Ford Fiesta Review


Ford Fiesta

4:22pm Thursday 12th November 2009


Overall

rating: 5 stars

Ever since Ford revealed the Verve concept car in 2006 we have had high hopes for the Fiesta. The outgoing models were always among the most interesting small cars to drive but, unfortunately, amongst the least interesting to look at. As the Verve underwent only minimal changes to become the new Fiesta, we thought Ford may finally be able to tick all the boxes for a small car.

And so it has proved. Ford has taken the dynamic excellence of the old model and polished it, without radically altering the nature of the car. The one significant change is that the new Fiesta is actually lighter than the old one by 40 kg - this changes an unbroken 30-year-trend that has seen cars get gradually bigger and heavier with every model refresh. As fuel economy targets start to take effect, all cars are going to have to reduce weight but the Fiesta (and its Mazda 2 cousin) are the first to actually bite the bullet.

To drive, the Fiesta is recognizably Ford: excellent suspension means the ride is firm but well controlled while the handling is agile. Steering is a fraction lighter than before thanks to electronic power steering rather than the old hydraulic variety, but it is far more accurate than most such systems: electronic assistance has developed a reputation for providing numb, lifeless steering.

The revised engines are also first class. The Fiesta is available with the excellent 1.6 TDCI diesel as used in both the Focus and the Mini, and the Ford installation makes it noticeably quieter than the Mini diesel. There is also a revised 1.6 petrol with variable valve timing which produces 120 bhp - enough for a very sprightly drive. For the moment, the Fiesta also has the distinction of offering the lowest CO2 five-seater on sale, with a road-tax exempt 98 g/km of CO2 in the Econetic version.

Ford's internal catchphrase for the Fiesta is, "It's not our small car, it's our smallest big car" and that is not entirely vacuous. The supple ride and excellent refinement mean that it does feel like a car from the class above. Providing you do not need more space than the Fiesta offers, you would not miss being in a larger car, even on a long run. The only slight fly in the ointment is that the 1.6 petrol is quite low geared, with the engine running at almost 3,500 rpm at 70 mph. It is not noisy, but the engine is clearly quite busy on the motorway. Ford says the low gearing reflects the fact that petrol versions will spend most of their time either in town or on medium length journeys and the gearing gives the best response in those circumstances. Higher mileage drivers might be better off in the 1.6 TDCI.

What's to like

1. Styling is a quantum leap over the old one
2. Ford's traditional dynamic excellence has not been lost
3. Smooth, economical new engines

What's not to like

1. 1.6 petrol is a bit busy on the motorway
2. It won't be the cheapest supermini you can buy
3. Not much else...


Your sayYour Comet

comment Add your comment

Register for a FREE Surrey Comet account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.

Please register now or sign in below to continue.

Ford Fiesta Ford Fiesta Ford Fiesta Ford Fiesta

Ford Fiesta

Ford Fiesta

Ford Fiesta

Ford Fiesta



See also

Environment

rating: 4 stars

It depends which model you buy. The Econetic is a five star model with its industry-leading CO2 figure, while all other models are better than average for their power outputs. Even the most powerful Zetec S produces only 139 g/km of CO2, which is a good figure for a 120 bhp petrol model.

Styling

rating: 5 stars

The antithesis of the old model - dynamic, modern and available in some truly eye-catching colours such as the metallic Hot Magenta red. The interior styling is, if anything, even better with a funky mobile-phone inspired dashboard. Thankfully, it is also extremely easy to use.

Handling

rating: 5 stars

Steering is arguably a little light, but the handling is excellent. In Zetec-S guise it is a latter-day Puma sports car, but all versions are great fun on winding roads, no matter how bumpy the surface.

Comfort

rating: 4 stars

The seats are well shaped and comfortable even for long journeys. The driver's seat adjusts across a wider range than average and the steering wheel adjusts for both reach and height - you would have to be a very unusual shape not to get comfortable in this car. The standard suspension offers a very good compromise between ride and handling. Unusually, the sports version on bigger wheels still offers a good ride - a little firmer but extremely well-controlled.

Quality

rating: 4 stars

The new Fiesta feels like a quality item made from high quality materials. The new dashboard looks remarkably upmarket for a car in this class. Mechanically, Fords have earned a pretty good reputation in recent years for durability.

Performance

rating: 4 stars

All models bar the entry-level 60 bhp petrol (which almost no-one in the UK will buy) are sprightly and the engines are so refined that you can use every last drop of performance. The diesel is particularly refined and willing - it is easy to find you are revving it beyond 3000 rpm in the gears before remembering it is a diesel and that you are wasting fuel.

Roominess

rating: 4 stars

The front seats could come from a much larger car and there is plenty of room in the rear: we put two 6'3' men in the rear seats and headroom was not a problem. The boot is slightly larger than in the previous model.

Costs

rating: 4 stars

Ford has gone to great lengths to reduce insurance ratings on the new Fiesta, with lights positioned away from likely impacts and 'crash cans' to minimise structural damage to the bodyshell - the base model is the lowest possible Group 1E. Fuel economy is improved across the range and servicing costs are likely to be low.

Value

rating: 4 stars

Ford has priced the Fiesta competitively - it is around 3% more than the outgoing model on a specification-adjusted basis. The bad news is that discounts are going to be very hard to find for a while, but the good news is that residual values are expected to be £1,000 higher than the old model after 3 years/60,000 miles.

Stereo

rating: 4 stars

The stereo system is unusually good for a car in this class. With the optional aux in plus USB connector, iPods can be controlled directly from the dashboard with the iPod display appearing on the car's audio screen. No sat nav is available - Ford's attitude is that people buying a £10K car just buy a TomTom.


Car finance

Loans »

Apply for a car loan now. Quickly compare the best products in the market and select the product that's right for you.

Insurance »

Compare car insurance quotes from over 50 providers and start saving now.



Local Links