As for the all-important fuel economy, our week of driving is resulting in an average of 8.7 L/100 km; we could’ve done better, but we didn’t accumulate much highway mileage aboard the Fiesta.
Tuned for America, the car doesn’t handle quite as crisply as the European version Ford let us try out last year, but that’s ok; our version has a slightly more comfortable ride, more in line with what U.S. customers prefer anyhow. The Fiesta basically drives like a bigger car, but keeps its small-car manoeuvrability.
Interior space is good, but not extraordinary; the Honda Fit and the Nissan Versa are more adept at carrying four adults, while cargo space, whether the rear seatback is upright or folded down, isn’t as generous as in the aforementioned rivals as well as the Kia Rio5 and the Scion xD. Still, there’s sufficient room for four people and their belongings.
The SES trim is equipped with the SYNC multimedia system, and it’s just as competent as in any other Ford. Using voice recognition, songs can be summoned up by their title, artist name, genre or album title, which is great and something to impress your friends with. The stereo’s menu control knob is perched high on the dash and not very user-friendly, however. In addition, the wheel-mounted controls don’t include volume adjustment. Why not?
On sunny days, the shiny dashboard is reflected on the inside of the windshield, which takes getting used to. On the other hand, the car’s fit and finish is pretty good, with contrast piping on the leather seats and tasteful silver trim on the dashboard. Everything feels solid and substantial.
The rear-seat headrests are so big that they cut in on the view out the already-small rear window. You kind of get used to it, but backing out of a parking space is a little more challenging.
Tuned for America, the car doesn’t handle quite as crisply as the European version Ford let us try out last year, but that’s ok; our version has a slightly more comfortable ride, more in line with what U.S. customers prefer anyhow. The Fiesta basically drives like a bigger car, but keeps its small-car manoeuvrability.
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| Like in all Ford products, the SYNC multimedia system is great. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
Interior space is good, but not extraordinary; the Honda Fit and the Nissan Versa are more adept at carrying four adults, while cargo space, whether the rear seatback is upright or folded down, isn’t as generous as in the aforementioned rivals as well as the Kia Rio5 and the Scion xD. Still, there’s sufficient room for four people and their belongings.
The SES trim is equipped with the SYNC multimedia system, and it’s just as competent as in any other Ford. Using voice recognition, songs can be summoned up by their title, artist name, genre or album title, which is great and something to impress your friends with. The stereo’s menu control knob is perched high on the dash and not very user-friendly, however. In addition, the wheel-mounted controls don’t include volume adjustment. Why not?
On sunny days, the shiny dashboard is reflected on the inside of the windshield, which takes getting used to. On the other hand, the car’s fit and finish is pretty good, with contrast piping on the leather seats and tasteful silver trim on the dashboard. Everything feels solid and substantial.
The rear-seat headrests are so big that they cut in on the view out the already-small rear window. You kind of get used to it, but backing out of a parking space is a little more challenging.
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| Fit and finish inside the Fiesta is very good. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |