteriors with dynamic graphics. Moving to the interior, the Figo Sports Edition gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel with red stitches, lunar grey interior applique, proteus black centre stack bezel, and single tone chrome black environment. The Ford Figo Sports edition comes with safety features like dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, engine immobilizer, keyless entry and perimeter alarm.

• Acceleration – 12.76 Seconds
• Maximum Speed – 165-175 kmph

We would particularly like to talk about the Ford Figo, of which the company sold just a single unit in the Indian market last month. Even in March 2021, Ford sold 219 units of the Figo, thus recording a massive 99.5% decline in sales in April 2021 on a month-on-month basis. It's worth noting here that the Figo-based Freestyle cross-hatch fared much better with 635 units sold in April 2021, even though it recorded a 7.84% dip in sales on a month-on-month basis. Given the fact that April 2020 was famously the month in which no automaker sold a single car in the country, a year-on-year comparison is not much relevant here.

Also Read : Next Generation Maruti Swift Visualized By The Japanese

In comparison, the Maruti Suzuki Swift, which is one of the main rivals of the Figo, sold 18,316 units in April 2021. The Maruti Swift has consistently been the best selling hatchback in its class and its sales figures are mostly miles ahead of the competition. The Swift had consistently been sitting at the top of monthly sales charts for several months in a row, but was only narrowly beaten by the Maruti WagonR in April 2021, coming out as the second best selling model in the country last month. Its worth noting that even the Swift posted a 15.65% month-on-month dip in sales.

The simple reason for the Ford Figo for not being so popular anymore is that it has become a dated product. Ford hasn't updated the hatchback in quite some time and that shows in its exterior and interior packaging, missing a few key features that the competition have moved ahead with. And that's despite the fact that the Figo is offered with two engine options, more importantly a diesel engine, which sure is a novelty in the segment. Engine options on the Figo include a 96PS, 1.2L NA 3-cylinder petrol engine and a 100PS 1.5L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. Prices for the Ford Figo currently range between INR 5.82 - 8.37 lakh (ex-showroom).

Meanwhile, Maruti Suzuki updated the Swift with a mid-life facelift earlier this year. Although exterior and interior updates were only minor - with a subtly revised grille and inclusion of newer features such as cruise control, a coloured MID and auto-folding ORVMs - the new Swift got a comprehensive update under its hood. The 2021 Swift is solely powered by a 90PS 1.2L NA 4-cylinder petrol engine. Compared to the older Swift, power figure has gone up by 7PS and it even features mild-hybrid tech. Prices for the 2021 Maruti Suzuki Swift currently range between INR 5.73 - 8.41 lakh (ex-showroom).

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Ford and Maruti Suzuki updates and other four-wheeler news.

The model most affected by this price hike is the Ford Endeavour, prices of which have gone up by a massive INR 80,000. The Endeavor is available in four variants - Titanium 4x2, Titanium+ 4x2, Titanium+ 4x4 and Sport 4x4. The price of the base Titanium 4x2 variant remains unchanged. Meanwhile, the price of Titanium+ 4x2 and Titanium+ 4x4 variants have been increased by INR 70,000 each. The top-spec Sport 4x4 sees a price hike of INR 80,000. Prices for the Endeavour currently ranges between INR 29.99 - 36.25 lakh (ex-showroom).

Also Read : Ford Endeavour vs Toyota Fortuner vs MG Gloster - Braking Test

Moving on to Ford's other SUV, the EcoSport, the sub-compact model sees a price hike of INR 20,000 across the range. The Ford EcoSport is available in five trim levels - Ambiente, Trend, Titanium, SE, and S - for both the petrol and diesel versions. Expect for the diesel Titanium variant, prices of all other trims for both petrol and diesel models have been increased by INR 20,000. Prices for the EcoSport currently range between INR 8.19 - 11.69 lakh (ex-showroom).

As for the Ford Figo and Ford Freestyle hatchbacks, both models see a consistent price hike of INR 18,000 across the range. Both the models are powered by a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. Petrol variants of the Figo are available in three trims - Ambiente, Titanium and Titanium Blu. Meanwhile, the diesel version comes in tow trims - Titanium and Titanium Blu. Prices for the Figo now range between INR 5.82 - 8.37 lakh (ex-showroom). As for the Freestyle, both petrol and diesel versions of the cross-hatch are available in three trims - Titanium, Titanium+ and Flair. Prices for the Freestyle now range between INR 7.27 - 9.02 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Ford Aspire sub-compact sedan has been least affected by this price hike. Available in two trims across both its petrol and diesel versions - Titanium and Titanium+ - the Aspire sees a price hike of just INR 3,000 across the range.  Prices for the Aspire now range between INR 7.27 - 8.72 lakh (ex-showroom). This is the second price hike that Ford has rolled out on its models this year. With the two increments, Ford cars are now pricier by up to Rs 1.15 lakh.

Stay to tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for the latest Ford updates and other four-wheeler news.

Although the manufacturer hasn't announced the exact extent of the price hike, it will vary from model to model. We believe the price hike could be up to 3% for each model. Ford currently has five models on sale in India - Figo, Aspire, Freestyle, EcoSport and the Endeavor. Just some time ago, Ford already hiked the prices of Aspire, Figo, and Freestyle along with a variant rejig. Here's a detailed look at the current price range of each of these models.

Also Read : Ford Equator Unveiled in China; Bigger Than Endeavour

If you have been eyeing any of the Ford vehicles recently, and do not want to pay a higher price from April 2021, you should go ahead and book your Ford vehicle immediately as the carmaker is offering discounts of up to INR 29,000 on all their models. The offers are valid only till the end of March or till stocks last. The benefits include an exchange bonus of up to INR 20,000 and loyal bonus and corporate discounts of INR 5,000 and INR 4,000 respectively.

In more recent news, Ford recently launched a new SE trim of the EcoSport sub-compact SUV. The biggest talking point about this new trim is its rear tail gate design. The SE trim loses out on the EcoSport's distinctive tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and as such, the entire tail gate is different from the standard model. Incidentally, the new Ford Ecosport SE is actually similar to the version that's sold in international markets like Europe and North America.

