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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  Engine blew up at 4300 miles - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By stormy442 - July 20 - 8:05 pm

  The car has 4300 miles and the engine blew up. We called Ford to have it towed into the dealer for repair. 2 days later they called to say the car had been wrecked. No one knew how but since it had no anti freeze in it then, they voided the warranty forcing us to use our insurance. We had both the firefighters write statements on our behalf that at the time they arrived for the car reported as a car fire, they inspected the car completely and it had no damage at all to it other than a blown engine. Ford said they did not care and we would have to prove differently! In my opinion they have forgot the tough times of the past and do not care about continuing customer care after the sale.

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  A sharp lookin ride with MPGs to match! - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By mechanic80 - July 18 - 6:19 pm

  Granted, its only been the first thousand miles, but the fuel economy is fantastic. I drive almost exclusively highway and have been averaging over 45 MPG. The manual transmission is relatively smooth and Im sure if I had gotten an automatic the power would be disappointing. The A/C adds a considerable burden to the no-where-near overpowered engine. I have to say that even in white, its a sharp looking car (hatchback with graphics and tinted windows.) There are real issues, though, specifically the comfort and safety of the front seats. I hope I never get smacked hard in the rear (of the car!) because the way the headrests hit at the top of the head, Id probably snap my neck.

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  Overall I love it! - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By mmason5 - July 12 - 9:52 pm

  I have had this car for about a month now and I am fairly satisfied. Im a single guy with no kids so I could really care less about the leg room for the back seat. Besides for a single guys sometimes its even better to collapse the seats down for a bit more cargo space. I love the exterior design and the interior of the SE model is very sleek for a compact car in its price range. You will LOVE the built in bluetooth/SYNC system. The only dissapointments I have is the jerky clutch/automatic transmission that does struggle at time when going from stop to 30 mph, after that it drives very smooth and it has excellent suspension for a vehicle its size. I have yet to reach 30 mpgs yet :(

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  Pretty good car - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By chrisherron64 - July 6 - 3:28 pm

  I bought the car in February. Its lives up to its billing as far as milage. Pretty comfortable, nice to drive. Be prepared to bring some money to get all of the cars features. Good credit terms from Ford.

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  Another FUN small car from Ford... - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By cafiestase - July 3 - 1:30 am

  I purchased my car in April and got it right off the truck. It is a 6-speed trans, SE sedan. For me the trans is a love/hate situation. When in stop/go traffic, it tends to buck/jerk. I took it to the dealer and they found nothing...thats right on par with what service guys/gals are programmed to say. The next time I ask them to have the Trans Guy ride with me. The car has alot of European touchs that we are not used to getting in a car at this price. I.e., a liquid cooled, oil cooler. Because of the normally fine 6-speed trans, there is little to no effort staying with the traffic on an up-hill clime.

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  Not a Good Feeling About this Car - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By maxie6 - July 1 - 12:37 pm

  Was not intending to buy this car but just want to test drive it. When dealer drop the sticker price by $700+ dollars I gave in. I like the overall outside appearance of the car. The backseat leg room is sufficient for a couple of 4 year olds and thats about it. The muffler had weld splatter and rust all over the one end facing the rear of the car (poor quality control and workmanship). The automatic transmission is real "quirky" at low speeds - like it doesnt know what gear it should be in. My gut feeling tells me that I may have "bought a pig in a poke" and I am going to be paying for that "Good Price" I got the car for.

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  Love this car...mostly! - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By cafiestase - June 29 - 3:00 am

  I purchase the car new..."off the truck" in Apr 11. Now in late June I have 4,K on the clock. Ride is very quite for a car of this size/price. I believe the engine gives off a nice sound when pushed. On smooth roads it is sound proofed well, only slight engine noise at 2750 to 3000 RPMs, not b4 or higher. Handling in the twisties it is fun to drive and handles very well. The radio/Satellite/Phone/CD/Sync is wonderful, but, it is complicated, but then I am 73, maybe thats why... Overall, Ford has done a great job on this car. I only hope that it will prove to be as good as 03 Ford 2.3 Focus I owned.

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  Hate my Fiesta - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By hatemyfiesta - June 22 - 3:52 am

  I have owned my Fiesta hatchback for 2 months now. The Sync system is a joke. The only part of it that works 50% of the time is syncing my Ipod. None of the voice commands listed in the owners manual work except the initial sync. The transmission jerks while shifting if Im driving below 30 miles per hour. I have 2,000 miles on my car and I have to take it into the dealer to have the software on 3 of the cars computers updated. I can only imagine what awaits me down the road regarding the computers. Gas milage is cut by 8 mpg unless I go through a long process to disengage the traction control every time I start the car.

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  Everything we expected - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By carvil - June 11 - 5:31 pm

  My wife an I purchased a white hatchback (we tinted the windows) about 20,000 miles ago. Taken a trip from Detroit to NC and one to Fla. In the city we are getting 32.5 mpg. On the highway with just my wife and I (no luggage) we get 45.0 mpg. The car is quiet with little noise from without. could us a little more room for my right leg while driving. Other than that, we have had no dissapointments with this car. Glad we bought the standard shift..lots of fun.

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  Excellent little car- 6 speed automatic SE. - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By s_carlock - May 29 - 10:06 am

  My wife and I have had our Fiesta for about 9 months now and have put around 10.5k miles on it in the time, including a trip from Austin, TX. to Charleston, SC and back, totaling 2400 miles of travel (probably a bit more since we took detours) and the car has been reliable every step of the way. For the price, the Fiesta is an excellent vehicle. The construction seems solid (love how heavy the doors are), the seats are comfortable once adjusted to personal taste -- our cross-country trip was a 24 hour drive each way, non-stop -- the storage space in the sedan is excellent. The Sync system has been a little fussy at times, but not a deal-breaker. Just takes a little time to get used to.