Overview & Reviews

Unlike buying a sports car or luxury cruiser, purchasing an economy car isn't usually an occasion to celebrate. Yet with belt-tightening just about everywhere you look, the virtues of value and fuel efficiency are becoming just as important and appealing as eye-watering acceleration and sumptuous comfort. Ford tapped into these potentially changing tastes with its subcompact Fiesta.

The Ford Fiesta provides levels of refinement, sportiness and style that not too long ago were unthinkable in the economy class. We've found that the entry-level Ford boasts not only impressive comfort, enjoyable driving dynamics and an inviting cabin but also unexpected features like keyless ignition and Ford's Sync system. In other words, the Ford Fiesta is a winner. Even if you never thought you'd drive a subcompact car, it may be time to reconsider.

Current Ford Fiesta
The four-door Ford Fiesta subcompact is offered as a sedan and hatchback in S, SE and Titanium trim levels. The high-performance ST model is available only as a hatchback.

All but the ST come standard with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that produces 120 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, but a six-speed automated manual is optional. Optional for the SE is a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost engine that makes 123 hp. It only comes with a five-speed manual transmission and boasts an impressive estimated 37 mpg combined. The ST boasts a turbocharged 1.6-liter four with 197 hp and comes only with a six-speed manual. With a 0-60 mph time of 7.1 seconds, the ST is a quick little car.

The S trim's standard features include a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, air-conditioning, power locks and mirrors, Bluetooth phone connectivity and an audio system with a CD player and an iPod/USB interface. The SE adds keyless entry, power windows, cruise control, a trip computer, a front center armrest and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Titanium's added highlights, some of which are optional on the SE, include alloy wheels, foglamps, keyless ignition and entry, leather upholstery, heated front seats, automatic climate control, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, the MyFord Touch interface, Sync Services (traffic updates and turn-by-turn directions) and an upgraded audio system with both satellite and HD radio. The Fiesta ST's perks include unique bodywork, a sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch wheels, high performance tires, quicker steering, upgraded brakes and sport seats.

Inside, the Fiesta features a soft-touch dash and tight construction that impart a feeling of quality normally lacking in an entry-level car. The Fiesta's controls, especially for the stereo, can be a bit confusing even for the technologically minded, but are at least well placed. In terms of backseat and cargo space, the sedan is competitive with its rivals but the hatchback offers considerably less capacity than Honda's Fit.

On the road, the standard 1.6-liter inline-4 provides refined performance, and with either transmission gets the Fiesta to 60 mph in about 9.5 seconds. The available turbocharged inline-3 is a real gem, providing strong fuel economy, an energetic engine note and exceptional acceleration for the segment. Of course, the ST's power plant is the real thriller in a segment not known for pulse-quickening rides. Regardless of which version you get, the Fiesta boasts excellent steering response and suspension tuning that yields an ideal ride-and-handling balance. Handling is even sharper in the ST and although the ride is firmer as well, it's not too stiff for daily driver duty.

Used Ford Fiesta Models
The current-generation Fiesta bowed for 2011 and was essentially unchanged through 2013. Although otherwise similar, these Fiestas had slightly different styling and did not offer the MyFord Touch electronics interface, ST model or the turbocharged three-cylinder engine.

User Reviews:

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  Problems, Problems, Problems - 2012 Ford Fiesta
  By ian_labell - July 11 - 1:57 pm

  After purchasing in May of 12, the first problem arose after only 4000 miles. The clutch was making a squeaking noise when being used. I had to take it to the dealer twice, wasting two days before they would fix the problem, which happened to be an adjustment. Then at 30000 I noticed fluid leaking from the vehicle. Turns out it is the front axle, and the dealer wont be able to get me in until next week, and stated "well it should be fine until then." I thought Ford had made large strides in building better more reliable cars but I was incorrect. Never buy a Ford product, you WILL be let down.

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  my 2011 fiesta(cockroach) - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By cockroach2 - July 1 - 1:22 pm

  I have had no issues with it, love it. For me it runs great. I have no regrets. I do accelerate hard now after first 1000 miles. I have 15k on it now.

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  LEMON DO NOT BUY - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By stevienae - June 30 - 10:03 pm

  I purchased a 2011 Ford Fiesta in August of 2010. It is an automatic, not manual transmission. Within a month it was back at Ford with transmission issues and has continued to have problems despite at least 10 trips to the Ford Shop. I was told by Ford Engineer that it must be the way I was driving it. They felt I was breaking with my left foot with my foot not completely off the gas. I do not break with my left foot. I just had it voluntarily repossessed as I cannot in good conscious sell it to somebody. This was after the New Car Lemon Law process and denied, I offered to walk away from it and have the dealer resell it and laughed at for being upside down when asked to trade it in.

