The Ford Fiesta fully deserves its reputation as the small car that puts the biggest smile on the driver’s face.
The Fiesta has been a huge seller for a long time, in part because Ford produces multiple versions to suit all tastes. There’s the relatively inexpensive Trend, the sportier ST-Line which mimics the near-200bhp ST hot hatch, and the more luxurious Titanium X. Ford has even accounted for the booming popularity of small SUVs by offering Active, with roof rails, black wheel arches and jacked-up suspension. That being said, if it’s an SUV you’re after we recommend the similarly brilliant Ford Puma.
The Fiesta comes with a number of petrol engines, some with mild hybrid technology for improved acceleration and fuel economy. There’s no diesel, electric or plugin hybrid version.
The Fiesta naturally faces stiff competition from rivals like the SEAT Ibiza, Peugeot 208 and Volkswagen Polo, not to mention the Dacia Sandero, which beats most small cars on price. And if you’re looking to maximise space in a compact package, you might also consider the Honda Jazz.
But before we delve too deeply into the Fiesta, let’s check in with its key stats.
| Brand-new price range | £19,000–£27,000 |
| Car Planet price range | £4,000–£14,000 / £76–£269 a month |
| Trims | 9 |
| Engines | 4 |
| Available fuels | Petrol |
| mpg range across all versions | 42–56 |
| Doors | 5 |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60,000 miles |
| Company car tax at 20% (min/max) | £1,069 / £1,814 |
| Company car tax at 40% (min/max) | £2,138 / £3,628 |
Equipment, options and extras
The Ford Fiesta’s entry-level Trend trim warrants serious consideration, with its aircon, cruise control, 15in alloy wheels, 8in infotainment touchscreen and heated front windscreen. Even better is Titanium, which adds keyless start, privacy glass, rear parking sensors, LED headlights and an automatically dimming rearview mirror. Or if it’s a sportier aesthetic you seek, check out ST-Line, similar to Titanium but with 17in alloy wheels, more aggressive styling, and stiffer suspension for greater agility. Titanium X and ST-Line X introduce even more luxuries, but are too expensive for us to recommend.
Costs, insurance groups, mpg and CO2
Buyers seeking a budget option might be a little disappointed with the Ford Fiesta, which is quite pricey compared to other small cars including the Škoda Fabia—although it does come with reasonable discounts if you know where to look. The Fiesta is also predicted to depreciate more slowly than many of its cheaper rivals.
If you’re looking to buy the Fiesta on PCP finance, it’ll generally cost you more monthly than would an equivalent Fabia or Volkswagen Polo, although of course you could happen upon a special offer. And on the plus side, as a company car the Fiesta is far cheaper than many alternatives by virtue of its relatively low CO2 emissions, especially with Ford’s mild hybrid electric EcoBoost engine.
Safety and security
The Ford Fiesta comes with seven airbags, lane-keeping assistance, and Ford’s MyKey system, a programmable ignition key that can limit the car’s top speed, mute the sound system, and prevent the disabling of the stability control system. This will give you peace of mind if you decide to hand over the keys to a driver who’s only recently passed their test.
However, disappointingly the Fiesta doesn’t include automatic emergency braking as standard at any trim level. Instead it’s reserved for the options list as part of the Driver Assistance Pack, which also adds adaptive cruise control and a driver impairment monitor. It’s worth noting that the Pack isn’t available with the entry-level Trend.
Finally, all versions of the Fiesta come with an engine immobiliser and Thatcham-approved alarm.
Reliability
The Ford Fiesta has a standard warranty of three years or 60,000 miles, broadly in line with the class average, although some way short of the five-year unlimited-mileage cover offered on one of the Fiesta’s rivals the Hyundai i20. You can add an extended warranty to cover your Fiesta for an additional one or two years, although you’ll need to sign up for that upon purchase.
The Car Planet verdict
Comfortable, well equipped and a pleasant drive, the Ford Fiesta is a fine small car, although relatively pricey at the higher trim levels compared to some of its competitors—perhaps most notably the Volkswagen Polo, which for our money pips the Fiesta for safety, ride comfort and rear seat space.
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