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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  Dont buy this car. - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By Steve Haering - October 18 - 10:30 am

  Acceleration - dismal at best, I wouldnt want to be in front of a semi-truck when the light turns green. Bluetooth - in theory its fine. But to turn it on, you have to use the voice activation and say "Bluetooth audio" whenever you start the car. It gets old after 50,000 miles. Braking - Substandard. I feel like Im driving a Mustang. Good luck braking on anything but dry pavement Cargo / Storage - Good enough to put someone in the trunk. The back seat could use space. Climate control - The spray seems a bit uneven in places Comfort - Only one arm rest and no center console. Awesome Dealership Support - Yeah, thats funny. Every time I take it in for transmission grinding "Oh, well recalibrate it. Wait three days". Electronics - Somehow they have a crappy Microsoft radio that only supports USB connections via an Apple device. Explain that one. Entertainnment - what entertainment? Performance - see above. Fuel Economy - It gets a great 40mpg when youre cruising on flat land at 55mph. Headlights - dismal, cant see anything. The brights are like my Camaros regular beams. Navigation - None Noise and Vibration - the tranny is constantly shuddering. Makes me feel really good about driving it, let me tell you. Purchase cost - I could have bought a bottom of the line Camaro for three thousand more. Reliability - little to none due to the Tranny issue. Resale value - abysmal. Okay. Anyway. Let me actually go into detail a little bit. This car is fine, until you hit the transmission issues. It shudders, it clicks, it whines, and it makes you feel like you arent actually going to shift, instead its going to stall out. Its an AUTOMATIC and it feels like its going to stall. Awesome, right? Ive had it into the dealership five times for the same issue, they keep recalibrating the transmission, and absolutely nothing happens. Someone explain that one to me. Trying to get rid of this car is like trying to get rid of herpies - its impossible. Probably because everyone knows that its a horrible car.

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  Not impressed - 2015 Ford Fiesta
  By lholzem@gmail.com - October 9 - 10:05 pm

  I drove a rental ford fiesta for a month after my 2004 Camry was declared a total loss. The first thing I noticed was the lack of power and poor transmission. The shift button on the automatic transmission seemed like a cool idea but it was hard to use and irradic. I used to drive a Honda Fit with paddle shifters, Hondas design is much better. My second big complaint is the turning radius is terrible. The car is approximately 2 feet shorter than my Camry, yet I could not make U turns that would have been easy in my Camry. The car also felt cheap and the radio/Aux input were not intuitive. Gas mileage was decent and its easy to park in the city. The ride is sort of jerky, similar to the Honda Fit. For me the compact size is the biggest plus. If I were looking for a car this size, I would not even consider the fiesta though, check out the Honda fit or smallest Prius.

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  next time - 2014 Ford Fiesta
  By mike - October 9 - 12:42 pm

  mine is a 2014 fiesta with less than 10,000 miles automatic but drives like a standard . try to make a right or left turn from a stop and it shimeys so badly you have to almost stop .every time there will be no next time buying a ford

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  nothing but problems - 2012 Ford Fiesta
  By Jack - October 5 - 4:03 pm

  I have had constant transmission problems. Car constantly shudders in low gear. i have had it back for servicing 5 times in 3 years and the problem is still not corrected. Car also has constant transmission noises the dealership has stated that the noise is part of the transmission and is to be expected. I owned a Taurus and a Focus before this but i will not buy a Ford vehicle again

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  Ford Motor Corp - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By mammie J Holloway - September 30 - 9:15 am

  Recalls this car is very unsafe for your family. Ford motor corp just want you to for get about the recalls. Rockwall Ford motor took care what corp would let them do. I ready dont think this car is safe two doors has came open while on the road my daugther could have been kill thanks to Rockwall ford that care for people to help me. The only think I wanted from Corp was to buy the car back and gave me a save one. That didnt work.

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  A much improved year for the Fiesta! - 2014 Ford Fiesta
  By Mitchell - September 28 - 10:23 pm

  I have read so many bad reviews on the 2011 and 2012 fiestas and i think the 2014s are alot improved compared to those. My transmission used to be kind of unresponsive and sluggish but a trip to the dealer and a software upgrade made it more zippy and ride and drive like a dream. I kind of lost hope in the fiesta until i made the trip and now i am really satisfied with the car. What you pay is what you get with this car. You get bluetooth with hands free phone support which is my favorite feature to have in any car. Sound system sounds great, i jam in the car everyday and everytime i drive it. Car is pretty comfortable considering the price range. I would recommend this car as long is its 2014 or above as these are much more reliable, fun, and better looking then the older models!

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  Absolute garbage car - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By British guy - September 28 - 3:49 pm

  Im not sure why the highlighted review indicates 4+ out of 5 stars. I bought this care used with 11.000 miles, previously owned by an 84 year old lady. It shuddered so badly that it would reverberate your voice when talking. Its shifting sounds like a tool box rolling down concrete stairs. It accelerates slower than the 18 wheeler I drive for a living. Please dont buy this car, it will be more than a regret and a gigantic headache.

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  Not a good choice ! - 2012 Ford Fiesta
  By Christina - September 25 - 7:06 am

  I bought my 2012 Ford Fiesta brand new and loved it . It was cute and drove great! Right when I hit about 30,000 miles , everything went down hill. My 2 rear doors flew open and wouldnt latch [non-permissible content removed] on the freeway (recall) then the clutch needed to be replaced due to is slipping and grinding . This last time , 1 month after the clutch replacement , my car would just start revving while Im at a complete stop. I should have purchased the extended warranty ! Im trading it in now , hoping for better luck with a 2016 Ford Fusion.

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  FUN and Sporty - 2015 Ford Fiesta
  By David Michaels - September 18 - 6:58 am

  Had my 2015 Feista for 2 months and very impressed. Looks small but once you get in its bigger then you think. Also was amazed at the power it had going from ramp to highway. Inside was designed with good taste and style. Why pay so much more for a bigger car when you are paying for empty space. Know I know why Europe has so many smaller cars.......there smart.

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  Great car so far. - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By Matt - September 6 - 12:44 am

  The thing about the transmission this is not your typical automatic transmission. If you let off the gas at low speeds in between gears, it will shift. Once you get past 2nd gear, it acts more like an automatic. Keep this in mind when you buy this car. Treat it like a you would a manual with no clutch petal at low speeds because that is what this is. It took some getting used to but I am willing to deal with it for awesome fuel economy that it gets. Comfort is great up front. Gadgets are really nice to have. Steering is like second nature. Maybe Ford should explain that the transmission is brand new technology and there is a technique to making it shift more smoothly at lower speeds.