Ford Ikon Flair1.3 Unleashed vs other midsize cars. Review on Ford Ikon

Ford Ikon 1.3 Flair - The Josh Machine

I spent a lot of time (whole month of december 2003) in search for a perfect car to make a shift from the B-segment (I owned a Matiz-The cute car) to the midsize segment.

The initial choices that came to my mind were Hyundai Accent GVS, Opel Corsa 1.4, Ford Ikon Flair 1.3 Nxt.

I didn't care for Tata Indigo, Fiat Siena and Maruti Esteem.

I test drove all all of them, took every bit of info available on internet.. consulted my friends and what not... whole of december went like that...

Finally I settled for Ford Ikon Flair 1.3 nxt. Now I own it for more than a month and would like to share my experience with this josh machine.

But before I start, I would like to throw some light on other cars as well...

1. Accent GVS : A popular car in India. A good car.... costs 40-50 k more than flair. Comfortable car.. really comfortable ride, but it lacks that zip, it lacks the josh.

Alas! not a drivers car. But the best car in this segment if u are looking 4 a chauffer driven car. Premium rear seat comfort, but legroom is a tad less than ikon.

It has got sedate exterior looks as compared to the Sporty looking Ikon.

1. Opel Corsa 1.4: Again a nice car. Costs the same as flair. Good drive, good handling and an excellent ride (feels like u are riding on an airbed). Now u would be asking why didn't I go 4 this car??? Simply I never liked its exteriors. Bad looks along with an awfully designed rear. I felt that the legroom space is a bit cramped.

Gearshift is nothing to write about.

1. Tata Indigo : Sorry I dont trust TATA MOTORS. REFRAIN FROM THIS CAR IMHO.

   
   




2. Fiat Siena : Driveability is really poor. It has a mere 1.2 ltr engine with the heaviest body in this segment. It felt like I was driving a tank :-). Though it is the cheapest of the lot (comes under 4 lacs), but its better to go for a Opel corsa Sail rather than this car. Go for it only if u want to prove to others that I got a bigger car(and u are tight on pocket), though e1 knows about siena 1.2. Make your choice.

   
   




3. Maruti Esteem 1.3 Lxi : costs a tad less than flair but do you really want to go for a Maruti. Think twice. Agreed Maruti is all over India and they have sold many models and is a nice peppy car BUT Esteem is quick off the blocks only bcoz its the lightest car in this segment, really its weight is comparable to wagon R, making a hell lot of compromise on Safety. People at Maruti design the most unsafe cars. Look at Versa, its like a tower on auto rickshaw's sized wheels, look at wagon R , Omni , cant say more. Choice is yours, I would never compromise on safety.

   
   

Secondly it has stale looks.

1. Flair Ikon 1.3 Nxt (The Car I own)

Problems faced in first month :None

Looks : Good Looking Car

Exterior : Cat eyed headlamps, lovely curves, aggressive sporty look.

Interiors : Cool soothing interiors, will bring a smile to your face. Though the dashboards are sloping which makes them useless as u cant keep anything on them.

Legroom : Ample legroom for both front and rear passengers.

Seats : Though initially they felt little firm as compared to accent which has really good seats. I made that up with semi-leather seat covers. Now they feel really good and comfortable. Rear seat riding is also comfortable with the car boasting of good suspensions.

Power Steering and Handling: This is one area where no one can beat Ikon. Excellent steering and handling. Good view of road, u always look in control even at speeds 100+ . Nice cornering and excellent balance.

Drive: Without A/C on it feels very similar to the bigger beast 1.6 ikon sxi .

Very Good Acceleration which gives the zippy feel to the car. With A/C on it takes a little bit fun out of driving.(though just a little bit only)

But this is really a driver's car and the way the car responds to driver's inputs is exceptional. Just push the throttle a little bit and it zooms ahead.

Gearshift : Class apart. The lower gearshift ratios give a sporty feel. The feel of the gearshaft is addictive, u feel like changing gears everytime :)

Brakes : More than sufficient in the brakes to make the car stop quickly from any speed to 0 . Effective Braking Power

Fuel Efficiency : Gave 17+ on highway (without A/C on) Delhi - Jaipur Highway

Gives 12-13+ in city conditions (without A/C)

In city (with A/C on) gives 9-10 kmpl

I drove the car on Delhi-Jaipur highway and pushed it to 155 kmph, though it had some more in it but I didnt go for the max due to safety concerns.

Few things important to note : Only for Ford Ikon Flair 1.3 Nxt

1. Has no rear defogger, fog lamps, reading light for rear seat passengers

   
   




2. Has no rear boot release button

   
   




3. It comes with two company installed front speakers . No rear ones though the wiring is there.

   
   

Rear Defogger + Fog Lamps cost me around 11,000 bucks

Rear Boot Release Kit comes for Rs 5000 app. Though I didn't go for it.

Advice for Music System : Go for Sony MP50 (cd + mp3 player + fm/am player)

Cost around Rs 7000 in grey market. Superb Bass and Clarity.

INstall Sony 300 watt 3 way rear speakers (cost 2500 in grey market and 3790 with bill).

For more enthusiasts: Go for additional Sony Amplifier and Subwoofer. This adds not only the extra bass but also improves the clarity of Music.

Thats all from me

I hope I have been helpful