Ford has also been prepping a new mid-size SUV for the Indian market that will slot in between the EcoSport and the Endeavor in the carmaker's lineup. This new mid-size SUV was being prepped on the same platform as the upcoming second-gen Mahindra XUV500. However, Ford and Mahindra now having called off their JV, the fate of the Ford mid-size SUV is yet to be decided. Expected to launch sometime in 2022, it will rival the likes of the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV500, and MG Hector Plus.

Stay to tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for the latest Ford updates and other four-wheeler news.

Tata Altroz

The Tata Altroz which is the first name in the list of best diesel hatchbacks under 10 lakh, was introduced as the brand’s first-ever premium hatchback that goes against players like the Hyundai i20, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and its twin, the Toyota Glanza; and not to mention, the Honda Jazz. Tata Altroz gets many segment-first innovations like 90-degree opening doors for easy ingress and egress and is also the most value-for-money offering in the segment with prices starting at INR 5.69 lakh*. The starting price of the Altroz diesel range is at Rs 6.99 Lakh.

In terms of powertrain options, the car gets petrol, a turbo petrol as well as a diesel engine. The diesel unit is a 1.5-litre engine that delivers 89 bhp and 200Nm of torque. Tata is offering a sole manual transmission option throughout the range. In terms of features, the top-of-the-line XZ trim gets keyless entry and start, electric ORVMs, and cruise control. Also on offer are flat-bottom, tilt-adjustable steering with controls for audio and voice commands. The driver’s seat is height adjustable. There’s a single zone digital climate control system with rear AC vents along with a Harman touchscreen multimedia system complete with Andriod Auto and Apple Carplay.

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

The i10 has been an ever-popular badge in the hatchback segment in India and with its latest update, Hyundai has made the package a lot more attractive with modern features and laudable powertrain options. The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios offers first-in-segment features like a wireless phone charger, 7.9-inch touch screen infotainment system - a multi-media system equipped with smartphone connectivity - Android Auto, Apple Car Play, voice recognition function along with i-Blue smartphone app support. It also features the Arkamys Premium Sound System with four modes to choose from – Natural, Live, Lounge and Club. Safety features in the car come in the form of driver and passengers airbags and seat belt warning.

While there's a petrol and turbo petrol option available at your disposable, there's also a diesel option, which is a 1.2-litre engine that outputs 74 bhp at 4000 rpm and 190 Nm at 1750 rpm. The diesel engine comes mated to both a manual and an AMT gearbox, making it an attractive choice for those looking for an affordable diesel automatic as well. Prices for the diesel variants of the car begins at INR 7.12 lakh* for the Magna CRDi variant and goes up to INR 8.27 lakh* for the Sportz variant and it competes against the Maruti Suzuki Swift and Ford Figo.

Ford Figo

The Ford Figo has a firm ground among the competent hatchbacks in India. Ahead of its transition to BS-VI emission norms, the car had undergone a midlife facelift that made the offering more appealing. Instead of substantial changes, Ford decided to give the car small updates that made the car look fresher and more modern. The changes came in the front with a new grille that is more protruding than before and makes the front look a bit bolder. At the sides, ford has retained the silhouette and was largely similar except for the new chiselled bumper.

On the inside, the car comes with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, it is not the Sync3 unit that you will find on the Freestyle and the Aspire. While this does not prove to be a deal-breaker, it should be noted that phone mirroring features, which means no Android Auto, no Apple CarPlay and no mirror link either. Mechanically, the diesel powertrain is a 1.5-litre diesel engine that delivers 99 bhp and 215 Nm of torque. The transmission option is a sole 5-speed manual gearbox. More than anything, the Ford Figo comes with a best-in-class 6 airbags on the top variant. Currently, Ford is positioning the Figo at around Rs 5.64 - 8.19 Lakh* in India with the diesel range starting from Rs 7.74 Lakh*.

Hyundai i20

Like i10, the Hyundai i20 has been a popular name in the premium hatchback segment of India and its new avatar, the i20 comes with features loaded to the brim. The car now comes with Hyundai’s Blue Link connectivity system that comes along with 50+ connected features along with OTA updates. The new version, according to Hyundai is made up of 66 per cent high-strength steel and is lighter than before. The car benefits from a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay. Also on offer, on the top-spec Asta (O) trim is a digital instrument cluster, a 7 speaker Bose sound system, sunroof, a wireless phone charger, ambient lighting and much more.

In terms of safety, the car gets 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, vehicle stability management and hill start assist, to name a few. The diesel option in question is a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder unit that is also present in the Venue. As of now, Hyundai only provides the engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox in the new i20. The unit delivers 99 bhp at 4000 rpm and 240 Nm at 1500 rpm. There's also a petrol and a turbo petrol engine to opt for. Be it a popular diesel hatchback car under 10 lakh, the Hyundai i20 Diesel is going on sale within Rs 8.19 - 9.14 Lakh*.

Ford Freestyle

Last on our list of best diesel hatchbacks under 10 lakh is the Ford Freestyle, Ford Figo based CUV or utility hatchback that is being offered in both petrol and diesel engine options. While the petrol-powered Freestyle is available in five variants: Ambiente, Trend, Titanium, Titanium+, and Flair, the diesel-powered Freestyle comes in four: Trend, Titanium, Titanium+, and Flair. At its heart, the diesel powertrain is a 1.5-litre diesel engine that delivers 99 bhp and 215 Nm of torque. The transmission option is a sole 5-speed manual gearbox.

In terms of safety, the Freestyle gets up to six airbags, auto headlamps, auto-dimming IRVM, rain-sensing wipers, Active Rollover Protection, and ABS with EBD among others. In terms of features, it gets the Ford Pass connected car tech, push-button start/stop, and more. In the domestic market, the Freestyle goes up against the likes of Renault Triber, Maruti Suzuki Swift, Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, and Ford Figo. The prices of the Ford Freestyle diesel is at around 8.19 - 8.84 Lakh*, making it one of the good diesel hatchbacks under 10 Lakh in India.

