LIFESTYLE ADDITION

Looking to expand the Fiesta family further Ford has also introduced the Active ‘crossover’. Matt Allan asks whether there’s space for another niche in a crowded market

Alongside the perst, Ford also launched the last member of the new Fiesta family – the “Suv-inspired” Fiesta Active.

Reflecting the car-buying public’s insatiable hunger for small two-wheel-drive cars dressed up like SUVS, the Active is the “rugged” member of the Fiesta family.

Ford slightly optimistically label it a crossover,. More realistically this is a hatchback with some body cladding and a minor (1.8cm) suspension lift.

Despite my cynicism over gussied-up hatchbacks, the look actually works really well on the Fiesta. There’s no way you would confuse it with a “proper” crossover such as Ford’s own Ecosport but the thin line of black protective plastic running around the wheelarches and along the door bottoms looks good paired with that tiny increase in ride height and the standard roof rails.

Away from the quasi-rufty-tufty looks it’s largely business as usual for the Active.

The standard Fiesta, in whichever get-up you chose, is one of the best superminis out there and the Active shares all its positives as well as its few negatives.

It drives just like a standard Fiesta, with great comfort and control. If anything, the higher ride and bespoke shock and spring setup (for “rough roads”) give a slightly softer ride than normal without a noticeable loss of control.

Engine-wise you have a full choice of Fiesta powerplants. Our test car came with the gusty 138bhp tune of the 1.0-litre petrol but experience tells us that the 124bhp version should be enough for most drivers. If you go for the 99bhp version you can spec a six-speed auto gearbox, otherwise it’s the excellent six-speed manual.

The interior is a comfortable, clear place for those in the front seat, brightened by a few Active-specific touches, but the Fiesta’s rear space is still a bit off the class leaders.

Specification-wise, the £17,795 Active 1 model slots in just above Zetec trim, with selectable drive modes (eco, normal and slippery), 17-inch alloys and the Active styling and suspension on top of the Zetec’s standard equipment. The Active 2 and 3 models get larger touchscreens, cruise control, a premium sound system, driver assistance such as auto high beam and traffic sign recognition and 3 adds partial leather seats, keyless entry and more.

As a whole concept, I’m not totally sold on the “slightly tall hatchback” segment but in terms of execution there’s little to criticise about the Fiesta Active. It looks good, drives as well as any other Fiesta and offers a very slightly squishier ride for those looking for more comfort.