Review: Ford Fiesta

Ford's original 1976 Fiesta and its successors made such an impact that the company never needed to change the model name right up to today, writes Brian Byrne, unlike its compact and medium models which have changed names a number of times. With over 16m units sold to date, it has been more than good to the brand.

The latest version is both a careful evolution and a substantial upshift. The designers have been clever in retaining key shapes and cues, and those comfortable with their older Fiestas will be very easy with a new one. But there's enough of a modern twist to please those who wouldn't want to feel the nameplate's age.


Inside there's first a sense of a much bigger car, the longer wheelbase making enough difference for sitting in the back not to be a squeeze for an adult. Or two.

The driver's area is a big improvement There's a very modern style screen — arguably a little too big but exceptionally clear and easy to use. The prime instruments are also large, with good graphics, and the information quickly assimilated. The overall feel of the car has moved subtly upwards, as planned by Ford when they introduced the Ka+ earlier this year as an entry car which is of a more practical size than its diminutive predecessor.

My review car was the Titanium grade, with a 1.1 petrol engine. There's also a 100hp 1.0 turbo 3-cylinder, and a 1.5 turbo 3 with 200hp. Two version of a 1.5 diesel are available. Five- and 6-speed manuals, and a 6-speed automatic are transmission options.

I was prepared to be underwhelmed by only having the base engine, but it is quite well up to the mark in the general kinds of driving which most Fiesta owners will do, and if they have a more enthusiastic driving style, they can choose one of the other — more expensive — options.

The new Fiesta feels significantly more refined on the road. A better ride is partly due to the longer wheelbase, and the handling is tidy and predictable. With the car already designed for much more powerful engines, it was never going to be anything but a neat driver with the normal ones.

There's a lot more technology available in the new Fiesta. It isn't free — the driver assistance package which includes pre-collision assistance, distance indicator and alert, and adaptive cruise, is €700. Alloys, heated seats, and a premium sound system were among several options which added a total of more than €3,000 to the price.

But I liked the car well. A couple of rungs up more than I liked its predecessor.

PRICE: From €16,550; Review car €18,950 plus options. I LIKED MOST: The driver assistance package. RATING: 4.6/5.