*Ex-showroom prices

Maruti Suzuki Swift vs Ford Figo vs Hyundai Grand i10 Nios - Dimensions

In terms of length, the Ford Figo is the longest hatchback here. The Swift is about 100mm shorter than the Figo while its 40mm longer than the Nios. Although the Nios is shorter than the Swift, both the hatchbacks have an identical wheelbase of 2,450mm. The Figo has the longest wheelbase here. The Swift is, however, the widest and tallest in this comparison. That said, interior space in the Swift has never been the most generous and some of its rivals are a little better off in that regard.

Also Read : 2021 Maruti Suzuki Swift - Old vs New - Specs, Prices and Features Compared

Maruti Suzuki Swift vs Ford Figo vs Hyundai Grand i10 Nios - Specifications

The Maruti Suzuki Swift is a petrol-only model here in India, and for comparison sake, we have only chosen the petrol engines of its rivals in this case here. It must be noted that both the Grand i10 Nios and the Ford Figo are available with diesel engines. That said, even with an updated engine, the Swift still does not boast of the best in-class figures.

While new Swift has 7bhp more than the outgoing model, the Grand i10 Nios Turbo and the Figo are still more powerful. The Swift is only more powerful than the naturally aspirated version of the Nios. The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Turbo is currently the most powerful and torque-ey hatchback in this segment. The Figo, even without a turbocharger boasts of pretty respectable numbers. That said, the new DualJet engine in the Swift is a very fuel efficient engine and it has the best-in-class fuel efficiency figures (claimed) and by quite a margin. That should keep most Indians very happy.

Maruti Suzuki Swift vs Ford Figo vs Hyundai Grand i10 Nios - Price

With the new update, prices for the Swift have gone up by about INR 15,000-24,000, depending on the variant. The Swift is actually the most expensive hatchback in this segment here. It has a higher starting price and a higher top-end price than both its rivals. These prices are only of the petrol variants of all three hatchbacks. That said, the Swift is a very loved car among Indian buyers and given its young and sporty persona, we are sure the Swift will continue to be the best selling hatchback in this segment, despite not having quite the advantage on paper.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Maruti Suzuki updates and comparisons and other four-wheeler news.

Starting with the Figo, petrol versions of the entry-level hatchback will now be available in three trim levels - Ambiente, Titanium and Titanium Blu - with prices ranging between INR 5.64 lakh to INR 7.09 lakh*. Meanwhile, diesel versions of the Figo will be available in just two trims - Titanium and Titanium Blue. Prices for the diesel variants range between INR 7.74 lakh to INR 8.19 lakh*.

Also Read : Ford Ecosport Spotted On Test Once Again; Turbo-Petrol Engine Launching Soon?

As for the Aspire sub-compact sedan, both petrol and diesel versions will now be offered in just two trim levels - Titanium and Titanium+. While the petrol variants of the Aspire are priced at INR 7.24 lakh and INR 7.59 lakh* respectively, the diesel variants are priced at INR 8.34 lakh and INR 8.69 lakh*.

Lastly, trims on both the petrol and diesel versions of the Freestyle have been brought down to three - Titanium, Titanium+ and Flair. Petrol trims of the Freestyle are priced between INR 7.09 lakh and INR 7.74 lakh*. Meanwhile, prices for the diesel versions range between INR 8.19 lakh and INR 8.84 lakh*.

Incidentally, all three Ford cars are powered by the same petrol and diesel engine. The petrol engine is a 1.2L, naturally aspirated, three cylinder engine that produces 95hp and 119 Nm of peak torque. Meanwhile, the oil burner is a 1.5-litre, four cylinder engine that produces 99 bhp and 215 Nm of peak torque. Both engines come mated to a 5-speed manual transmission in all the three cars.

Stay to tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for the latest Ford updates and other four-wheeler news.

Mahindra XUV300 Diesel

Starting Price: INR 8.7 lakh*

The Mahindra XUV300 diesel is not only the most powerful car in the segment but also has the maximum torque output which makes it an extremely fun-to-drive and capable machine. It gets a 1.5L oil burner which can deliver 116.6 PS of max power while the peak torque output happens to be 300 Nm. This engine can be had with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic gearbox. Having said that, the XUV300 also remains one of the best cars in the market under INR 20 lakh* in terms of overall comfort and driving dynamics.

Mahindra Marazzo Diesel

Starting Price: INR 11.64 lakh*

A 1.5L diesel motor powers the Mahindra Marazzo. This engine churns out 122 PS and 300 Nm of peak torque output. With the ex-showroom price of the car starting from just INR 11.64 lakh, the Marazzo is definitely a value for money product which comes with an extremely practical and useful package. It also happens to be the only 7-seater SUV in our list.

Tata Nexon Diesel

Starting Price: INR 8.45 lakh*

The Tata Nexon is currently one of the safest Made In India cars. It is powered by a 1.5L diesel engine that puts out 110 PS and 260 Nm. This engine can be had with a 6-speed manual gearbox while the buyers can also opt for the optional AMT unit. The car also comes with multiple drive modes to make it more suitable for different driving conditions.

Also Read : Top 10 Most Powerful Cars In India Under INR 12 Lakh - IAB Picks

Renault Duster Turbo Petrol

Starting Price: INR 10.87 lakh*

With the launch of the Renault Duster BS6, the brand introduced the new 1.3L turbo petrol engine which delivers 156 PS while the torque output is claimed to be 254 Nm. The power and torque output figures make the Duster one of the most powerful turbo cars available in the market under INR 20 lakh* bracket.

Kia Sonet Diesel

Starting Price: INR 10.39 lakh*

The Kia Sonet is one of the latest entrants in the segment and is offered with four different engine options which also include a 1.5L WGT diesel unit. This engine churns out 115 PS. The peak torque output on the other hand happens to be 250 Nm. The Kia Sonet boasts a premium in-cabin experience and is also available with several features which give it a clear edge over its rivals.

