02/04/08
- Price£8595-£13,495
- We like...Drives nimbly, runs cheaply
- We don't...Too few airbags
An all-new Fiesta's on its way, but the current one is among Britain's favourite used carsFirst, a new Fiesta is due later in 2008. From the pictures we’ve seen, it’s much more boldly styled. If you’re buying a new one before then, stick out for a big discount on the brochure price. If you can find one at the right price, the current Fiesta is a great drive, nippy and alert. It’s also one of the cheapest cars to own, thanks to low spares prices, cheap servicing and affordable insurance.
Since its introduction six years back a new generation of bigger, quieter and posher superminis has arrived. By comparison, the Fiesta is a tiddler and feels tight on space. Ford has kept it competitive by improving the look and quality of the cabin trim and by adding extra gadgets as standard. There’s no denying that it can’t match the space, quietness and ‘big-car’ feel you’ll get from its arch-rival, the Vauxhall Corsa, or other challengers such as Renault’s Clio. The Fiesta falls behind on safety, and offers only twin front airbags as standard where most rivals include side and even curtain airbags, too. You can get these fitted, but they cost extra.
The driving position may still be uncomfortable over longer journeys, though, because there isn’t enough room for your size 11s in the footwell and there’s no foot-rest next to the clutch pedal.
Driving dynamics are exemplary thanks to well-weighted controls, accurate steering and nippy responses - in town and in the country. It cruises on motorways effectively, too - although plenty of road noise enters the cabin at speed.
The basic 1.25 petrol engine revs happily but can only deliver modest performance, and we prefer it to the more powerful 1.4, which sounds coarse when worked hard. Meanwhile, the 1.6 that propels the Zetec-S lacks pep for its size. The TDCI diesels are lively, capable of 60mpg or more, and boast sub-120 g/km CO2 emissions figures, which are good.
Why not search for a used Ford on motors now! We have thousands of quality used Ford Fiestas to choose from covering all models.
- Engines1.25, 1.4,1.6, 2.0, 1.4 TDCi, 1.6 TDCi
- Power
- 0-60 mph14.4-8.6sec
- Economy64.2-38.2m
- CO2g/km116-177
- Insurance groups3-13
- EuroNCAP
- Airbags2
- Seats5
Motors.co.uk value verdict:
