My new Ford Freestyle

[SK01]

 

Hello guys,

 

After a long search and wait, here is my new Ford Freestyle in Charcoal Black colour.

 

The car search started in the month of August when my dad driving our WagonR in a narrow lane slightly brushed the car to a thin direction board. and the result was, totally damaged fender and bumper that costed us 3k.

 

And from there all the issues piling up and periodical maintenance cost reaching almost 10k after 65k Kms, my father thought of taking a new car with solid build and of course better ASS.

 

Cars considered:

 

TATA TIAGO:

 

A beautiful and solid car with excellent engine. visited the showroom Malik Tata Bowenpally only to get the worst showroom experience that made us drop the idea going with Tata though I love the brand and admire Mr. Ratan Tata.

 

Apart from the experience, I felt the car is bit overpriced. (personal opinion, no offence)

Basic one does not even come with power windows and dual airbags and is priced on par with premium hatchbacks.

The top end is 7.5L without alloy wheels and Auto AC which made me think twice.

 

A strict 'NO' to Maruti because of its build quality.

 

VW Polo:

 

Tried and tested car with superb performance and build quality and not to forget it's well known worst after sales experience. Hence dropped.

 

Honda Jazz:

 

We already own a Honda City I-VTEC and I know how well it performs. Also, know how bad the i-DTEC performs. My daily drive is home to college and back. Gundlapochampally to Punjagutta that is almost 100 KMS up and down. So our choice was a diesel or else a CNG. Since the Honda diesels are not good, we dropped the Jazz from our list.

 

Hyundai i20:

 

Nice car with nice performance but my dad somehow never liked the brand Hyundai (no offence). Also, the latest NCAP crash test rating for the i20 made me and my dad opt out of the deal.

 

Hyundai i10:

 

Nice car but simply overpriced

 

Hyundai Santro:

 

Nice car but a mediocre engine. As the car is only for me, I wanted a performer and the Santro isn't one.

 

Ford Figo:

 

Amazing car but showing its age.

 

now comes the

 

FORD FREESTYLE:

 

A car with superb SUVsh looks, tried and tested 1.5 TDCi engine, solid build, killer looks and it's a Ford. The brand I loved since I was a kid. in the early 2000s when I was a kid I first saw the Ford Escort. Since then I always thought of owning a Ford. When my dad said he is looking to change the car for me and asked for alternatives, the first word from my mouth was the Ford Freestyle. Just gave a look towards all the other alternatives just to satisfy my dad and also I got a chance to boast about Ford whenever we visited other showrooms[emoji12]

 

Now the buying experience:

 

Visited the showroom on a Saturday night. We were three, me, my dad and my dad's assistant. We were well received by Mr. Rama Raju, the sales executive at Modi Ford begumpet. He took us straight to the first floor where the freestyle was standing next to the EcoSport. he briefed us about the vehicle and later too us on test drive after which my father decided to buy the car. He and I just loved the way it revved and drove. Extremely refined engine with amazing low end torque and pickup. The overall visibility and ergonomics for me (height 6ft) is really good. compared to our City's head room and WagonR's shoulder Room.

 

Monday we booked the basic ambient variant which comes with two airbags, ABS with EBD. Since I only drive it in the city and have Honda City we thought basic variant should be fine.

 

Later after going through the variants list we upgraded it to Titanium.

 

We got our car delivered in a week as promised.

 

On road price 9,05,000. We got accessories worth 5K for free as from the dealer.

 

The overall sales experience with Modi Ford was really good and the SE Mr. Rama Raju is a very nice person to deal with.

 

Coming to the car, it's a 1.5 TDCi engine that produces 99bhp at 3790 RPM.

 

*) A very beautiful and enthusiastic engine with powerful low end and middle end torque.

 

*) Solid body and build quality. Plastic quality is okay okay.

 

*) Ride and handling is very nice and stable.

 

*) Seats and ergonomics are very well designed

 

Detailed review will be out after a long road trip and after first service.

 

Here are few pictures,

 

 

The engine that comes with no cover occupying the whole bay and heats up fast

 

Insulation to the bonnet that controls engine noise

 

Nice blacked out headlamps

 

Nice C shaped fog lamps housing

 

Side profile of the Ford Freestyle which looks likes a Mini SUV

 

Smoked grey alloys

 

60R15 Good Year tires (stock) with option of MRF and Apollo

 

Integrated turn indicator on ORVM

 

Rear profile similar to Figo

 

Reverse parking sensors on bumper with camera

 

Scuff plates on all the sides a part of the vehicle

 

Touch screen Infotainment system with really good working touch and UI

 

Door open info display

 

Automatic climate control that cools the cabin in no time

 

Vanity mirrors on both the sides

 

 

10 bottle holders all in the front

 

Electronic adjustable and retractable ORVM

 

Secret pocket on the dashboard

 

Attached head rest in the rear which is a let down

 

Decent legroom in the rear when front seats pulled all the way back

 

Slightly tweaked taillamps

 

Push button that is not so happy to access

 

Traction control switch

 

Reverse parking camera display works really well

 

Surround sound system that is adjustable the way we like

 

Sound EQ adjustment

 

Digital compass

 

Navigation works really well

 

Average speed

 

Instant fuel economy display

 

Average fuel economy

 

Trip meter

 

Number of KMS traveled

 

Distance to empty

 

Here are few additional pictures

 

 

 

PS: sorry for few blurred pictures.