Hyundai Venue Diesel

Starting Price: INR 8.28 Lakh*

The Hyundai Venue is one of the best selling SUVs in the market and comes with an extensive feature list in addition to powerful and refined engine options. The Venue diesel is powered by a 1.5L diesel engine that churns out 100 PS and 240 Nm of peak torque output. This engine can be had with a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Hyundai i20 Diesel

Starting Price: INR 8.19 lakh*

Hyundai launched the new i20 in the market a few months ago and the car is now offered with many upgrades which make it a great package. The i20 diesel variant is powered by a 1.5L diesel engine which also powers the Venue and is claimed to produce 100 PS and 240 Nm of peak torque output. This engine comes mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and has a strong mid-range which makes it a dependable highway companion.

Ford Ecosport Diesel

Starting price: INR 9.99 lakh*

For those who are looking for a well-built and a fun-to-drive car, the Ford Ecosport will be a great option. The car is powered by the tried and tested 1.5L TDCi motor which boasts supreme driveability and long term reliability. This engine delivers 100 PS while the maximum torque output stands at 215 Nm. A 5-speed manual gearbox comes mated to this engine and there is no automatic on offer.

Also Read : Top 5 MPVs You Can Buy Under INR 10 Lakh - Ertiga, Bolero and More

Ford Figo Diesel

Starting Price: INR 7.74 lakh*

Just like the Ecosport, the Figo is also powered by the same 1.5L TDCi engine that puts up 100 PS and 215 Nm and comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The Ford Figo is not only one of the most affordable diesel cars in the market right now but is also one of the most practical and fun-to-drive cars on sale in India. It has superior driving dynamics to most of the other cars and delivers a claimed fuel economy of 25 kmpl which makes it a practical choice in our list.

Ford Freestyle Diesel

Starting Price: INR 8.19 Lakh*

With maximum power and torque output of 100 PS and 215 Nm respectively, the Ford Freestyle is a practical and capable vehicle. In addition to great build quality, the Freestyle is also offered with a spacious and comfortable cabin while the beefed-up suspension makes it suitable for rough usage as well.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more such top-10 lists and latest four-wheeler news.

Ford EcoSport

The Ford EcoSport is one of India's most popular compact SUV, and is priced between INR 8.19 lakh and INR 11.73 lakh*. Launched in 2013, the EcoSport is available in six variants - Ambiente, Trend, Titanium, Titanium+, Thunder and S. In India, the EcoSport rivals the Maruti Brezza, Toyota Urban Cruiser, Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Nissan Magnite and Kia Sonet.

The Ford EcoSport can seat five people and is offered with a choice of two 1.5-litre engine options - a petrol unit that has an output of 122PS and 149Nm and a diesel that produces 100PS and 215Nm of torque. While the petrol engine gets a choice of a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic gearbox options, the 1.5-litre diesel only gets the 5-speed manual option. In terms of safety, the car gets six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), traction control and hill start assist.

In terms of features, the EcoSport gets an 8-inch or 9-inch SYNC3 touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone integration, automatic climate control, auto projector headlamps and cruise control. It also gets a push-button start, rain-sensing wipers and a sunroof. Moreover, you also get paddle shifters when you opt for the Titanium AT variant. The new FordPass connected car tech suite is offered as standard across all variants.

Ford Figo

The Ford Figo is the brand's smallest car in India and is offered in four petrol-powered variants - Ambiente, Trend, Titanium, and Titanium BLU, all priced between INR 5.39 lakh and INR 6.95 lakh*. The BS-VI Figo diesel is offered in three variants - Trend, Titanium, and Titanium BLU, priced from INR 6.86 lakh to INR 7.85 lakh*. In the Indian market, the car goes up against the Maruti Swift and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios. In terms of features, the car gets up to six airbags, Ford Pass connected car tech, auto headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming IRVM and push-button start/stop. It also gets a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. You also get sporty cosmetics in the top-spec Titanium Blu variant.

Powering the Figo is Ford's latest BS-VI-compliant 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 96 PS of power and 119 Nm of torque, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The 1.5-litre diesel engine produces 100 PS and 215 Nm, mated to a 5-speed MT. The Figo’s mileage has gone down with its BS-6 updates, down from 20.4 kmpl to 18.5 kmpl and from 25.5 kmpl to 24.4 kmpl for the petrol and diesel variants, respectively. It misses out on an automatic option for now.

Ford Freestyle

The Freestyle is a rugged hatchback based on the Figo platform and its petrol-powered variants start at INR 5.99 lakh and go up to INR 7.69 lakh*. The diesel variants cost between INR 7.64 lakh and INR 8.79 lakh*. The petrol-powered versions are available in five variants - Ambiente, Trend, Titanium, Titanium+ and Flair. While the diesel-powered Freestyle comes in four - Trend, Titanium, Titanium+ and Flair. The list of features in the Ford Freestyle includes auto headlamps, auto-dimming IRVM, rain-sensing wipers, Ford Pass connected car tech, and push-button start/stop, among others. Similarly, the safety palette consists of six airbags, Active Rollover Protection and ABS with EBD.

Under the hood, the car comes with a 1.2-litre petrol that produces 96PS and 120Nm. You also get a 1.5-litre diesel that makes 100PS and 215Nm. Both engines are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and the Freestyle does not get an automatic option. The fuel efficiency of both engines have also reduced after the BS-6 update. Compared to the outgoing version, the petrol engine's claimed mileage has gone down from 19 kmpl to 18.5 kmpl, while the diesel engine’s fuel efficiency now stands at 23.8 kmpl, compared to the previous figure of 24.4 kmpl.

Ford Aspire

The Ford Aspire, like the Freestyle, is again based on the Figo platform. It is a compact sedan that goes up against a few of the most popular badges in India. This includes the Honda Amaze, Maruti Dzire and Hyundai Aura. The BS-VI version of the Aspire starts at INR 5.99 lakh and goes up to INR 7.44 lakh* for the petrol variants. Meanwhile, the Aspire diesel retails between INR 7.49 lakh and INR 8.34 lakh*. The variants include - Trend, Titanium, and Titanium+. The petrol-powered Aspire is the only one to be offered with the entry-level Ambiente trim.

