OTTAWA, Ontario - What better way to experience an urban runabout than on the busy streets of our nation's capital, through Sussex Drive's towering limestone edifices and tulip-banked boulevards to the bustling market district where local growers display their harvests next to converted warehouses housing boutique coffee roasters. The Ford Fiesta shines as a city car, but over the winding, pastoral country roads of the Gatineau valley, its tight, European handling makes it the most engaging performer in its segment.
What is a Ford Fiesta?
The sub-compact Fiesta, the smallest entry in Ford's lineup, offers practicality and fuel efficiency combined with lively driving dynamics. Although the nameplate has been in existence since 1976, with a brief stint in Canada between ’77 and the early ‘80s before it disappeared again. In 2010 the sixth generation of the Fiesta became available worldwide.
When it arrived in Canada in 2011, the Fiesta was our first taste of Ford's new global platform.
The Ford Fiesta returns for 2014 with refreshed styling, an updated user interface, and more interior refinement; but most importantly, two new engines.
2014 Ford Fiesta Price and Specs
Available in either sedan or hatchback (our test was limited solely to the five-door hatch), the Fiesta now offers three engine choices. In addition to the existing 1.6L 4-cylinder with 120 horsepower and 112 lb-ft of torque, there is a fuel-miserly 1.0L EcoBoost claiming 5.0L/100 km city, and a turbocharged 197 hp range-topping ST model will arrive later this fall.
The 2014 Ford Fiesta offers three trims: the base "S" model starts at $14,499, the "SE" -- predicted to be the volume seller -- starts at $16,599, and the Titanium, at $19,999.
ST versions will feature a single trim, starting at $24,999, with only moonroof, MyFord Touch, and Navigation as options. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, with an optional dual-clutch "powershift" automatic offered at $1,250.
Most of our drive was behind the wheel of a fully optioned Titanium, with Navigation ($800), heated leather seats ($1,200) and automatic transmission ($1,250). With freight and taxes, the as-tested price came to $28,628. Titanium models feature a high level of standard content, including SYNC, MyKey Intelligent key system, Sirius XM, power windows, remote keyless entry, heated front seats, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.
Driving the 2014 Ford Fiesta Hatchback
The Fiesta's firm suspension and great steering with decent levels of feedback make it one of the most enjoyable small cars on the market.
More sound-deadening insulation added to the interior and around the transmission tunnel create a ride that's surprisingly quiet for a sub-compact. The suspension is taut rather than hard and creates a lively balance between comfort and sporty.
Our route encompassed some unpaved countryside roads, through covered bridges and by pastures dotted with round hay bales. Over the worst of the bumps, the 2014 Ford Fiesta remained composed without any harshness, handling the curves without any undue body roll.
The "dual clutch powershift" transmission has revised software to eliminate gear hunting and, for the most part, it functioned smoothly with only the occasional lurch on downward inclines. The smoother transitions allow for better fuel economy with Energuide ratings of 6.8L city/4.9L highway versus the 6.9/5.1 recorded with the manual.
Five-speed gearboxes feature crisp throws with decent clutch take-up -- an engaging experience for drivers who prefer to keep revs up and control their own shifts.
Inside and Out of the 2014 Ford Fiesta
The Fiesta's exterior revisions include the new corporate "face of Ford." Wearing the stylish five-bar grille, Ford's smallest offering now resembles Aston Martin's smallest offering: the Cygnet.
Inside, the cabin has been reworked with a new centre console design, optional leather trim, and a revised MyFord Touch system. There's plenty of room for my 5'4" frame both fore and aft, but my 6’ driving partner was unimpressed with the compact rear-seating space. Trunk space is tight, as can be expected for this segment, although we managed to cram two carry-on bags into its 363 litres.
MyFord Touch garnered more than its share of criticism, and the latest version appears to have addressed these issues. Other than some fumbling with the Nav (most likely due to the ignorance of the user not the limitations of the system) it appeared fairly straightforward, although the voice recognition system seemed determined to interpret our "Gatineau" as "Alaska." The touchscreen itself is tiny and difficult to read.
Comparing the 2014 Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta boasts more power than the Toyota Yaris or Nissan Versa, but less than the 138 hp offered by the Chevrolet Sonic, Hyundai Accent, and Kia Rio. It has a higher level of standard equipment than the Honda Fit, which leads the class in resale value.
