Ford Fiesta Review

Performance4.5/5

Carried over from the previous Fiesta, the 1.0 Ecoboost engine seems set to become a firm favourite. There are three versions of it, offering 100, 125 or 140 PS – they all give a sprightly performance, and are equally able to come up with the goods on motorways or around town; the 100 hp version though is the only one that comes with automatic transmission and, in addition, some great performance figures, sprinting  from 0-62mph in 10.5 seconds. Other choices are the 1.1 petrol versions or the 1.5 diesel. The latter is high powered but also high cost; and you would need to be doing a lot of mileage to justify this in light of the frugality of its Ecoboost rivals.

Handling5/5

The new Ford Fiesta is a joy to drive, easing its way seamlessly over bumps and potholes; negotiating bends with agility and good grip; and offering light and compliant steering. Occupants are protected from engine and road noise, although wind can be slightly more of a problem, particularly at speed. Driving positions can be adjusted to suit all shapes and sizes and there will be very few situations or locations where this car's driver will anything but delighted with the feel of their Fiesta; and back and front seat passengers will appreciate the comfort of the ride.

Exterior5/5

You could be forgiven for not noticing, at first glance, the changes to this new Fiesta; to be honest, it's not a lot different to its predecessor. It is wider in this incarnation, and longer, which has increased interior space; and a new design for the tailgate paired with larger tail lights, has created a slightly new look for the back – but at the front there is precious little that is new to be seen. But then if it ain't broke, as they say, why fix it!

Interior5/5

You will need to hunt around a bit to find the less attractive part of the Fiesta's interior; there are some cheap feeling materials down in the lower parts of the cabin. The vast majority of what is on view, though, looks to be of good quality and there's quite a bit of soft touch plastic around. The controls are well displayed and uncluttered – to the uninitiated, the cruise control buttons which are located on the steering wheel are a bit difficult to deal with, but air conditioning and infotainment controls are pleasingly user friendly. The driver sits quite high up and forward visibility is good; the over-the-shoulder view through the rear windows is a little restricted because of their relatively small size.

Equipment4.5/5

There are nine trim levels across the Fiesta's range; from the entry level 'Style' up to the top of the range 'Vignale'. The Style  is comparatively basic, coming up with steel wheels and a less than sophisticated infotainment system. One step up though, and the 'Zetec' adds alloys, a heated windscreen, front fog lights and a better infotainment package. The Titanium trim, just a couple of rungs up, includes a few more features without too much added strain on the bank balance – cruise control, keyless start, sat nav are all on the list; after that things become more luxurious and, consequently, more costly. If you are in the market for something altogether more sporty, the ST-Line - with a specially tuned suspension, sports style seats, and various other 'sporty' features - may do it for you.

Safety5/5

The Fiesta received the full five stars in its 2017 NCAP rating. It certainly feels of good quality both inside and out and is well equipped with safety features, including seven airbags, automatic emergency braking, lane assist, stability control all as standard. Further up the range, traffic sign recognition and driver alert detector are included along with a good choice of optional extra safety technology. An engine immobiliser is installed to deter thieves and the Zetec and above has a Thatcham approved alarm system.

The previous incarnation of the Ford Fiesta scored reasonably well in driver satisfaction surveys and the manufacturers have worked hard to iron out problems previously raised – so this augers well for future owners. Owners have historically rated the Fiesta high for its reliability. As standard it comes with a three year warranty but this can be extended to five at a reasonable cost.

Buying & Owning4.5/5

With a range of efficient engines the Fiesta is an attractive proposition for the buyer on a limited budget. It's certainly not cheapest car of its kind to own and run – models such as the Skodia Fabia and Seat Ibiza are keen competitors – but it is certainly not the most expensive either. As a company car its low CO2 emissions make it a  logical choice and this, as well as low monthly leasing rates, will ensure the car's continuing popularity. Private purchasers are likely to be tempted by the 1.0 litre EcoBoost petrol model with its stated 97g/km of CO2 and 65.7 mpg – but there are plenty of other options all of which are on the frugal scale of performance figures. Tax comes at a cost of £140 pa for all models.

Reviewed by cars2buy