Ford's sub-4m sedan is powered by a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol unit that delivers 96PS and 119Nm of torque. The 1.5-litre diesel, on the other hand, makes 100PS and 215Nm of torque. Both engines are only available with a 5-speed manual gearbox option. Again, the mileage figures of both engines have gone down with its BS-6 upgrade, from 20.4 kmpl to 18.5 kmpl (petrol) and 26.1 kmpl to 24.4 kmpl (diesel). The new Aspire benefits from six airbags, auto headlamps, auto-dimming IRVM, rain-sensing wipers, Ford Pass connected car tech and push-button start/stop.

*Ex-showroom prices

Ford, after suffering for quite a while in our country, announced a joint venture with home-grown manufacturer Mahindra, which will own a controlling 51% stake. The JV will develop, market and distribute Ford branded vehicles in the Indian market. This helps to firm the brand’s foothold in India. Having said that, Ford has some of the most well-packaged products to offer in India and quite a few of them are priced below INR 10 Lakh*, a price-tag most buyers prefer to go for.

Hence if you are looking for a Ford car under INR 10 lakh* in the Indian market, here are your best options.

Ford EcoSport

In its new avatar, the Ford EcoSport came with more features over its predecessor. The car is available in six trims – Ambiente, Trend, Titanium, Titanium+, EcoSport S and the Thunder Edition. The newly introduced Thunder Edition is based on the Titanium variant and it replaces the Signature trim. The updated model is available in both petrol and diesel engine options.

In terms of mechanicals, the new EcoSport continues to be powered by the 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engine options. There is also a 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine that continues to be offered in the EcoSport S trim as well. Transmission options include a five-speed or a six-speed manual transmission along with a six-speed automatic transmission option in the petrol version.

On the outside, the EcoSport gets automatic HID headlamps, daytime running lights, electrochromic mirror and rain-sensing wipers. Also on offer are distinctive highlights like dark inserts on the headlamp cluster and a prominent black treatment to the fog lamp bezel. Additionally, it gets 17-inch alloy wheels, and a dark theme throughout the exterior, which includes black-painted front grille and rear-view mirrors; dual-tone bonnet and decals on doors.

Apart from the entry-level variant, all other variants get a touchscreen-based infotainment system with embedded navigation. The Thunder Edition uses abundant use of cognac accents across multiple surfaces – from front seats to door inserts as well as centre console and instrument panel. Ford Ecosport is one of the most well recognized Ford nameplates in India.

Ford Figo

The Ford Figo has a firm ground among the competent hatchbacks in India and is also the most affordable Ford you can buy in India. Ahead of its transition to BS-VI emission norms, the car had undergone a midlife facelift that made the offering more appealing. Instead of substantial changes, Ford decided to give the car small updates that made the car look fresher and more modern.

The changes came in the front with a new grille that is more protruding than before and makes the front look a bit bolder. At the sides, Ford has retained the silhouette and was largely similar except for the new chiselled bumper. On the inside, the car comes with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, it is not the Sync3 unit that you will find on the Freestyle and the Aspire. It is to be noted that the touchscreen infotainment system comes as standard in all three variants.

It does miss out on features like LED headlamps, daytime running lamps and phone mirroring features on the infotainment system which is offered on rival products. But it more than makes up for it, with a best-in-class 6 airbags on the top variant. Mechanically, the car comes with 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. The petrol powertrain outputs 95 bhp and 119 Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the diesel variant delivers 99 bhp and 215 Nm of torque. Transmission option is a sole 5-speed manual gearbox.

Ford Freestyle

The Ford Freestyle is a rugged version of Figo and is touted as a CUV. The design of the Ford Freestyle is similar to that of Figo with additional body cladding, roof rails and skid plates. While the petrol-powered Freestyle is available in five variants: Ambiente, Trend, Titanium, Titanium+, and Flair, the diesel-powered Freestyle comes in four: Trend, Titanium, Titanium+, and Flair.

Under the hood, the Ford Freestyle comes with two BS-VI engine options including a 1.2-litre petrol unit that outputs 96 PS and 120 Nm and a 1.5-litre diesel unit that delivers 100 PS and 215 Nm. Both engines are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and the Freestyle continues to miss out on an automatic option.

In terms of safety, the Freestyle gets up to six airbags, auto headlamps, auto-dimming IRVM, rain-sensing wipers, Ford Pass connected car tech, and push-button start/stop, among others, six airbags, Active Rollover Protection, and ABS with EBD. In the domestic market, the Freestyle goes up against the Renault Triber, Maruti Swift, Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, and Ford Figo.

Ford Aspire

The Ford Aspire is the compact sedan version of the Figo hatchback and goes up against cars like Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Aura and Honda Amaze. The BS-VI Aspire comes in the same variants as the Figo including Trend, Titanium, and Titanium+. The petrol-powered Aspire is the only one to be offered in the entry-level Ambiente trim being available with both petrol and diesel engines.

Ford's sub-4m sedan is powered by a BS-VI-compliant 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol that outputs 96 PS and 119 Nm and a BS-VI-compliant 1.5-litre diesel engine that delivers 100 PS and 215 Nm output. Both engines are only available with a 5-speed manual.

Notable features in the Aspire comes in the form of up to six airbags, auto headlamps, auto-dimming IRVM, rain-sensing wipers, Ford Pass connected car tech, and push-button start/stop.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more such featured stories.

*Ex-showroom

Space and comfort – Maruti Baleno

The Maruti Baleno has been a sure-shot blockbuster from day one of its arrival in the Indian market. While there have been a number of factors contributing to its humongous success, the most important factor why people have preferred it over other hatchbacks is the sense of space it provides on the inside, which makes it one of the best small cars in India.

The Maruti Baleno falls under the four meter mark, but has the longest wheelbase in its segment, which gives it the best leg room and knee room in its segment. Even the boot space of 339 liters is currently the highest a hatchback has ever got in the Indian market.

The Maruti Baleno is currently being offered with two petrol engine options – a 1.2 litre four cylinder petrol (83 PS/113 Nm) and a 1.2-litre four cylinder Dualjet petrol with mild hybrid technology (90 PS/113 Nm). A 5-speed manual gearbox is common to both the engines, however, the standard 83 PS motor also comes with an optional CVT gearbox.

