Ford Fiesta Review, Specs & Performance
The Ford Fiesta is a hugely popular model in the UK and the new version is impressive to help underpin its successful track record. In addition, this is a small car that is still great fun to drive and it offers a lot for the money.
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Overview of the Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta is renowned for offering the best handling in the supermini class and the strong engines help.
ENGINES AND PERFORMANCE FOR THE FORD FIESTA
Contract hire drivers get the choice of a mild-hybrid using a 1.0-litre petrol engine producing 125PS. There's also a mild-hybrid offering with a 1.1-litre unit producing 75PS which has lower emissions – and is a more appealing offering for young drivers wanting cheap insurance.
The mild-hybrid has a small electric motor and 48V battery to help the engine when necessary, reduce emissions and boost fuel economy. For those racking up lots of miles, the 1.5-litre diesel unit is worth considering. It produces 85PS and better fuel economy of 60mpg.
A six-speed manual gearbox is fitted as standard, and a smooth changing seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is an option. The low running costs are one of Fiesta's big appeals and the petrol engine returns between 52mpg and 57mpg. The CO2 emissions are also low at between 116g/km and 124g/km - so the Fiesta's Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rating is low.
Ford Fiesta in a nutshell
Not only is the Ford Fiesta the best-handling supermini, but it is also one of the best equipped too.
EQUIPMENT AND HANDLING
The styling hasn't changed much with the latest model compared to the previous one and there's a lot to like.
The car is great to drive around town and on long motorway journeys - and this is helped by the refined and spacious cabin.
The cabin uses quality materials, and everything feels well-designed and extremely well put together. It's also noticeable that the Fiesta has more space for rear seat passengers, with tall adults finding the seats comfortable.
The infotainment and connectivity systems have also been improved and most models feature Ford's Sync3 infotainment system - this will call the emergency services should it detect a crash. There's also smartphone compatibility.
Standard equipment includes a very good 8-inch display and air-conditioning, with safety equipment including lane departure warning.
Depending on the Fiesta car leasing trim you choose, the model may have road sign recognition, a rear-view camera and blind spot monitoring.
Options include active park assist and automatic emergency braking, and the Fiesta has a five-star crash test rating from Euro NCAP.
The standard Fiesta is rightfully a top-seller with a lot to recommend it for contract hire purposes - but if you fancy a Fiesta with a bit more then there's the rugged Fiesta Active model, the upmarket Fiesta Vignale and the sporty ST to choose from.
Essentially, the Ford Fiesta is a great car for families or for those who want to potter around in a stylish, well-made car that has a rewarding drive. For those wanting to lease the Fiesta, then there's little wrong with the offering.