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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  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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  Such a LEMON!! - 2012 Ford Fiesta
  By rebel_gurl314 - May 1 - 2:02 pm

  I bought my 2012 Ford Fiesta in Jan 2013 and it had 5,000 miles on it. 3 days after I brought it home I had it back to the shop due to the transmission was slipping, the car made horrible grinding noises (like in jeepers creepers when the girl didnt know how to get the car in the correct gears) and it would not pull a hill. I was told the car was fine and nothing was wrong with it. From then on out I have had the car at the shop 8 times would be more but they wouldnt take the car, ever time I was told nothing was wrong with the car. There is something defiantly wrong with the transmission and FORD knows it but they dont want to take responsibility for it!

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  Worst investment ever!!! DONT BUY!!! - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By sparlz17 - May 1 - 2:34 am

  I bought this car in august 2010.. my first car ive ever bought and Its been ok for the first 20,000kms.. you have to drive it decently cuz if you drive the RPMS up to much it will give your car problems. I have to say though recently I just had the car in the shop the past 3 weeks for RPM problems.. My car would basically drive itself.. I would sit in first gear at a complete stop and my RPM would revv all the way up to 3000 rpms.. its not a safe car at all. Only thing I would say is good about this car is the gas mileage.. thats about it. 100% DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!! I cant wait to sell it and get a honda civic and never have to deal with this problem.

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  This is a LEMON VEHICLE - 2012 Ford Fiesta
  By c_duran - March 2 - 10:42 am

  I purchased my vehicle 9 mo ago and have had it in the shop 4 times since! 2 of these were extremely dangerous experiences. Once the accelerator stuck during shifting gears and the other at highway speed it dropped to 10 mph max. All my issues have surrounded the accelerator. What makes it more frustrating is once the car turns off all error codes are reset...how convenient for Ford! They tell me I have to bring it in while error codes are active which seems to always happen after hours!!!

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  Dont buy this car! - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By maxmandd2 - March 2 - 2:29 am

  The first 10000 miles were fine ...it gets good gas mileage on the road, however it was downhill from there...Brakes grinded and front end bumped while turning the steering wheel ...every month it had increasingly poor accelleration and worst of all this car was unsafe. Often the manual transmission would not go into reverse and then it quickly got to where it would not shift from second gear to third while getting on freeways. I almost got rear-ended several times. Rather than have this junk pile worked on I traded it off after one year while it was still under warranty. Buy a Toyota instead!

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  THE WORST CAR EVER! - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By tamlyn - December 16 - 4:04 pm

  My Ford Fiesta 2011 has been in the garage more than times than I can count with a grinding noise in the transmission. Just got it back the other day from a 2 week stay in the Ford dealer garage, and they told me I had to live with it. How can they justify telling someone that , that has had this car in and out of the garage from day 1 with the same problem! Now that they put 10000 dollars into this car. The grinding noise has gotten so much worst since they worked on it. Not sure what my next step is but if anyone has any suggestions please e-mail me @ tammycrowder777@hotmail. Im at my wits ends with this car and the Ford company.

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  Would not recommend this car to my worst enemy! - 2012 Ford Fiesta
  By jennillicious - September 28 - 3:15 am

  This was my very first brand new car. I was very excited when I test drove it. Bought it with only 20 miles on it. At first I truly loved it. I was also sold on it having a supposed Sirius XM radio. (It does NOT by the way! so do not be tricked by the button on the dash labeled "SIRIUS" as I was) I have had it for 10 months and have put a little over 9,000 miles on it. It developed an oil leak and has been to service twice for the transmission. It stalled out on the interstate while I had my children with me and we had to be towed home right after the dealership gave it back to me saying they had repaired the transmission. This car is very unsafe and I am just so disappointed and angry!

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  Bad car to buy - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By stran00 - August 30 - 1:14 am

  Car is very small inside. Driver side window wont roll up all the way after one year. I will bring back to the dealer this weekend and see what happen. I was thinking of supporting American economy by buying this brand new Ford Fiesta 2011. But the quality are disappointing.

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  Not safe to drive on hills!! - 2012 Ford Fiesta
  By disappionted60 - July 25 - 1:08 pm

  I have always been happy with Fords - until I bought this Fiesta 2 months ago. I dont drive in the mountains, just some hills. There is a stop light at the base of the driveway into the place I work. The car cannot reach the 35 mph speed limit!! I stay in 2nd gear - the tach is over 3500 rpms - shift to 3rd and it slows down! Same problem on the highway - its ok if Im dong 60+ but otherwise, I watch the mph go down. down shifting doesnt do any good. Its a busy road with lots of semis. Dealer says its normal, nothing wrong with the car. I need to learn how to downshift. I have a co-worker with an automatic Fiesta hatchback... has the same problems.