The Most Underrated Hatchback in the Indian Car Market

"The Ford Freestyle 1.5 TDCI Titanium + MT"

This is definitely the most underrated hatchback in the Indian car market. I have driven this car for 40,000 kms in 3 years and it still runs like its brand new. CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) they call it, true to its name it definitely is. I have gone off the road, waded through knee deep water and driven it pedal to the metal.

Coming back to why we bought this car, we had a few things in mind:

1.  Safety was Priority:

This top spec variant titanium plus gets a full safety pack on

•  Anti lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic brake force distribution (EBD)
  
• Traction control system (TCS) with Electronic stability program (ESP)
• Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
• Active Rollover Prevention (ARP)
  
• 6 Airbags

  

      2.  Fuel Efficiency:

 

This one gives a good 15 -17 kmpl in the city (again purely depends on your driving style) and 19 - 23 kmpl on the highway.

 

 

       3.  Ride Quality:

Traveling up and down 120 kms everyday to my place of work, we needed a car with good ride quality. We tested each and every car in this segment but none matched its ride quality whether On or Off the road.

Another positive side to this car was the Performance and Handling. 

I just loved the performance, it always had power on tap. This 1.5 L Diesel mill pumps out 100 bhp and a torque figure of 215 Nm.

Even Though the Ground clearance is high (190mm), she handled superbly! with hardly any body roll.

Cons:

• Interior Plastic Quality could have been better.
• No Automatic version.
• no proper headrest at the back.
• flimsy rear parcel tray.
  

Final verdict:

If you want a fun to drive cross hatch or a hatch then no other car can match this. Superb Built Quality, Precise steering, straight line stability and amazing cornering stability, It is just a wonderful car to drive.

Check out Ford India for more info.