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:

• 

  DO NOT buy this car!! - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By paigelarissa - May 13 - 10:59 pm

  bought this car brand new in 2010. Didnt have any issues for about 6 months. Then it all happened at once! Ford does not tell you that even if the car is automatic that it has a manuel transmisson. The car is VERlY sluggish! Feels exactly like you are driving a stick shift,also shifts into gear VERY hard.Had to have my car towed to Ford because of my car not driving,just sitting and revving RPMs.got told they updated software.well once i got it back when i would back out of my driveway and go into drive it would shift SO hard that it would jerk my head and body.Ford proceeded to tell me this was a "normal hesitation" because the car has a manuel transmission! im no car expert but i know a

• 

  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.

• 

  Transmission Replaced at 300 miles - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By jartiv - April 7 - 10:17 pm

  Performance: unless we measure performance with how loud of a scrapping noise the transmission makes, than I give the Fiesta a 1. Comfort: 53" Driver, I am not comfortable without an armrest. 511" side passenger has seat all the way back. 50 driver cant fit behind 511". Value: paid 15k for an SE Sedan with Super Fuel Economy (code for cruise control) and Sync (bluetooth connectivity) and a transmission that made scrapping noise. 1. Interior/Exterior Design: trendy. 4. Build Quality: transmission replaced at 300 miles. 1. Reliability: transmission replaced at 300 miles. 1.

• 

  Major Mistake for buyers - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By kpdvice - March 8 - 1:16 am

  Purchased a loaded sedan for my wife 3 weeks ago. After doing research and deciding we liked the mileage it got. We averaged about 38 mpg with the car in city / highway combined. Seats were comfortable except everytime we drove it neither of us could walk after about an hour behind the wheel. SNYC system was horrible and complicated to operate. Vehicle has no tow hooks so when it gets stuck in 3 inches of snow you cant yank it out. no way to shut off the traction control system off so when its stuck in the afore mentioned 3 inches of snow you cant rock it out either. the automatic transmition jerks in and out while driving. This car was so bad we traded it in within a month!!!!

• 

  Dont get a Fiesta - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By rm - November 28 - 2:00 am

  The car is in the shop right now after putting in only 100 miles.I have an engine light on and a traction control. The technician told me that they have to change the whole engine. They have to order the engine first and it would take probably two weeks to fix it. I bought the car because I read a lot of good reviews from this car. Im very disappointed!!

• 

  50/50 Bar - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By JDAWG - November 21 - 2:00 am

  This car was chosen by my daughter as it was "new" and had great ads etc. It "looked great" I guess like a pair of shoes. I drove it and gently attempted to talk her out of it after I noticed the window sticker. No the mileage is pretty good if not great but its made in Mexico? I nearly had a myocardial infarction on the spot. I dont want a car made in Mexico, sorry folks its not that I dont like Mexico but honestly I just dont see this as a place that has a history of building great cars that last forever. Last I remember VW built their last beetles there? Anyway, yeah it squeaks, rattles and its getting worse not better, who takes it in. Yep its me. But could be worse?

• 

  Transmission is awful, seats rusted, cheap car - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By Patrick Corso - August 19 - 12:22 am

  Powershift SE model. The transmission is awful always jittering, clutch burning out unusually fast, the metal under the seats rusted COMPLETELY in a after leaving the dealership, plastic components in the car are prone to breaking, and not a whole lot of space anywhere. I owned this car for one year and finally washed my hands of it. The transmission is my biggest issue with this car it is absolutelyour awful and causes the clutch to burn early, the dealer only offers replacements not a fix, I would never recommend this car to anyone.

• 

  What a joke this thing is and continues to be.Not - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By Georg - June 8 - 11:35 am

  What a massive screw up ford made her...Shame on Ford for producing such a poorly designed Car The car would be better if their was some room inside, a VW Bug has more interior room. Plus this Tranny even after its so called fix sound like a Carton of tin cans or a bad sounding wind chime. .At freeway speeds it is stable but the quality of the ride is so poor. If youre single and need a cheep car then its ok. But dont buy it new you will loose way to much money on that deal buy a 2 or 4 year old. Cabin filter replacement can cost you as much as 120.00 due to the stupidity of Ford where they placed it extraordinarily poor designe All in all not one of Fords better ideas, But they think its cheep so lets sell it to the Unsuspecting public. I would not recommend this Car to anyone who has a Partner and rides in the car. A/C is so so at best Radio another not so bright idea, Mirror lights, wait till you have to change a bulb. What a Stupid design this is. My view of Ford after owning this Car is extraordinary poor

• 

  How many times can a new Fiesta go to the shop? - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By Stephanie - April 30 - 5:42 pm

  This is easily the worst car I have ever purchased in terms of repairs. I bought it new, and within these 4 years of ownership, I have had it into the dealerships service center dozens of times. Major transmission problems. Electrical issues. Now the AC is broken. The car has 37,000 miles on it as of today, and has caused me NOTHING BUT HEADACHE. I bought the ridiculous extended warranty that covered everything (hah!), but not really. They still charge me for all kinds of things that should NEVER FAIL on a new car. Ford doesnt care that theyve sold me a piece of crap. My husbands Honda CRV has 220,000 miles on it and goes in once a year for an oil change! NEVER ever buying Ford again. Biggest mistake ever.

• 

  Think twice - 2014 Ford Fiesta
  By Linda K. - May 6 - 1:11 pm

  The transmission has been giving me trouble since I purchased it 7 months ago. Ive had it in the shop several times and Im going to take it back again this week. The dealership said if I drive it 5,000 miles the trams issuing would get to know my driving. Its been over that and still hesitates or slips when I pull out. He said they had about 60 with the same problem. Then why sell it? Ford Focus hatchback 2014.