Ford Aspire Facelift has been launched in India with a multitude of exterior and interior changes. There’s a new honeycomb pattern front grille, sleeker air-dams, sporty bumpers, c-shape fog lamp bezels and a 7-inch touchscreen with Ford’s Sync3 infotainment system.
There are changes under the hood as well with customers getting three engine options to choose from. So, how does the new Ford Aspire compare with its rivals? Here’s a quick comparison of new Ford Aspire with its key rivals – new Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Honda Amaze.
Design and styling:
All three sedans have their distinctive design and styling, with Aspire and Dzire getting top marks for their looks. The front section of Amaze has a cluttered look, which reduces its style quotient. Key exterior features of Aspire include front & rear fog lamps, rear defogger, B-pillar black applique and front grille surround. Dzire has LED projector headlamps with DRLs, fog lamps with chrome fins, electrically adjustable outside rear-view mirrors and LED rear combination lights. On Amaze, we can see headlamp integrated signature LED position lights, front fog lamps, shark fin antenna, power folding OVRM with LED turn indicators, and rear combi lamp.
Interiors: Aspire’s interiors have a two tone environment featuring a combination of sand and light oak. Other key features include fabric seat upholstery, adjustable front & rear seat headrests, front door panel insert, driver seat height adjustment, and rear seat centre armrest. Dzire has dual-tone interiors with Burl Wood ornamentation, leather wrapped steering wheel, urbane satin chrome accents on console, gear lever and steering wheel, and front door armrest with fabric. Amaze also has a dual-tone environment featuring a sophisticated dashboard. It has a multi-function steering wheel, that supports audio and voice commands and has hands free and cruise control.
Engine
New Ford Aspire comes with three engine options – 2 petrol and 1 diesel variant. The new 1.2-litre engine delivers 96 PS/120 Nm and it is the same one used in Ford Freestyle. It delivers more power than its predecessor and is also being claimed to offer better mileage. Second option for petrol variant is the new 125PS/150Nm, 1.5-litre petrol engine, which can also be seen on EcoSport. For the diesel variant, it is powered by a new 100PS/215Nm, 1.5-litre engine that claims to offer slightly better mileage than the earlier motor. Automatic transmission is only available for the top-end petrol variant – Ford Aspire Titanium 1.5 Ti-VCT AT.
In comparison, Maruti Suzuki Dzire petrol variant gets its power from a 4-cylinder 1197cc engine that delivers max power of 61 kW @ 6000 rpm and max torque of 113 Nm @ 4200 rpm. Diesel variant has 4-cylinder, 1248cc engine that delivers 55 kW @ 4000 rpm and 190 Nm @ 2000 rpm. Both petrol and diesel variants of Dzire are offered with 5-speed manual transmission and 5-speed AMT.
Honda Amaze petrol variant has a 4 Cylinder, 1199cc, SOHC i-VTEC engine that delivers 90 PS @ 6000 rpm and 110 Nm @ 4800 rpm. Petrol variant comes in both manual and CVT options. Diesel variant has 4 Cylinder, 1498cc, DOHC i-DTEC engine, coupled with either manual or CVT unit. The manual variant delivers 100 PS / 200 Nm, whereas the CVT variant makes 80 PS / 160 Nm.
Infotainment & connectivity:
Aspire has 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Ford’s SYNC 3 technology. It is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Dzire and Amaze also have similar touchscreen infotainment systems supporting navigation and connectivity with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Safety & security:
New Ford Aspire has advanced safety features such as 6 airbags, ABS & EBD, Smart Drive (HLA + ESP + EPAS), remote keyless entry, perimeter alarm, engine immobilizer, rear parking sensors, and emergency assistance. Dzire has dual airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, reverse parking sensors, reverse parking camera, anti-theft security system, engine immobilizer, door-ajar warning lamp and speed sensitive door locking. Amaze has dual air bags, standard ABS with EBD, ECU immobilizer system, and rear parking sensors & camera.
Mileage:
Aspire’s 1194 cc, 5-speed manual transmission petrol engine gives mileage of 20.4 kmpl whereas the 6-speed automatic, 1497 cc gives 16.3 kmpl. The 5-speed manual, 1498 cc diesel engine gives 26.1 kmpl. Dzire petrol engine (MT/AMT) gives 22 kmpl and diesel engine (MT/AMT) gives 28.40 kmpl. Amaze petrol engine MT and CVT give 19.5 and 19 kmpl respectively, whereas diesel MT and CVT give 27.4 and 23.8 kmpl respectively.
Price:
New Ford Aspire petrol variants are priced in the range of Rs 5.55 lakh to 8.49 lakh. Diesel variants are priced in the range of Rs 6.4 lakh to Rs 8.14 lakh. Maruti Suzuki Dzire petrol variants are priced in the range of Rs 5.6 lakh to Rs 8.47 lakh. Diesel variants come in the range of Rs 6.58 lakh to Rs 9.45 lakh. Honda Amaze petrol variants are priced between Rs 5.81 lakh and Rs 8.11 lakh. Diesel variants are priced in the range of Rs 6.91 lakh and Rs 9.11 lakh.
Aspire and Dzire are equally matched in terms of design and styling. All three sedans offer similar features and safety systems. The only major difference is that Aspire diesel variant does not come with automatic transmission. Also, only one of its petrol variants offers automatic transmission. In terms of price, Aspire and Dzire have largely similar pricing. Amaze is the costliest of the three sedans. In terms of mileage, Dzire is a clear winner.
