With all the hype about the Ford Fiesta, I was really looking forward to driving this car. I’ve driven a lot of Ford entry-level product (Festiva, Focus, Escort, Condor) over the years and was so hoping this car would be different.
Well it is.
I drove the top of the line SES, which features leatherette, SYNC, Alloy wheels, push-button start and no moon-roof or navigation available.
I was most impressed with the suspension and handling. The bumps are not bad and dips didn’t send me into the roof. The steering was tight and responsive, tracking through all my cones and slaloms, with hardly any body roll on hard corners. Not that I’m much of a racer, but considering the age group this car is targeting, forget trying to fade this car on dry asphalt. The standard engine configuration of the Ford Fiesta is a 1.6l 4cyl 119 horsepower with 109 ft. lbs. of torque at a much lower rpm (4250) than other models in this class. The CVT (automatic), like all CVT’s , squealed when I floored the gas pedal almost to the red line before it got into traffic. However, on smoother in motion acceleration it snapped to it and once to speed moved smartly and stays with the traffic without much effort.
The exterior design is very European, leaving hardly a trace of it’s “FORD” DNA if you didn’t have the ugly blue oval smack on the grill. The shape allowed for aerodynamic efficiency without being buffeted by the wind. Unlike the Honda Fit, the car the Fiesta most closely resembles, the roominess inside the Ford defies the extended height of the Honda, sans the glass. The Fiesta features minimal glass, small windows, back-hatch and windshield all wedged into a high belt-line, which left a few blind-spots in the third (C) pillar, if you didn’t use the deluxe mirrors with the wide-angle extension embedded in the outside corners. The color choices are typical neutrals and a handful of brilliant youthful colors all draped in a black interior, (hot for the desert). The paint finish was amazing; smooth, rich metallic in rich iridescent tonalities that glowed and changed in the light, as if customized for a street rod. Not a domestic dimple or orange peel to be found, congratulations. I’d drop an upgrade of chrome exhaust tips on the two tiny tubes peaking out from under the bumper, 
they looked small and cheap, defusing the excitement of the visual package. Wrap around lamps, turning signals on the sideview mirrors and a sloped back hatch that opens straight up, make the Fiesta more amenable to tall passengers in the rear, and those standing in the back loading the hatch won’t hit their head.
Inside the fit and finish has certainly been upgraded to the 21st century, with touches of chrome and aluminum paint breaking-up the predominantly black cave. The dash, wide and flat gives more room to the front passenger and driver, while the windshield has a distinctive rake. The radio controls and keypad for dialing made the center console look very high tech, back-lit in red with toggle buttons for navigating the stereo, Bluetooth, and SYNC, but you will have to pull over or take your eyes off the road to manage these features as they are not ergonomically easy. Though the console control buttons are large, a subtle pitch to the left would have been handy, not to mention, the door lock/unlock button was not on the door. Be prepared to look high and low before locating this lit/unlit feature in the center of the console, below the radio volume control.
No armrest for the driver was a bummer, like the MAZDA 2, it’s half-sister. In the rear seat behind the driver, I was surprised how tight the knee room was, maybe 2″ with a barely 60 degree door opening and a rather deep sill, entering and exiting is not for the over fifty crowd. The cargo area with the seats up is 12.3 cu inches, the smallest in the class. The
The seats are reasonably comfortable but I wouldn’t recommend the leatherette in LAS VEGAS or other desert climates, for obvious reasons. The sound system was a solid plus with balanced speakers in proportion to the cabin, they replaced the outside world noise with medium volume and no distortion. The iPod AUX jack and USB port are easily accessible, unlike some hidden in the glove box. The SYNC is by far the coolest technology in the auto industry right now. Voice command recognition, music player upload and Bluetooth integration are features usually found in cars twice the price.
Fuel economy is the highest in the class with a whooping 29 city and 38 highway in an AUTOMATIC!
Warranty is 3 years/36k miles basic limited and 5yr./60K powertrain, an upgrade on the powertrain over the others in this class.
Prices start at $15,999 for the base model and the SES loaded was $21,200.00 (I think the middle range competitively equipped to the the Honda Fit Sport and Mazda 2 Sport I drove previously, this car comes in the highest at $20,200.00)
All in all the 2011 Ford Fiesta delivers a very nice package that competes evenly with the others in the class.
PROS: Handling, SYNC, seats and paint colors/finish. GENDER-AGE-neutral
CONS: Back seat leg room, hatch cargo space, no arm rest standard, price.
If you need any other car buying, selling, trading or financing assistance on any new or used vehicle, please do not hesitate to email me at sarahlee@mycarlady.com or give me a call; 702-521-7546
I’m here to help you with any of your automotive needs and advice is free.
Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at CAR DEALS
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