Ford Fiesta Review

Published on 31 July, 2017

Fiesta: the practical supermini Ford are trying to make posh... and what exactly what I think of it

Overview

Right so, there's a new Ford Fiesta. It's as good as on sale in Ireland. It just so happens I've driven it abroad, although how much I can tell you about the relevant models for Ireland I'm not sure as they only had minority-interest 140bhp petrol and 1.5-litre diesel models for us. It defeats the purpose in many ways but there you go. One does one's best under the circumstances.

My big interest revolved around the fact they have to move the Fiesta upmarket because the new KA+ now occupies the bargain shelf for Ford's supermini range. It's doing well, with 400 likely to be bought this year and 800 next. Move up there Fiesta.

On the face of it, the Fiesta's price seems to be a mere €200 increase (to €16,550 for the 3dr) on the runout version. But the 5dr at €17,150 is the one that, on price, will be compared with the November-bound Volkswagen Polo. And the Germanic 5dr will, I am reliably informed, be in the mid-to-late €15,000s. So there's a gap that Ford no doubt will attempt to bridge and justify on equipment levels,technology and 'upmarket-ness'. Volkswagen will have something to say about that too, no doubt.

Anyway, Ford know one thing for sure: they have a popular car in the Fiesta. It regularly tops its segment and they expect upwards of 3,200 people to buy the new one next year.

They will have four trim levels, starting with Zetec and Titanium, then ST-Line and the esoterically irrelevant Vignale (which of course was the version we drove on test with the obliquely relevant engines). Zetec and Titanium kick off immediately. ST-Line and Vignale arrive late in the year.

All I can tell you is the car looks sharp, has decent room and, when we pressed it into action, showed a sharp turn of foot and handling. We were really impressed with the drive in the 1.5-litre diesel. The car blended balance, power and poise to a pleasing degree.

Just how important that sort of thing is for you if you're buying any supermini is difficult to say. I think people are not that pushed.

But they do want smart and they do want practical and they do want infotainment spec especially (Bluetooth and two USB ports are standard; an integrated CD player is an optional extra).

Exactly what you'll get at each trim level is not yet clear but, in terms of interactive stuff, Zetec will have a small 4.5in built-in screen while up the food chain there are 6.5in and 8in options. They have ordered 8in on all Titaniums - a good decision.

I've no doubt they are putting a shove on for people to buy Titanium and ST-Line - it helps the upmarket profile and bottom-line figures - but the bread-and-butter models will be in Zetec trim with the 1.1-litre non-turbo petrol that starts at 70bhp. That's 50pc of sales right there.

They also have an 85bhp version of this engine. Add another 20pc/30pc of buyers for that. Then there is the 1-litre EcoBoost turbo (100PS). It is expected to attract a good share of the remaining buyers.

And there are 125PS and 140PS versions of that 1-litre EcoBoost while the 1.5-litre diesel (85PS and 120PS) will fire the imagination of just 5pc of buyers.

There is a new 6spd transmission for a spread of models as well.

As I said, not all engines and trim levels are here from the start, some coming later this year. The ST-Line (sporty alloys, grille, bumper, side-skirt designs, sports seats, flat-bottomed steering wheel, sports suspension) arrives in November.

We won't see the Active models (looking more like a Crossover) until April. The new 200 PS ST will also go on sale next year too. Now that should be something.

By the way, if you want a full spare tyre, it's €100 please but you'll suffer a bit on boot space.

We also learned that they are now shifting top-spec Vignale sales to all their dealers as opposed to three Ford stores before this. They're starting with the Fiesta.

I still think the whole Vignale idea is off the wall. Who is going to pay a massive premium for additional touches of luxury in a supermini (18in alloys, exterior detailing, colours, and hexagonal-quilted, tuxedo-stitched leather seats)? Or a Focus? Or a Mondeo? Or . . . you get my drift. We'll await developments. Maybe I'm the one who is off the wall.

Back to the Fiesta. As I said, there's lots of tech gear in the Fiesta. Much of it is optional or only on the higher specs.

It is the first Ford with (optional) Pedestrian Detection that can help prevent collisions at night, and there is Active Park Assist while Electronic Torque Vectoring Control improves the car's cornering grip.

It's also a first for the premium B&O PLAY sound system in a Ford, and there is SYNC 3 connectivity.

Other safety elements include: enhanced version of Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Active Park Assist with Perpendicular Parking, Traffic Sign Recognition, Auto High Beam, Adaptive Cruise Control, Adjustable Speed Limiter, Blind Spot Information System, Cross Traffic Alert, Distance Indication, Driver Alert, Lane Keeping Aid, Lane Keeping Alert and Forward Collision Warning.

So there you have it. The Fiesta moves up the ladder to make room for KA+. I'm not so sure it overwhelmingly convinces as an upmarket sort of motor. I expect to feel much more at home when I drive the 1.1-litre Zetec petrol in Ireland soon.