The lack of wind noise was another pleasant surprise. Maybe the smooth exterior shape helps, as do the side mirrors, which are a tad on the small side, but look really aerodynamic. In short, a great little car to scoot around town and on the highway.
In the cabin
As soon as you slide into the driver’s seat, you’re aware that this is not your father’s Tempo. Interior styling is in the modern idiom — no right angles anywhere, and the centre stack evokes the look and feel of a cell phone. Not quite my cup of interior tea, especially the mini-screen that forces you to go scrolling to get most anything adjusted, but I’m sure it’s all groovy with the younger folk, who are quite used to such things.
There is quite a lot of plastic painted to look aluminum, but if it were real aluminum it wouldn’t be in this price class, so not really complaining here, just observing.
And that’s it for the negativity in the cabin, the rest is all good. Lots of glass up front, for an airy feeling. Comfortable seats with lots of adjustments. Clear instrumentation. Switches that feel like they'll go the distance.
Back seat space for my 5-ft 8-in frame was very good. I could rest my thighs on the seat and tuck my feet under the front seat. The back window is bit small, due to the upward sloping beltline, and rear headroom might be an issue for basketball players. Rear seats fold forward in a 60/40 split, but not neatly or flatly. The tailgate opens wide and easily, to reveal a decent cargo area (for B-car standards); though there is a lip you’ll have to throw things over.
Conclusion
There's no doubt Ford got this one right. Great styling, Great road manners. Modern powertrains. It looks to be the most edgy of the B-cars currently on the North American scene.
It seems, however, to give lots away to the Honda Fit, in terms of utility. Also, in North America, Fiesta will have to compete against C-cars that are often selling at slashed MSRPs. Here's hoping it can do its part to get more North Americans excited about small cars with character.
photo:Mike Goetz
In the cabin
As soon as you slide into the driver’s seat, you’re aware that this is not your father’s Tempo. Interior styling is in the modern idiom — no right angles anywhere, and the centre stack evokes the look and feel of a cell phone. Not quite my cup of interior tea, especially the mini-screen that forces you to go scrolling to get most anything adjusted, but I’m sure it’s all groovy with the younger folk, who are quite used to such things.
 |
| Styling is in the modern idiom — no right angles anywhere, and the centre stack evokes the look and feel of a cell phone. |
There is quite a lot of plastic painted to look aluminum, but if it were real aluminum it wouldn’t be in this price class, so not really complaining here, just observing.
And that’s it for the negativity in the cabin, the rest is all good. Lots of glass up front, for an airy feeling. Comfortable seats with lots of adjustments. Clear instrumentation. Switches that feel like they'll go the distance.
Back seat space for my 5-ft 8-in frame was very good. I could rest my thighs on the seat and tuck my feet under the front seat. The back window is bit small, due to the upward sloping beltline, and rear headroom might be an issue for basketball players. Rear seats fold forward in a 60/40 split, but not neatly or flatly. The tailgate opens wide and easily, to reveal a decent cargo area (for B-car standards); though there is a lip you’ll have to throw things over.
Conclusion
There's no doubt Ford got this one right. Great styling, Great road manners. Modern powertrains. It looks to be the most edgy of the B-cars currently on the North American scene.
It seems, however, to give lots away to the Honda Fit, in terms of utility. Also, in North America, Fiesta will have to compete against C-cars that are often selling at slashed MSRPs. Here's hoping it can do its part to get more North Americans excited about small cars with character.
photo:Mike Goetz
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