Ford Freestyle 2020 Review - Prices, Specs, Variants, Features and Mileage

In how many trims is the 2020 Ford Freestyle available?

The freestyle comes in a total of 8 variants with 2 engine options. The base variant is the Ambiente which is priced at Rs. 5.91 Lakhs (Ex-showroom Delhi) for the petrol engine and Rs. 6.76 Lakhs for the diesel engine. The price of the petrol variants goes as high as Rs. 7.46 Lakhs while for the diesel variants it goes up to Rs. 8.26 lakhs.

The base variant lacks the luxury or high-end features that higher trims get but they are still better equipped than rivals. But all of them are good at one common thing, i.e. driving dynamics. Fords have always been the driver-friendly car and the Freestyle is no different.

Ford has smartly put forth a very wider wavelength of trims that will make it accessible for a wider audience base. The list of features are also plentiful but we think that Ford could have done a better job at providing the base variant with a better bundle of features to make it more desirable.

Which variant to go for?

We would recommend you to go for the Titanium variant of the diesel engine as it comes with the beloved 7-inch touchscreen from Ford with all the essential features. For Rs. 7,80,900 (Ex-Showroom Delhi) you get the best in the segment 1.5L diesel mill and it is the best balance of features and price. If you are looking for a petrol option we would recommend the same Titanium variant, but if safety is your top priority then the Titanium Plus variant with 6 airbags is the safest bet.

Also Read,

How does Hyundai plan to take on the beefed-up Figo?

How has Maruti Suzuki pitched into this craze among consumers?

The French are not behind in this segment, or are they?

What is the source of firepower in 2020 Ford Freestyle?

The Freestyle comes with 2 engine options that are mated to a recently updated 5-speed manual gearbox. The petrol mill is a 1.2 litre 3 cylinder engine that churns out commendable performance figures. The diesel powerplant is a 1.5 litre turbocharged 4 cylinder engine which is also not a bummer and the torque figures will surely put a smile on your face.

1.2 L Petrol

This is a tried and tested 1.2 L petrol engine from the Freestyle’s SUV sibling, the Ecosport. The Ecosport feels more spirited to drive than the freestyle with this engine due to its higher output. The Ecosport gets the 1.5 L petrol engine while on the Freestyle it is a 1.2 L engine. The engine is still the best in its segment in terms of the power output which makes it very driveable on the highway as well as the city.

In the city, the Freestyle does not require a constant tap on tap on the pedal as the engine is strong enough for city use. Once in the stop and go traffic you will appreciate the decent low-end power on tap. The mid-range, although it does not offer much and most of the action happens at the top end of the rev band. 

The engine gets vocal at higher RPMs and even though it is refined, for the most part, some vibrations do kick in. The revs climb slowly even on hard tap on the gas pedal even though the engine quite revs happily. The overall performance is acceptable and this engine it’s best when treated with a  light foot.

1.5 L Diesel

This engine too is a tried and tested motor by Ford and does its duty on the Figo and Aspire too. It is one of the engines which quite simply put a smile on your face and has been voted as India’s best 1.5 L diesel engine on various forums. The low-end performance is simply great which makes the city drive a breeze. In stop and go traffic all you need to do is lift the foot from the clutch pedal while engaging the 1st gear. 

Even on the highways, the surge of torque past 3000 RPM makes it a delight to overtake trucks and slow-moving traffic. Push this engine hard and it gets vocal too but you do get the performance you would want. Even on full load the engine never feels underpowered and can cruise at triple-digit speeds all day long. This engine is the most powerful in its segment just like its petrol sibling. 

The clutch is light but has a long travel which can get annoying for some in city traffic. The gear shifts, however, are buttery smooth and there is no notchiness unlike the previous gearbox provided with the engine. This engine then is certainly for the enthusiasts and provides better performance than even the petrol engine, it is more fuel-efficient too.

How fast is Ford’s Freestyle from 0-100?

Backed up by the most powerful engine in the segment, the Freestyle should be the quickest from 0-100 kph, right? Well, while this is true for the diesel engine which does 0-100 sprint in 11 seconds the petrol-powered Freestyle gets beaten by the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios. It completes the 0-100 kph in 14.54 seconds. Freestyle would bag the second place then if engaged in a stoplight sprint with the i10 Nios.

The added visual components has not damped down on the robust performance characteristics of Ford Freestyle and that is a relief. You can have the same uninterrupted fun as the Ford Figo as Ford has not fiddled with the engine tuning and performance curve.

As this segment is not at all performance-oriented it is still nice to see Ford giving a much more powerful engine with the Freestyle. Competitors like the S-Presso go too far in proving this point and it completes the 0-100 kph sprint in a painstaking 17 seconds!

Has the driving dynamics changed much as compared to Ford Figo?

