FIESTA DRIVEN: Plus how it rates against its key rivals
We take wheel as Ford irons out UK supermini top seller's shortcomings to make it posher, more practical and higher-tech without losing any of its driving fun
Big changes under the skin put Fiesta back among the class best
New trim levels and engines boost family appeal of supermini
WE’VE seen it on the motor show stands and been up close during static photo shoots, but after months of waiting Auto Express has finally got behind the wheel of one of 2017’s most eagerly awaited cars – the all-new Ford Fiesta.
The newcomer has some big shoes to fill, because even after eight years on sale its predecessor still had a firm grip on the top of the sales charts, plus it continues to set the class standard for driving fun.
Ford bosses are acutely aware that upmarket models such as the VW Polo and new SEAT Ibiza – the latter still basking in the glow of its New Car Awards success (Issue 1,479) – have edged well ahead of the Fiesta for quality, refinement and infotainment; features that supermini buyers are increasingly prioritising. Ford has therefore ensured the eighth-generation Fiesta has been given a welcome dose of upmarket appeal, a raft of hi-tech features and a much-needed boost in practicality.
There’s also the addition of a highriding Active version and a luxurious Vignale flagship, plus the familiar Zetec and Titanium specs. However, it’s the popular five-door St-line trim we sample here, with the most powerful 138bhp version of the familiar 1.0-litre three-cylinder Ecoboost petrol engine, which is also available in 99bhp and 123bhp states of tune.
A new naturally aspirated 1.1-litre triple will arrive later this year, while diesel fans have the option of a 118bhp 1.5-litre TDCI. Finally, there will be an all-new 197bhp three-cylinder 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol for the scorching ST hot hatch.
At a glance, the new car looks very similar to its predecessor – no surprise given it’s
“The Fiesta is a fraction bigger than before, which adds up to a useful increase in cabin space”
still based on the Global B platform – with the same trapezoidal grille, sweptback headlamps and rising waistline. The larger, horizontal tail-lights help give it a more grown-up look, however. St-line models get a bodykit that comprises deeper front bumpers, side skirts and a tailgate spoiler.
The new Fiesta is a fraction bigger. It’s 71mm longer and 12mm wider, and there’s an extra 4mm in the wheelbase, which adds up to a useful increase in interior space.
Inside it’s not the extra room that you’ll notice first because the cabin is a revolution. The cheap-feeling plastics, scattergun ergonomics and low-res, monochromatic screens of old are gone, replaced by something far more modern, and packed with premium appeal.
Sitting on top of the classy-looking new dashboard is the large, tablet-style touchscreen. Our car boasted a £300 satnav upgrade with an eight-inch display (a 6.5-inch unit is standard), but all models from the Zetec up get Ford’s SYNC3 software as standard. This features crisp graphics and slick smartphone integration thanks to its handy Applink set-up, which bundles in Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Our model was also fitted with a powerful-sounding £300 Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker audio system.
The Ford impresses with its soft-touch materials and solid build. It’s not quite up to the VW’S high standards, with some harder plastics lower down in the cabin, but it’s on a par with the Ibiza.
As before, there’s a decent amount of seat and wheel adjustment, which in combination with the perfectly placed pedals and gearlever, results in an excellent driving position. Few superminis place the driver so squarely at the centre of the action. Thumb the starter button of this St-line model and the three-cylinder Ecoboost fires unobtrusively into life.
Ford has worked hard on refinement, with improved soundproofing in the body and revised suspension bushes. As a result
there’s less road noise on the move and the engine is more muted for longer periods. Work the 1.0-litre hard and there’s some characteristic three-cylinder thrum when extended, but it now matches the class leaders when it comes to quietness.
This calmness in the cabin is matched by the Fiesta’s sophisticated ride, which felt supple and composed on the admittedly well surfaced Spanish launch route. Yet even the occasional rougher tarmac failed to knock the smooth-riding Fiesta off its stride. This is particularly impressive because St-line models feature a 10mm lower ride, plus stiffer springs and dampers.
Fortunately, this more mature feel doesn’t come at the expense of engaging driving dynamics. This is down to a combination of wider track (30mm at the front and 10mm at the rear), a slicker steering system and the adoption of a similar torque vectoring set-up to the larger Focus.
Turn into a corner and you can feel the reduction in resistance through the steering, which is naturally weighted and delivers just enough feedback. There’s bags of front-end grip and the nimble Fiesta locks on to your chosen line even when carrying plenty of speed through a corner. Excellent body control means that even mid-corner bumps and rapid changes of direction fail to upset the Ford’s rock-solid composure.
Yet there’s a playful side to the Fiesta that means you can subtly tweak its balance through a bend with a combination of steering and throttle. The fun is enhanced by the engine, which with 138bhp and 180Nm of torque, delivers decent performance and a characterful growl when worked hard. Better still, all versions of this engine get a six-speed gearbox for the first time. The extra ratio unlocks a little extra performance – Ford claims 9.0 seconds for the 0-62mph sprint – and benefits from a quick and precise action.
Apply more restraint and the Ford is as easy to drive and live with as ever. The major controls are light and progressive, making it a doddle to direct in town, while visibility is good, apart from the small rear window and thick C-pillars. Parking sensors and a rear-view camera can be added for £250 to help overcome this.
The Fiesta is more family-friendly, too, with the longer wheelbase giving an extra 16mm of legroom in the rear. It’s now a match for models such as the Polo, if not the spacious Nissan Note. The boot is fractionally larger, at 292 litres, and has a wider opening; a variable boot floor costs £75.
Then there are the advanced new safety systems that are a must for any car aimed at family motorists. Emergency Assistance and lane departure warning are standard, while
“There’s bags of front-end grip and the nimble Fiesta locks on your chosen line”
the options list features big-car kit such as cross traffic alert (£475) and adaptive cruise control with autonomous braking (£200-£500 depending on model).
While the Fiesta has the refinement, technology and even the space to rival larger cars, it should still cost buttons to run. Our 138bhp Ecoboost promises 62.8mpg and emits just 102g/km of CO2, making it attractive to business users. You can expect low servicing and insurance bills, too.
So it’s a triumphant return to the top for the Fiesta, then? The short answer is yes, but there is a caveat. In standard guise the St-line 140 Ecoboost will set you back a hefty £17,595, while our test car was closer to £20,000 with the various options fitted.
But bear in mind that the better-value Zetec with the 98bhp version of this engine promises to deliver the same quality, driving dynamics and refinement for a far more reasonable £15,445, and with Ford’s Solutions PCP it can be on your drive for £245 a month with a £1,250 deposit.