Maruti Baleno petrol manual prices*

• Sigma - INR 5.98 lakh
• Delta - INR 6.71 lakh
• Delta DualJet - INR 7.59 lakh
• Zeta - INR 7.34 lakh
• Zeta DualJet - INR 8.22 lakh
• Alpha - INR 8.10 lakh

Maruti Baleno petrol automatic prices*

• Delta - INR 7.91 lakh
• Zeta - INR 8.54 lakh
• Alpha - INR 9.30 lakh

Fuel efficiency and reliability – Maruti Swift

The Maruti Swift is the oldest nameplate in this entire list, and the fact that even after 15 years of its existence, it continues to be one of the highest selling hatchbacks in the country boils down to its immense practicality. The Maruti Swift is highly regarded for its easy to use and drive nature, high resale value, low maintenance costs and high fuel efficiency figures.

The Maruti Swift was earlier available with a 1.2-litre four cylinder petrol motor as well as a 1.3-litre four cylinder diesel motor, however, in the BS-6 era, the latter has been shown the exit doors.

For now, the sole engine option is the 1.2-litre petrol motor (83 PS/113 Nm), which is offered with both 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT gearboxes. And with both the transmission options, the engine is capable of returning a high fuel efficiency of 21.21 kmpl.

Maruti Swift manual prices*

• LXI - INR 5.73 lakh
• VXI - INR 6.36 lakh
• ZXI - INR 6.86 lakh
• ZXI+ - INR 7.77 lakh
• ZXI+ DT - INR 7.91 lakh

Maruti Swift automatic prices*

• VXI AMT- INR 6.86 lakh
• ZXI AMT- INR 7.49 lakh
• ZXI+ AMT - INR 8.27 lakh
• ZXI+ DT AMT - INR 8.40 lakh

Technology and features – Hyundai i20

After a long wait, the third-gen Hyundai i20 has finally arrived in November 2020. The new model Hyundai i20 continues to be one of the hottest compact sedans in the market. It also remains to be one of the best small cars in India. Just like the previous-gen Hyundai i20, the new-gen model offers an appealing design, a well-equipped feature list, and an overall high quality.

In its top-spec variant, the Hyundai i20 has been loaded with all the bells and whistles, including the segment-first features like side and curtain airbags, wireless charger, cornering fog lamps, push-button start with keyless entry, cooled glovebox and Arkamys sound for the music system. The new-gen model is fitted with some new features including a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, electric sunroof, cruise control, and rain-sensing wiper.

Besides the old 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine, the Hyundai i20 gets another 1.5-litre diesel engine.

Hyundai i20 prices*

• Magna+ - INR 6.85 lakh
• Sportz+ - INR 7.69 lakh
• Asta(O) - INR 7.84 lakh

Performance and driving dynamics – Ford Figo 

The Ford Figo might not have been a highly successful model like the aforementioned cars above in terms of sales numbers. However, what it surely manages to turn in its favor is the attention of driving enthusiasts. Fords are generally believed to be great driver’s cars, and the Figo is no exception in that direction.

The Ford Figo is being offered in the Indian car market with two engine options – a 1.2-litre three cylinder petrol motor (96 PS/119 Nm) and a 1.5-litre four cylinder diesel engine (100 PS/215Nm), both of which are paired to a same 5-speed manual gearbox. Both these engines currently rank as the most powerful motors in their segments, and along with Ford’s driving DNA of excellent steering and suspension setups, they do combine to make the Ford Figo a fun-to-drive hatchback.

Ford Figo petrol prices*

• Ambiente – INR 5,39,000
• Trend - INR 5,99,000
• Titanium - INR 6,35,000
• Titanium Blu - INR 6,95,000

Ford Figo diesel prices*

• Trend - INR 6,86,000
• Titanium - INR 7,25,000
• Titanium Blu - INR 7,85,000

Design and safety – Tata Altroz

Apart from the sci-fi design which looks the most beautiful among all the hatchbacks, the Tata Altroz made its foray into the Indian car market with a very tall claim that no other hatchback in India has ever achieved – a commendable 5-star rating at the Global NCAP crash test results. The tough body structure of the Tata Altroz makes it the safest hatchback in the country today, and that too despite not getting side and curtain airbags like the Ford Figo and Hyundai i20.

The Tata Altroz has been made available with a choice of two engine options – a 1.2-litre three cylinder petrol engine (86 PS/113 Nm) and a 1.5-litre diesel engine (90 PS/200 Nm), both of which are paired to a common 5-speed manual gearbox.

Tata Altroz petrol prices*

• XE – INR 5,29,000
• XE Rhytm - INR 5,54,000
• XM - INR 6,15,000
• XM Style - INR 6,49,000
• XM Rhytm - INR 6,54,000
• XM Rhytm+Style - INR 6,79,000
• XT - INR 6,84,000
• XT Luxe - INR 7,23,000
• XZ - INR 7,44,000
• XZ (O) - INR 7,69,000
• XZ Urban - INR 7,74,000

Tata Altroz diesel prices*

• XE – INR 6,99,000
• XE Rhytm - INR 7,24,000
• XM - INR 7,75,000
• XM Style - INR 8,09,000
• XM Rhytm - INR 8,14,000
• XM Rhytm+Style - INR 8,39,000
• XT - INR 8,44,000
• XT Luxe - INR 8,83,000
• XZ - INR 9,04,000
• XZ (O) - INR 9,29,000
• XZ Urban - INR 9,34,000

Also read: 5 best sedan cars in India under INR 10 lakh - IAB Picks

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog for more featured stories and the latest four-wheeler news.

*Ex-showroom Delhi

Figo vs Swift - Introduction

The Figo is the most affordable and the smallest model from Ford in India, and it has been one of the most revered choices among driving enthusiasts, for the brilliant driving dynamics it promises. On the other hand, the Maruti Swift has been liked by many all these years for its excellent fuel economy and sporty design.

Figo vs Swift - Dimensions

On comparing head on, one can see that the Ford Figo has a clear advantage over Maruti Swift in overall length and wheelbase, and ideally, it should translate to more legroom. However, with more width, height and boot space, the Maruti Swift offers more shoulder room, headroom and boot capacity, though by a very small margin.