 

Detailed review will be out after first service

 

[sagar]

Firstly, Congratulations on your new car @Krish and Wish you many a miles ahead  

I think you have made the right choice by choosing the Freestyle over the i20 and Jazz. Amazing handling and built quality. You will love each and every mile of your drive from now on.  Waiting for a detailed review on this soon  

[SK01]

Firstly, Congratulations on your new car [mention=342]Krish[/mention] and Wish you many a miles ahead [emoji4] 
I think you have made the right choice by choosing the Freestyle over the i20 and Jazz. Amazing handling and built quality. You will love each and every mile of your drive from now on.  Waiting for a detailed review on this soon [emoji4] 

Thank you@sagar

And thanks to all the members in the WhatsApp group for helping me take a decision.

Detailed review will be out as soon as I cross 1500 mark or a long road trip or else first service. Whichever comes soon.

[Sridhar Tandra]

You forgot to mention that members are now able to spot you often   Kidding!

 

Congratulations @Krish on your new Freestyle. I hope I will spot you someday at Suchitra signal   

[mayank]

Congratulations @Krish.. Very well written. I have heard that Fortune ford is much better than the Mody ford in terms of servicing from my friends.. Be watchful on this  

[SK01]

You forgot to mention that members are now able to spot you often [emoji14] [emoji14] Kidding!
 
Congratulations [mention=342]Krish[/mention] on your new Freestyle. I hope I will spot you someday at Suchitra signal  [emoji3] 

Thanks for mentioning behalf of me[emoji38][emoji12]

Remember that night when I spotted you in Bowenpally and raced against your Tia with my Wagon R and almost reached you?? Everything without you knowing that I'm behind you [emoji23]

Now a days I'm roaming jobless with my new car. Spot me soon.

[SK01]

Congratulations [mention=342]Krish[/mention].. Very well written. I have heard that Fortune ford is much better than the Mody ford in terms of servicing from my friends.. Be watchful on this [emoji4] 

Thank you@mayank.

Sure will check out fortune Ford during my servicing. Thanks for the information.

[Gowtham]

Congrats Krish. 
I always love Ford vehicles. They are fun to drive.

Ford Fiesta 1.6 is the best car that I have ever owned. (civic is not even close to it in terms of fun behind the wheel)
For service, I would advise to avoid Mody Ford. 
Fortune Ford Towlichowki is the best in City for Ford cars, they rectify issues easily and have efficient staff. 

[Naveen1]

That 100PS machine is a rocket. 
Engine is very practical and less turbo lag. 

 

[SK01]

1 hour ago, Ranger said:

Congrats Krish. 
I always love Ford vehicles. They are fun to drive.

Ford Fiesta 1.6 is the best car that I have ever owned. (civic is not even close to it in terms of fun behind the wheel)
For service, I would advise to avoid Mody Ford. 
Fortune Ford Towlichowki is the best in City for Ford cars, they rectify issues easily and have efficient staff. 

Thank you@Ranger

Why didn't you choose another Ford instead of Civic?

Will go to Fortune Ford for service. Thanks for the suggestion. Do they have pickup drop to Kompally? Towlichowki is too far for me.

 

1 hour ago, driveking said:

That 100PS machine is a rocket. 
Engine is very practical and less turbo lag. 
 

Yes that's a rocket. I'm enjoying each and every drive on that. Just came from ORR. Really loved the way it drove...

Till now twice I revved it to 5500 RPM. People said not to do till 1500 KM limit so stopped.

And what's your name? Are you there in the WhatsApp group? Two years in this club and I still don't know who you are[emoji51]

[uday]

Congrats SK

 

Looks good in black. ?

One of my friend got a very good discount on Figo. Year end offers. Hope you got some decent discount. 

[SK01]

Congrats SK
 
Looks good in black. [emoji3]
One of my friend got a very good discount on Figo. Year end offers. Hope you got some decent discount. 

Thank you@uday.

Yes, I got 10k cash discount plus 5k worth accessories.

[Gowtham]

On 11/22/2018 at 11:16 AM, Krish said:

Why didn't you choose another Ford instead of Civic?

 

No D-segment sedan options in Ford.

Only reliable competitors are Altis and Civic. 

[Sridhar Tandra]

On 11/21/2018 at 8:51 PM, Krish said:

Remember that night when I spotted you in Bowenpally and raced against your Tia with my Wagon R and almost reached you?? Everything without you knowing that I'm behind you

haha! I do Remember, I did not realize you were behind until you PM'ed me on WhatsApp ?

[sagar]

On ‎11‎/‎22‎/‎2018 at 11:16 AM, Krish said:

And what's your name? Are you there in the WhatsApp group? Two years in this club and I still don't know who you are

 

Why don't we know you..? Who are you  ?

[SK01]

 
Why don't we know you..? Who are you [emoji3] ?

I'm SK. A student [emoji6]

But yeah I should come to the drives to know you people better...

I'll be there soon.

[RajG]

Congratulations krish.

Car looks awesome in black. 

Nice choice.  Punchy 100bhp motor and high GC, Will be good for touring. 

[SK01]

Congratulations krish.
Car looks awesome in black. 
Nice choice.  Punchy 100bhp motor and high GC, Will be good for touring. 

Thank you@RajG