With the growing love for the SUVs in the Indian Market, how a car ride is becoming even more important to the Indian customer. You would be glad to know that with the cars like the Freestyle you would not be missing that SUV like ride quality. Ford has re-tuned the Figo’s suspension for the Freestyle. The suspension on the Figo has excellent ride quality and the Freestyle’s suspension only improves on that. The car feels pliant and the suspension soaks in any irregularities or bumps easily. 

It glides over the small potholes as the suspension has been well damped by Ford for Indian road conditions. Withing the City the 190 mm ground clearance comes in hands in getting clear of any large speed breakers. While on the highway the Freestyle feels well planted even on triple-digit speeds. The suspension works silently and only crater-like potholes manage to unsettle the suspension, which is true for every other car in this segment.

With a powerful enough engine Ford has also made sure that it does not miss on the fun to drive elements. Hence, the steering feel and feedback is hands down the best in its class. The steering has enough heft to it and makes you feel confident while changing lanes. At slow city speeds, the steering is adequately light and helps you park the Freestyle with ease. Once on the highway doing triple-digit speeds, the steering wheel gains enough weight and the Freestyle points exactly where you want it to. You will have no complaints with the handling of the Freestyle as Ford, really knows how to make cars that ride and handle better than its rivals.

How bitey are the brakes on Ford Freestyle?

With a well-sorted driving dynamic, the Freestyle also provides enough braking performance. Due to the raised ground clearance, the nose-dive is more acute on the Freestyle than the Figo. Although, even under hard braking the Freestyle maintains its line and manages to stop without much drama. It comes standard with ABS and EBD.

The ABS is a bit too sensitive for our liking and it kicks in well before we would have liked. Still, it is not what we would call intrusive and you can still have some fun with the Freestyle.

Even while being the heaviest in its segment the Freestyle has at par braking performance and it stops almost 3 secs quicker from 100-0 kph when compared with the i10 Nios. While it would have been nice to have discs at the rear as well, it would be too much to ask for in this segment.

How efficient is the Freestyle when it comes to mileage?

While petrol motors in the Freestyle provides an acceptable mileage of 19 Kmpl, it is the lowest in its segment. This is due to the heavier kerb weight of the Freestyle but Ford has done a good thing by providing its bigger fuel tank than the rivals which gives it at par range. 

If you are someone who craves for more mileage, the S-Presso will be able to fulfil your needs well. But if you want performance as well as mileage, we would suggest you go for the Freestyle’s diesel engine option which provides 24 kmpl of mileage. As Maruti Suzuki, really knows how to make light and fuel-efficient engine, it remains the kind of the segment. We do see other carmakers also playing the catch-up game now.

How has Ford managed to make the Figo look muscular?

If you are looking for something fresh or new, unfortunately, you would not be able to find it with the Freestyle. The Freestyle looks like a Figo with some sports shoes and some thicker clothing. The Freestyle certainly no head-turner but Ford has given it some black cladding all around the car to give it a more crossover-like stance. The Freestyle does not look ugly from any angle but it could have certainly done with more bling.

For starters, it misses out on any LED elements on the outside. The headlamps look plane with halogen bulbs and the rear lamps tell you the same story. Nonetheless, the Freestyle certainly manages to give you that rugged car look. From the Front, the Freestyle gets contrast elements and looks mature but from the rear, the changes are more subtle. From the side, the black cladding looks like aftermarket thoughts from certain angles. Overall, the Freestyle just looks like a Figo on steroids.

The Freestyle has the longest wheelbase in its segment while the Triber is the longest in terms of the length. The Freestyle is also wider than its two rivals, the i10 Nios and the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso and only beaten by the Renault Triber in terms of dimensions. The Freestyle, however, trumps ever single rival when it comes to ground clearance.

Key features on the Outside

• Front and Rear Skid plates
• Power adjustable ORVMs
• 15” Alloys
• Front Fog lamp
• Rear Fog lamp
• Silver Roof Rails

How well laid-out is the Ford Freestyle on the inside?

If you have been into the Figo, Aspire or even the Ecosport, the interiors of the Freestyle would feel like home to you. Ford has done lesser changes on the inside than on the outside of the Freestyle. While the Figo gets all-black interiors and the Aspire gets a black-beige treatment. The Freestyle gets a brown theme on the inside. The dashboard will remind you of the earlier generation, Figo. The brown dashboard while easy to maintain fails to impress in terms of looks.

The 7-inch touchscreen sits in the middle and is the floating type. Ergonomics are well sorted as everything is in reach and all the buttons and switches are of acceptable quality. The plastic quality, however, is a departure from the earlier Fords as there has been an ample use of scratchy plastics. However, it is still better than many of its rivals except the Hyundai’s i10 Nios. 

The front seats come with adequate under-thigh support and cushioning. The bolstering on the sides could have been better and you might have to reach out to the side grab handles under hard cornering. The material used though is neither too soft of hard and seats provide you enough cushioning. The dashboard is on the higher side which again makes the Freestyle feel like a hatchback.