Figo vs Swift - Design

Exterior

The Maruti Swift has a clear advantage over the Ford Figo when it comes to exterior design. With modern elements like LED headlamps, LED daytime running LEDs, LED tail lights, pillar-mounted rear door handles and machined alloy wheels, the Swift is obviously the more attractive car in this comparison. Even without all that, the Swift is a natural winner with its sporty design.

Also Read: New Maruti Suzuki Swift vs Rivals - Size, Specs and Prices Compared

The Ford Figo looks a bit bland, as it lacks all of the aforementioned features and has a less youthful design in comparison. However, in the top-spec Titanium Blu trim, the Ford Figo comes with black alloy wheels, front grille, mirrors and roof, blue front fog lamp bezel, which raise the sportiness quotient a bit.

Interior

With all black theme for the interior cabin with piano black inserts, both the Maruti Swift and Ford Figo look sporty on the inside. However, in comparison, the Maruti Swift looks more contemporary, thanks to a more modern-looking instrument console with more informative MID in between, flat-bottom steering wheel, a better infotainment system and nicer-looking controls for the automatic climate control system.

Figo vs. Swift - Features

While both the Maruti Baleno as well as Ford Figo do not create benchmarks in their segments when it comes to features, it is the Swift which gets more goodies in comparison. With the recent BS-VI update, the Ford Figo saw omission of a few features, especially in the Titanium variant, making it look even paler in comparison.

On the outside, the Maruti Swift is blessed with LED projector headlamps and daytime running LEDs as well as LED tail lamps, all of which are missing in the Ford Figo. Both the hatchbacks get 15-inch alloy wheels, but only the Swift has machined ones.

Also Read: Just 1 Ford Figo Sold Last Month, Maruti Swift at Top With 18,316 Sales

The cabin of both the Maruti Swift and Ford Figo do get a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, push-button start with keyless entry, height adjustment for the driver's seat, tilt adjustment for steering wheel, auto headlamps, electrically adjustable and folding outside rear view mirrors, steering mounted audio and Bluetooth controls and automatic climate control. However, the infotainment system of the Swift also gets Android Auto and Apple Carplay, which are not there in the Figo.

On the safety front, it is the Ford Figo leading the charge with six airbags on offer in the top-spec trim, compared to only two in the Swift. Apart from this, both the hatchbacks get ABS with EBD and reverse parking sensors with camera.

Figo vs. Swift - Engines & Transmissions

With the discontinuation of the 1.3-litre diesel engine, the Maruti Swift now is available only with the 1.2-litre VVT petrol engine, which has been powering the hatchback now for almost a decade. In its latest, BS-VI iteration, it produces 83 PS of maximum power and 113 Nm of peak torque output, and is offered with both 5-speed manual and 5-speed automated manual gearbox choices.

The Ford Figo, in comparison, gets a more recently developed 1.2-litre Ti-VCT petrol engine, which produces 96 PS of maximum power and 119 Nm of maximum torque. So, its petrol engine is more powerful than the Swift's petrol engine. In addition, it is also available with the ever-so-popular 1.5-litre diesel engine (100 PS/215 Nm). A 5-speed manual transmission is standard in the Blue Oval's car.

Figo vs Swift - Fuel Economy

The BS6 Maruti Swift, in both MT and AMT configurations, has a fuel economy rating of 21.21 km/l. The BS6 Ford Figo petrol returns a fuel economy of 18.5 km/l, which is considerably lower. The BS6 Ford Figo diesel has a better fuel economy rating of 24.4 km/l.

Figo vs Swift - Price

The Maruti Swift commences with a lower starting price point when compared to the Ford Figo. However, when the other three respective variants of both the cars are compared to each other, it is the Ford Figo which feels more economic and value for money, with a price advantage of almost INR 20,000-60,000 across the variants.

Maruti Swift - Prices*

Ford Figo - Prices*

Also Read: Maruti Baleno vs Maruti Swift - Which Maruti small hatchback should you buy?

Here's a quick comparison between the Ford Figo vs Maruti Swift in the Indian car market. What do you think of these vehicles? Is the Figo or Swift worth your buy? Let us know!

*Ex-showroom Delhi

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more such featured stories.

Like Tata Motors, there are other automakers who continue offering a diesel engine in even some of their most economical models even in the BS6 era. After all, companies can’t deny the fact that there is still significant demand from buyers who'd pay the premium for a diesel engine to benefit from the tractability, torquey character and great fuel economy they offer.

Below are the cheapest diesel cars in India under 10 lakh:

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

One of the most significant launches by Hyundai in last year in terms of volumes, the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios is basically the third generation Hyundai Grand i10. However, unlike the latter, which is now offered only with a 1.2-litre petrol engine, the former is being sold with both BS-VI compliant petrol and diesel engines.

The diesel engine in question here is the same 1.2-litre three-cylinder mill from the previous generation Grand i10, which makes 75 PS of maximum power and 190 Nm of maximum torque. However, it is BS6 compliant and offered with not only a 5-speed MT but also a 5-speed AMT. This is now the smallest diesel engine in the country. Prices for the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios diesel range between INR 6.75-8.04 lakh*.

Ford Figo

The current generation Ford Figo might not have been as successful as the first-gen model in terms of sales, but there is no doubt about its capabilities as a vehicle in a whole. The second-gen model has proven its mettle when it comes to performance and practicality. Ford still hasn’t given up on the Figo and has readied it for the BS-VI era, with a few cosmetic changes and feature re-jigs across variants in addition.

The new Ford Figo diesel sources its power from an upgraded version of the old model's 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine. Like the BS4 version, the BS6 version makes 100 PS of maximum power and 215 Nm of peak torque and rooms coupled to a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. Known for a great mix of punchy performance and frugality, the new Ford Figo's prices range from INR 6.86-7.85 lakh*.

