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:
Showing 21 through 30 of 297.00-
uncomfortable - 2012 Ford Fiesta
By barryz - September 4 - 12:06 amI am only 5 ft 67 in tall, but my right knee is sore from rubbing on center console after a 300 mile drive, hurts even on short drives, and it seems i always hit the windshield wiper stalk to the on position when i get in car, even tho i am aware its there, my arm hits it every time i get in. Automatic trans shifts well and car is smooth and quiet at 80mph.
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Fiesta s 5 speed manual Just towed!!! - 2012 Ford Fiesta
By benchpress777 - July 13 - 12:39 amI bought a 2012 ford fiesta s for reliability.I am a courier which means i drive alot making deliveries.(o hold on tow truck guy calling.)so anyways driving today the traffic slowed down and i tried to down shift on highway.My clutch would not go into gear. I actually slowed down all the way to 25 mph on the highway till it it went in to gear.A semi was coming fast and almost rear ended me.Later on coming to a traffic light it would not shift into 1st gear.Eventually hardly any gears would work. barley made it home safely and loss money from not being able to make any more deliveries . I am very blessed it happened around midnight with less traffic.You know I was actually hoping this car would be much more reliable than a 2000 mercury sable i had.Theirin which nickled and dimed me after 2500 in repairs.I ended up trading it in on the fiesta .They junked the sable and gave 500 on trade. Who knows about the 2012 fiesta its sure not starting out good.I have driven 90% fords my hole life this one may be my very last.May even get out of it early.This is my honest story.1st tow around 15000 miles. Where did the quality go!
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GOTCHA TRANSMISSION. - 2012 Ford Fiesta
By artii - June 23 - 7:15 amI loved this car till it had 6500 miles. Car started to act lke the choke was coming on when slowing: car would almost stall out at stops. Took it in for service. they said that was normalfor this yr model. They actually gave me printed "tech notice" saying this was normal!!! I went on a 300 mile trip gas mileage went from 41 to 35 mpg AND it now over revs to shift. 1st and 2nd fair but reves to 5500 rpm from 3k to down shift. also over revs to down shift when passing and you can feel 3,4,5, gears as a mush bal and takes about 2 seconds to shift. Dangerous on the interstate!!!!!
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Ford Fiesta Transmission Problems - 2011 Ford Fiesta
By j2cub - December 9 - 9:07 amWell my Ford Fiesta had less than 1800 miles on it when the transmission started chattering while holding a steady traffic speed of 30 MPH after it warmed up. Now it does it bad between 30 and 55 MPH, still after it is warmed up. Its fine when its cold. Also twice after putting 2900 miles on the car, the transmission would not release when trying to stop at a stop light. It drove me through a red light, TWICE. It was as if I was driving a manual transmission car and forgot to put the clutch in. Scared me to death, but Im forced to keep driving it. Took it to Kline Motors, a Ford dealership in Winfield KS. They said they worked on it for 2 hours and charged over $172 and did nothing.
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Probably not best - 2011 Ford Fiesta
By cars77 - November 24 - 11:29 amThis car is probably not the best for your money. I have the SFE with auto trans and the trans is very jerky and makes strange noises and movements like it doesnt know what gear to be in from 0-30 mph. The car has 9000 miles and ford said to change oil every 10000 so that is what i was going to do. Around 5000, checked the oild and it was low so i added some. Around 8800 checked again and was again low so i added some. So i called the dealership and they said the would get it in 2 weeks. Took it to the dealership and said there was nothing wrong. That is just the oil problem. Also took it to the delership for a backfire that happened as i was merging. Ford says nothing wrong to that too.
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Ford or Hyundai the MPG is about the same - 2011 Ford Fiesta
By roadwarriorlt - October 26 - 9:37 amI have an S 4 door with an automatic and drive 78 miles one way to work plus 100 miles of city making calls each day, so I got the car to cut my daily gas cost. At the same time I was looking at a Hyundai Elantra which another sales person picked up for basically the same price as we both purchased pre-owned with 5k to 7k miles on the cars. I bring this up because Ford says 37 mpg for the automatic on the car and Hyundai says 40 mpg. Well after more than 1,100 miles and 3 tanks of gas. Im at 36.46 mpg and the Hyundai is at 37.10 mpg so the MPG are pretty close to the same.
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Not a Good Feeling About this Car - 2011 Ford Fiesta
By maxie6 - July 1 - 12:37 pmWas 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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Hate my Fiesta - 2011 Ford Fiesta
By hatemyfiesta - June 22 - 3:52 amI 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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Transmission Gone - 2011 Ford Fiesta
By ashley7979 - January 13 - 4:00 pmAfter 1,700 miles, my (automatic) transmission went out. I really picked a winner! lol
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Go with the Honda Fit - 2011 Ford Fiesta
By tangog - December 22 - 5:38 pmI am looking for a commuting car that can eventually be a hand-me-down. I just test drove both the fiesta and the honda fit with my 13 year old son - manual trans for both as I think it is needed on these small cars. After looking at the write-ups that made the fiesta sound great, I thought I would put it to the test. my son and I both thought the fit sport won hands down based on driving impressions and comfort. the fiesta needed to be jump started and smelled afterwards like clutch and brake - could be new car break in, definitely not me because I drive awesome - ha. At 5,000 rpm, it felt like it was going to blow. For die hard ford fans consider the focus - rebates are attractive.