Overall, the 2014 Ford Fiesta is a nicely finished sub-compact, offering more driver engagement than any of its competitors.
What is a Ford Fiesta?
The sub-compact Fiesta, the smallest entry in Ford's lineup, offers practicality and fuel efficiency combined with lively driving dynamics. Although the nameplate has been in existence since 1976, with a brief stint in Canada between ’77 and the early ‘80s before it disappeared again. In 2010 the sixth generation of the Fiesta became available worldwide.
When it arrived in Canada in 2011, the Fiesta was our first taste of Ford's new global platform.
The Ford Fiesta returns for 2014 with refreshed styling, an updated user interface, and more interior refinement; but most importantly, two new engines.
2014 Ford Fiesta Price and Specs
Available in either sedan or hatchback (our test was limited solely to the five-door hatch), the Fiesta now offers three engine choices. In addition to the existing 1.6L 4-cylinder with 120 horsepower and 112 lb-ft of torque, there is a fuel-miserly 1.0L EcoBoost claiming 5.0L/100 km city, and a turbocharged 197 hp range-topping ST model will arrive later this fall.
The 2014 Ford Fiesta offers three trims: the base "S" model starts at $14,499, the "SE" -- predicted to be the volume seller -- starts at $16,599, and the Titanium, at $19,999.
ST versions will feature a single trim, starting at $24,999, with only moonroof, MyFord Touch, and Navigation as options. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, with an optional dual-clutch "powershift" automatic offered at $1,250.
Most of our drive was behind the wheel of a fully optioned Titanium, with Navigation ($800), heated leather seats ($1,200) and automatic transmission ($1,250). With freight and taxes, the as-tested price came to $28,628. Titanium models feature a high level of standard content, including SYNC, MyKey Intelligent key system, Sirius XM, power windows, remote keyless entry, heated front seats, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.
Driving the 2014 Ford Fiesta Hatchback
The Fiesta's firm suspension and great steering with decent levels of feedback make it one of the most enjoyable small cars on the market.
More sound-deadening insulation added to the interior and around the transmission tunnel create a ride that's surprisingly quiet for a sub-compact. The suspension is taut rather than hard and creates a lively balance between comfort and sporty.
Our route encompassed some unpaved countryside roads, through covered bridges and by pastures dotted with round hay bales. Over the worst of the bumps, the 2014 Ford Fiesta remained composed without any harshness, handling the curves without any undue body roll.
The "dual clutch powershift" transmission has revised software to eliminate gear hunting and, for the most part, it functioned smoothly with only the occasional lurch on downward inclines. The smoother transitions allow for better fuel economy with Energuide ratings of 6.8L city/4.9L highway versus the 6.9/5.1 recorded with the manual.
Five-speed gearboxes feature crisp throws with decent clutch take-up -- an engaging experience for drivers who prefer to keep revs up and control their own shifts.
Inside and Out of the 2014 Ford Fiesta
The Fiesta's exterior revisions include the new corporate "face of Ford." Wearing the stylish five-bar grille, Ford's smallest offering now resembles Aston Martin's smallest offering: the Cygnet.
Inside, the cabin has been reworked with a new centre console design, optional leather trim, and a revised MyFord Touch system. There's plenty of room for my 5'4" frame both fore and aft, but my 6’ driving partner was unimpressed with the compact rear-seating space. Trunk space is tight, as can be expected for this segment, although we managed to cram two carry-on bags into its 363 litres.
MyFord Touch garnered more than its share of criticism, and the latest version appears to have addressed these issues. Other than some fumbling with the Nav (most likely due to the ignorance of the user not the limitations of the system) it appeared fairly straightforward, although the voice recognition system seemed determined to interpret our "Gatineau" as "Alaska." The touchscreen itself is tiny and difficult to read.
Comparing the 2014 Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta boasts more power than the Toyota Yaris or Nissan Versa, but less than the 138 hp offered by the Chevrolet Sonic, Hyundai Accent, and Kia Rio. It has a higher level of standard equipment than the Honda Fit, which leads the class in resale value.
Overall, the 2014 Ford Fiesta is a nicely finished sub-compact, offering more driver engagement than any of its competitors.
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