Ford Freestyle

The formula of cross hatches has never been a sure-shot thing in the Indian market. Despite the fact that the Indian market has seen a number of fantastic cross hatches, they never have been super successful as their respective hatchback counterparts. The Ford Freestyle is one such example. Based on the Ford Figo hatchback, the Ford Freestyle comes with a number of cosmetic enhancements over the Figo including body cladding job, roof rails and a different grille.

The Ford Freestyle diesel is powered by the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that produces a maximum power of 100 PS and a peak torque output of 215 Nm. Similarly, a 5-speed manual gearbox is standard. Prices for the Ford Freestyle diesel range between INR 7.34-8.19 lakh*.

Ford Aspire

The Ford Aspire is one of the most enthusiastic cars to drive in the sub-four metre sedan segment, and the majority of its credit goes to its diesel powertrain.

The Ford Aspire diesel also has the Ford Figo diesel's 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine (100 PS/215 Nm), available only with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Its prices range from INR 7.49-8.34 lakh* - is cheapest diesel cars in India.

Honda Amaze

Apart from Hyundai and Ford, Honda is the third automaker in the mass-market segment which still believes that there is a good potential for entry-level diesel cars in the country. This is the reason why it is still selling its most important offering in India – the Honda Amaze - with a diesel engine as well.

The Honda Amaze diesel mounts a 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine. This engine is there in the Amaze in two states of tune: 100 PS/200 Nm and 80 PS/160 Nm. The 100 PS/200 Nm version is offered with a 5-speed manual transmission and the 80 PS/160 Nm version is offered with a CVT.

The Honda Amaze diesel's prices start at INR 7.56 lakh* and go up to INR 9.96 lakh*.

Also Read: Best cars under INR 5 lakh in India - IAB Picks

*Ex-showroom India

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more such featured stories and the latest four-wheeler news.

With the BS-VI update, the entry-level Ford Figo has become costlier by INR 16,000. The entry-level Ford Freestyle is now INR 2,000 cheaper.

The BS-VI update has made the Figo diesel to cost around INR 26,000-30,000 more. Interestingly the prices of the Aspire have dropped by up to IN 28,000 with the BS-VI update. It is only the 1.5-L diesel 'Trend' variant of the Aspire whose prices have increased (by INR 12,000). Similarly, the majority of the variants of the BS-VI Freestyle undercut their respective BS-IV counterparts by a significant margin. While prices of its select variants remain unchanged.

The 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines have been updated to meet the required BS-VI emission norms. The former now churns out slightly lower, 96 PS and 119 Nm as against 96 PS and 120 Nm before. The diesel engine's outputs, on the other hand, remains unaltered at 100 PS and 215 Nm. The engines come mated to the same 5-speed manual gearbox.

The drop in the prices of select configurations of the Aspire and Freestyle both is likely due to “increased localisation and alignment of features”.

The Figo Titanium now comes with newly designed 15-inch alloy wheels but misses out on a majority of previous features such as the rear defogger and wiper, automatic climate control system, a reverse camera, touchscreen infotainment system and front fog lamps. The Aspire in its top-grade Titanium+ no longer features Ford's Sync 3 system.

Also Read: Next-gen Ford EcoSport to be Ford Mustang Mach-E-inspired, low-slung CUV

Ford has confirmed that all the three new BS-VI models will benefit from its in-car connectivity suite called FordPass which will be standard across all variants.

The Ford Figo is getting a slew of changes along with the BS-VI upgrade. Its Titanium trim will now be devoid of bits such as fly audio, automatic climate control, rear viper and also the rearview camera. Moreover, premium SYNC3 infotainment system will no longer be part of the package now. On the plus side, the new version will feature new, dual-tone alloy wheels.

As the new images suggest, there won't be any noticeable difference in terms of the exteriors and the Ford Figo still carries forward the same known design. As per the previous report, the company has now stopped offering Absolute Black paint scheme and Deep Impact Blue paint scheme in the Figo as well as the Aspire.

As far as the mechanicals are concerned, the company has pulled the plugs on the 1.5L TiVCT petrol engine which developed 123 PS of power at 6,500 rpm and 150 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. This engine was exclusively offered with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The transmission, however, may be relaunched.

The 1.2L TiVCT petrol engine (96 PS/120 Nm) and the 1.5L TDCi diesel engine (100 PS/215 Nm) will be available in BS-VI version soon. Expect the BS-VI units to deliver output figures similar to those of the BS-IV version.

Also Read: Next-gen Ford EcoSport to be Ford Mustang Mach-E-inspired, low-slung CUV

The prices of the BS-VI Ford Figo, BS-VI Ford Aspire and BS-VI Ford Freestyle will be revealed very soon.

[News Source: Facebook]

The aforementioned 1.5L TiVCT petrol engine is the most potent engine money can buy in the Ford Figo and Ford Aspire's segment. This naturally aspirated three-cylinder mill produces 123 PS at 6,500 rpm and 150 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. The 6-speed automatic transmission in question is offered exclusively with this engine, and it's a conventional torque converter unit - another segment-exclusive. An automatic transmission will become available in these cars again at a future date, Ford has confirmed.

The company used to offer the 1.5L TiVCT petrol engine and the 6-speed AT in the Figo and the Aspire in a single Titanium variant only. These configurations have been taken down from the website already and the availability will be subject to stock at dealerships now.

Ford offers only the smaller, 1.2L TiVCT petrol engine which churns out 96 PS of maximum power and 120 Nm of peak torque and the 1.5L TDCi diesel engine which develops 100 PS and 215 Nm of peak torque in its Figo and Aspire now. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard. The same is the case with the Freestyle.

Ford has also stopped offering the Absolute Black paint scheme in the Figo, Aspire and the Freestyle. The company has discontinued the Deep Impact Blue paint scheme also from the Figo and the Aspire.

Also Read: Next-gen Ford EcoSport to be Ford Mustang Mach-E-inspired, low-slung CUV

As far as the pricing is concerned, the Ford Figo AT retails at INR 7.70 lakh*, while the Aspire AT costs INR 9.10 lakh*. In other new developments, it has come to notice that Ford is planning to launch Endeavour with a 2.0L diesel engine and 10-speed automatic transmission soon.

*Ex-showroom, India

[Image Source: ZigWheels]