Test Driven: Ford Fiesta Sedan Review
Lets get something clear from the start: I hate Ford Fiestas. This maybe a bold statement to make at the beginning of a review of Ford’s latest super mini, but let me at least state my case. My dearest Grandmother had a 1979 Fiesta 1.1 Popular Plus. I was often put on the back seat as my grandmother took me on wild tours of the countryside of Northern England; as it was the ‘olden times’ this particular Ford Fiesta didn’t have seat belts, so I bounced off the roof, the windows, and found myself in the footwell quite a few times. My Grandmother decided she didn’t like the color of her yellow Fiesta one day, so she painted it. Herself. With white emulsion. You could see the brush strokes, but she was adamant it was her ‘new’ car. Another round of wild rides ensued. With my grandmother’s family being a strong Ford loving family (she recently upgraded to a Ford Ka) I went through several generations of crazy Ford Fiesta journeys with my dearest grandmother so it’s easy to understand why I strongly dislike Fiestas, especially with all the abuse I went through during my junior years on the back seat of one with my grandmother at the helm. Thankfully these days I’m too big for her latest Ford Ka, but at 76 years old she isn’t showing any signs of slowing down physically, but her lead foot is heavier than ever.
Chang’an Ford were kind enough to lend me their latest Ford Fiesta this weekend, the sedan version that will eventually see production also in North and South America. Usually when car makers design a sedan out of a hatchback car they manage to make ugly monstrosities that only developing world markets seem to buy (look at the Peugeot 207 sedan, for example). Not so for Ford: the Focus hatch and sedan are equally handsome cars and that has spread down into the latest Fiesta range. The kinetic design theory that is present across the Ford range has worked well for the latest Fiesta, the lines of the car clearly embrace the kinetic design style of ‘always accelerating’ even when standing still.
The Fiesta we had this weekend was a 1.5 Luxury sedan model, with a 4 speed automatic gearbox. Although the test colour, ‘gloaming silver‘ we had was not the best in the range, it certainly suits the sedan styling better than the vibrant blue or rustic orange colors which look better suited to the hatchback model. The Fiestas boot, or trunk to our dear American readers, is surprisingly large. Expecting a tiny little boot, I was extremely impressed to find that it could easily take two large suitcases at a push, or accomodate a great deal of grocery shopping. The interior is light and airy, the leather seats offer adequate comfort. The central console seems awfully complicated at first, but after five minutes of playing it becomes completely clear what it all does. Our car came with an AUX input, making it easy to hook up an MP3 player rather than using one of those awful radio transmitter things that always receive interference from every one else that has one at the traffic lights. The dashboard is long, and wide and the new Fiesta is essentially a Tardis; its a small car, but its also huge.
It’s easy to get comfortable at the wheel of the Fiesta, especially for someone like me that drives a huge SUV, and a smaller SUV often. Usually driving small cars after driving large ones makes me feel nervous, but not so in the Fiesta. The Fiesta handles extremely well, one could say its better to drive than the heavier Focus. The four speed automatic gearbox finds its feet at above 3000rpm but anything below its weak at best. When you accelerate from traffic lights, its almost as if the gearbox has a comittee meeting takes a vote before deciding whether or not to take action. As the gearbox is of the semi automatic kind, its easy to swap over to manual mode if you want to control the power. We took our test Fiesta (and test Mondeo) up the highway towards the Ba Da Ling section of the Great Wall, winding around the small twisty two lane highway was easy work for the Fiesta, with it easily mastering tight corners and braking sharply when needed. Overtaking in automatic mode is a challenge, I do recall throwing my fist in the air and screaming YYYYEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS! When I finally managed to get past a 1.6 VW Sagitar, but throw the gearbox into manual mode, keep the revs high and you’re laughing your way past BMW 7 series.
The Fiesta also has a few niggles. When pulling into a gas station to refill the tank I spent a good few minutes with the gas station attendant looking for the lever to pop the gas tank lid open, you won’t find one below the steering wheel or next to the driver’s seat like many other cars; in fact you won’t find one at all on the Fiesta. That’s because the gas tank cap doesn’t have a lever – you simply push the gas cap, and it pops open. A great idea, but the cap itself feels very flimsy when opened, and could easily break off. Another issue we had on our test drive was the lack of lights on a stalk, but this is common on most Ford Euro cars. Whilst driving through mountain tunnels I was frantically looking for the light switch, but it is obscured by the steering wheel. Obviously the above two issues are minor, a regular Fiesta driver would figure these out within an hour of owning the car.
So is the new Fiesta any good? Yes, the Fiesta is quite frankly a fantastic little car, the best in its segment. The sedan has a huge boot which will make it popular with small families, the hatch version has an excellent sporty stance. I expect that the Fiesta will sell well in its new role as a Global Car, even in North America when it goes on sale in 2010. The Ford Focus has almost become an automotive icon for middle class life in China; the Fiesta could easily become the automotive icon for upcoming young, professional white collar office workers. In 2010, I am planning to move to Shanghai and I doubt I will be driving my compact SUV around in the quagmire that is Shanghai traffic. Instead I will buy a small car and the Fiesta is currently at the top of my small car list, despite the abuse I suffered at the hands of my grandmother and her Fiesta over 20 years ago.
China Car Times Verdict: For city driving go and buy one, now.
Models: 1.3l and 1.5l with manual and automatic offerings.
Pricing: From 78,900rmb to 111,900rmb
Thanks to Wesley and Craig at Chang’an Ford, and Martin at APR for reviewing the grammar, and spelling!