The rear seats now come with adjustable headrests in the top variant which is a great thing but the middle passenger gets no headrest. The rear bench can seat 3 people comfortably but lacks adequate under-thigh support. Still doing long journeys in the Freestyle should not be a concern as ample leg space is available. The headroom and shoulder room is also adequate.

The only car that can seat 7 people is the Triber and no other car in the Segment offers that much amount of space. The S-Presso certainly feels the least spacious while the Freestyle and Grand i10 Nios are neck and neck when it comes to space.

What are the various creature comfort features on offer?

With the Freestyle, Ford is offering everything that its Figo offers and then even more. It comes with almost all the bells and whistles that the segment has to offer. For starters, the Freestyle features Ford’s excellent SYNC 3 system unlike in Figo which only comes with a normal interface. It’s compatible with Apple car play and Android auto as well.

It also comes with an auto-dimming ORVM, automatic headlamps, and rain-sensing wipers. Some of the features are listed below.

• Rear parking camera
• Push Start-Stop button
• Auto Up/Down driver side power windows
• Height adjust steering wheel
• Automatic Climate Control
• Ford Mykey
• Automatic wipers
• Automatic Headlamps

How intuitive is the updated infotainment system?

With Ford’s SYNC 3 system the 7” inch infotainment screen is a delight to use. It feels very fluid and responsive to use and is also adequately lit under direct sunlight. You get Apple CarPlay as well as Android Auto compatibility with the system and it is coupled with a 4 speaker audio unit.

The sound from the 4 speakers is acceptable but certainly not class-leading. What makes the whole infotainment experience a delight is the interface which is clean and lag-free.

Infotainment features

• 7” Touchscreen Infotainment system
• Apple Car Play and Android Auto connectivity
• Inbuilt-Navigation
• 4 Speaker audio
• Bluetooth and USB connectivity
• Voice control

How much cargo can the Ford Freestyle take in?

One of the biggest pros of the Freestyle is the boot space which can easily gulp in a weekend worth of your luggage. It is one of the best in the segment only beaten by the i10 Nios but that is just by a margin. Unfortunately, the seats don’t come with a 60:40 split arrangement.

The loading lid is also on the higher side and you would have to lift-up your luggage every time which makes the open narrow as well. You have to be careful with edgy objects so as not to scrape off the paint!

The boot has minimal suspension intrusion which makes it very usable and practical. In comparison with the rivals, the Freestyle comes out with shining colours. The Nios provides only 3L more boot space which is practically negligible.

What are the various safety features available in Freestyle?

Where the rivals can’t even come close to the Freestyle is in the safety department. Ford has always maintained its focus on the safety of its cars and thing with Freestyle are no different. The Freestyle comes with 6 airbags on the top variant and even a traction control system.

The SYNC 3 system also comes with emergency alerts as it sends a message to your loved one in case an airbag gets deployed. In short, it gives you complete peace of mind when it comes to the safety of passengers. 

• Front and Side curtain Airbags
• Speed-sensing door lock
• Rear Parking Sensor
• Rear Backup Camera
• Driver side Load Pre-tensioner and limiter
• ABS with EBD

How does the Ford Freestyle compare against its rivals?

Ford Freestyle vs Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

The i10 Nios is a new entrant into the hatchback segment which has eaten up the competition even more. The Nios manage to put a smile on our faces as soon as we step in. The cabin quality and the feel are above any of its rivals and it is loaded to the gills with features. The Freestyle, however, provides you with a better driving feel and a much more powerful engine which the Nios cannot match. Hence, if features and cabin quality is your prime concern the i10 Nios should be the car for you but everything else, the Ford Freestyle is the pick.

Ford Freestyle vs Renault Triber

The Triber undoubtedly comes with a superpower of seating 7 people inside its cabin. It is the only car that offers 7 seating and also comes loaded to gills with equipment. Triber is meant for people then who want to go on long highway journeys and have a requirement of a 7 seater only. Apart from this factor, the Freestyle is better than the Triber in every other way and comes with a better cabin and an infotainment system. Hence, if you are a keen driver the Freestyle is the car for you.

Ford Freestyle vs Maruti Suzuki S-Presso

The latest entry into the hatchback space is of the S-Presso. It is yet to be seen how the response of the market will be the S-Presso but being a Maruti, it will likely top the charts again. The S-Spresso comes with great and functional interiors. But the engine feels quite underpowered and is no match to the Freestyle’s engine. While the Triber claims to seat 7, the S-Presso is best for only 4 people on board. The Freestyle undoubtedly is a better product and with Ford’s claim of it being cheaper to maintain than even a Suzuki, it should be easy to live with.

How has Ford fared with the very capable Freestyle?

In a market which is proving hard for any American carmaker to crack, Ford continues to make cars to lure Indian customers. The Freestyle tries to provide everything that a customer is looking for in this segment. It has not been received very well by the market but Ford certainly has made it with all the recipes required for the Indian market. It comes with a  top safety package and that too at a very attractive price. Couple in the excellent driving dynamics and most powerful engine of the segment, its a car worth considering if you are looking for a promising crossover.