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  Adaptive Transmission and Poor Gas consumption issues - 2012 Ford Fiesta
  By coach_dizzy - June 26 - 10:37 am

  We purchased the 2012 Ford Fiesta SE (Auto) in August of last year. Since we have put on over 33,000 km on it. Never had a issue with until last week. While accelerating there seemed to be a slip or clunk in the transmission and there would be no acceleration for a very brief period of time. We also started to notice a dramatic drop in our MPG. The first 8 months of use we would get around 650km per tank of gas on a mixed driving terrain. Now we are lucky to push 425km per tank. Dealer says it was the ATC and said it is fixed now. We will see. I really hope the gas consumption gets resolved.

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  The Auto transmission - very bad - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By jeffm8 - June 20 - 9:50 pm

  The powershift transmission sounds at times like it is grinding aluminum cans in the transmission. Usually happens at slow speeds , turning or uphill. From stops or in turns, the trans lurches. On hard acceleration or highway, there are no issues. Have gone many rounds with ford dealer, corporate etc. All say this is normal for this trans. The powershift is dry clutch technology designed to hit high mileage. It delivers the goods on mileage, but the trans grinds louder than my 83 AMF Harley. Very disappointed, This is unacceptable to me. Ill give up a mpg or two for a smooth quiet hydraulic transmission. Took a loss on it and traded it for another manufacturers vehicle.

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  The no torque, suspension, easiest to drive and give up car. - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By musicmitch - June 17 - 1:51 pm

  Suspension: Front independent, but rear only a beam in the back - it bottoms out on bumps. NO torque from A standstill - almost got into two accidents when trying to accelerate from a standstill. The gas economy is not 29/39. My trip computer after 6000 miles, says I get only 17mpg in the city and 28 on the highway - UNACCEPTABLE for such a light car. I challenge anyone from Ford to come and look at my trip computer. The rear seat is severely cramped. The rear windshield is harder to see out of at night. No center bin front seat. When Arm rest extended, it interferes with cup holders. Ambient lighting is a waste of money. Front door has a weight imbalance. Blind spot mirrors hard to use.

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  truly so unhappy with Ford Fiesta - 2012 Ford Fiesta
  By mariawat1 - May 30 - 8:03 pm

  I bought my Ford Fiesta in 2012 brand new and brought it back within a couple of weeks with an obnoxious rattling noise, twice I was told that Ford was aware of the problem but they dont know what it is yet, once they figure it out they will fix it. August will be one year I hate this vehicle and the noise it makes I feel as though I am driving in an old rattle car like my sons 1993 Saturn at least he has an excuse the thing is old. How fair is it that I drive around in a vehicle I have to pay for every month when it sounds like a broken down old piece of junk. My third visit they figured out it was the transmission they will get the part in a couple of days that was may 15 today is May 30

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  BAD transmissions - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By wanderinwoods - May 24 - 9:55 am

  I bought the car a week ago and one the way home thought I heard some noise from the car, just told myself its breaking in. well after a few days of the wife driving it I drove it again and the trans is shot. It grinds HORRIBLY. so with only 600 miles exactly on it I took it to a dealer and had the tech ride along to see what the issue was. he said yeah its got a problem but nothing I can do about it. so took it to the dealer that sold it and at first they said they found nothing wrong with it. after I went with as the service writer drove it she decided it was extremely bad and did not want to finish the drive. so now I wait to see what happens.

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  Love My 2011 Fiesta SES - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By jimies - May 23 - 7:52 pm

  I do a lot of driving in the City. I wanted a car that was easy to park and drive in tight places. This car works perfect in these situations. The heated seats, push button start and the Sync system are all nice pluses. To date I have just over 37,000 trouble free miles on this car.

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  LEMON! LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST FORD FOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By lauren_nicole - May 9 - 5:54 pm

  By far the worst investment Ive ever made. Ive literally lost track of how many times Ive taken in this car for the transmission (Its actually in the shop right now and has been for over a month because there is such a high demand for these parts, they went on a national backorder!!) I filed a lawsuit with a lemon law attorney about a year ago. Ford offered me a settlement of $6,000 but I countered and they refused. The judge approved a mediation hearing and its scheduled for the end of this month. Cant wait to get my money back and get rid of this thing! Anyone thinking about investing in this POS, save yourself the time, money and headache.