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http://jalopnik.com/5415250/2011-ford-fiesta-the-party-finally-comes-stateside
The Euro/Chinese model is way nicer, the US spec grill is not so nice…
Yeah, I’m not sure why they bothered adding that “mini-grill”, but I can accept it, at least on the hatch. What the so-called designers did to the sedan, however, is inexcusable.
I’m also a bit surprised by the re-engineering they had to do to the center console (to account for those not wearing seat-belts). And it also looks like the gauges are not LED-backlit.
Oh yeah, what’s up with the lack of fog lights?? Those faux-foglight covers look a bit cheesy.
But little niggles aside, I’m glad that this car has finally made it to North America.
I just ordered a blue 2011 Fiesta 5 door hatchback SE with the 6 speed powershift automatic transmission. The SE comes very well equipped. By the way, we do get the excellent soft touch dash. Some of the Fiesta Movement agents (they drove Euro Fiesta’s for 6 months) who have checked out the North American Fiesta in detail report they feel it is equal to if not better than the Euro Fiesta. Because I ordered the new Fiesta today Ford is throwing in Sync and the upgraded sound system for free ($575 value). Way to go Ford!
Congratulations Patrick on your order! I didn’t know that you could order the Fiesta already – when is your expected delivery date?
That’s good to hear that you get the soft touch dash over there. But I really wish we got your powertrain here in China, as well as Sync.
Anyways, do let us know when you get your new Fiesta!
Thanks Gerald! The order is pretty much a reservation with no obligation to buy. It should arrive sometime in May 2010. I’m not completely certain that I will buy the Fiesta. It really hinges on how much I like the all new 2011 Focus. The Focus is a bit bigger than the Fiesta so it will be more comfortable and hold more. By the way, the all new 2011 MKIII Focus makes its world debut January 11th at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. I can’t wait! The U.S. will get a Focus 5 door hatchback and 4 door sedan. The 4 cylinder EcoBoost engines will make their debut in the all new Focus along with the Powershift 6 speed dual dry clutch automatic transmission. I know the Focus is one of the best selling cars in China.
Hi Patrick, if the Mk3 Focus fits your needs better and you can wait, I’d go with that. I’ve seen some renderings of the new Focus hatchback and it looks so hot. I’m also sure that Ford will apply the same tricks to improve the handling and ride that they used for the Fiesta, and Ford should have another winner on their hands. It will be an especially big leap for you folks in NA, as you guys never got the Mk2 Euro Focus over there.
You are right about the Focus being a big seller in China, even now several years after its introduction. I previously would’ve given a low probability on us seeing the EcoBoost engines here, but with the introduction of the new Golf and Excelle/Astra I think Ford China will have no choice but to bring them over in order to stay competitive.
Hi Gerald,
How’s everything going with your Fiesta? Any problems or issues to report? Are you still loving it as much now as when you first bought it?
If you have the time I would greatly appreciate if you could email me some pics of the interior and exterior of your Fiesta. My email address is: patwick2006@yahoo.com.j
The new 2011 Fiesta apparently goes on sale here May 4th. I intend on getting a Fiesta 5 door hatchback with the Powershift 6 speed automatic in blue.
Thanks a lot!
Hey Patrick! I’m happy to report that there have been no problems with my Fiesta so far. Yes, we’re still loving it. In fact I am driving it nearly every day now (we just passed 8000 kms this weekend).
It’s been a long wait but I’m glad that the Fiesta is finally going on sale in the US. I can imagine how excited you must be.
Anyways, I’ll email you some pics, just give me a day or two.
Cheers!
6 speed auto in the US version! China gets 4 speed. As per usual Chinese consumers get the old gearboxes.
The main reason is that in the US consumers still place an emphasis on power over economy, while over here it’s the other way around (plus people want a cheap car).
I just priced the cheapest US Fiesta S sedan w/ 6-speed powershift. It came out to 15,065 US, before taxes. And at this price, you don’t get CD, power windows, message center, foglights, nor keyless entry. On the otherhand, it does come with stability control, tire pressure monitoring, and a better warranty.
Stepping up to the SE sedan adds the missing features above, but that bumps the price up to 16,065 US, before taxes.
Things get even more expensive if you compare the equivalent hatchback (Fiesta SE hatch). This comes out to 16,865 US, before taxes.
I haven’t been able to figure out why Ford US is pricing the hatch so much more expensive vs. the sedan, but there you have it.
Hi Gerald,
How did a day or two become a month or two?
Where’s the pics you promised, man?
I’m sure you’re a busy person and obviously getting pics of your car to me is not important when you’re busy. Anyway, email when you are able (inside and out if possible).
Thanks,
Patrick
Sorry to have kept you waiting, Patrick! Anyways, I’ve sent you email.
Hey Gerald,
Please forgive me for asking this but could you please resend me those pics of your Fiesta from a few weeks ago? My email has been on the fritz recently but I’ve finally got it straightened out. By the way, the North American version of the new 2011 Fiesta has been getting rave reviews by all the media. It is truly a world class car! It’s already been declared the best in its segment by far. It officially hits dealers lots next month. If I decide to get one, I’m definitely getting the 5 door hatchback SE in blue flame with the Powershift 6 speed. Everyone seems to agree that the Fiesta drives like a larger car (one size up).
Gerald, thank you very much for your time and patience!
Patrick
email: patwick2006@yahoo.com
I would say that the Fiesta handles like a small car, while having the refinement and comfort of a larger car. It is a true pleasure to drive.
I just wish we got the NA powertrain (1.6L + powershift) over here.
I drove a 1.3 manual hatchback a few weeks back and found its performance to be fine.
Here’s anotehr review of the Fiesta http://www.markeaandrews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/SCMP_-_Ford_Fiesta.pdf