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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  Nice but not quite there yet. (dual clutch auto) sedan - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By Anonymous - December 15 - 2:11 pm

  The car is very quiet,even on the highway. The engine could use more power/pep. The car inside and out is very stylish. The fit and finish could use some fine tuning. Also, visor extenders when using visors on the side would be a nice touch. Better/nicer quality weather stripping all over esp on the doors wold be nice...Also a heaver black molding instead of soft rubber where the hood meets the windshield would be nice, these items feel like they will not hold up well with the items used.

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  good but poor auto transmission - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By pelach - December 13 - 3:08 pm

  The build quality seems to be quite good. I like the car except for the automatic transmission... it sometimes does not shift logically and lacks power from a stop after it gets going it seems to have adequate power. The stereo is quite good and the cabin is very quiet, although i notice others are complaining of noises that develop with more use. Mileage is not as good as hoped for but I do live up in the hills. Im satisfied except for the automatic transmission goofiness.

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  Transmission Problems! - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By Not a Fiesta! - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought my fiesta at the end of July. I have just over 2,000 miles on my fiesta and it is in the shop as we speak getting a new transmission! I am very disappointed in the car it has never shifted (automatic) the way you would expect. Failed attempts to reprogram/repair the transmission have left me car-less as I get a new transmission. I spoke to a representative from corporate ford and asked if these transmission problems were common among the new design. He asked me how much I liked the SYNC system, ignored my question and the fact my brand-new car is not worth the money or headache.

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  Dual Clutch Auto Transmission Failure!! - 2011 Ford Fiesta
  By talismanPHL - September 27 - 2:00 am

  The PowerShift dual-clutch automatic transmission failed at 530 miles. The selling dealership (Camelback Ford in Phoenix) has no idea how to fix it - took it to another Ford dealer who said "the technicians havent been trained on how to troubleshoot the problem, so Ford has authorized a new transmission installation. I do not want this car if the transmission failed at 530 miles - we drive long distances to Salt Lake City two or three times a month. Want my 2007 Nissan Sentra back - had no problems with that car outside of maintenance! Never buy from Camelback Ford - theyre unhelpful and dont care about after-sale service. Sales Mgr tried to rip us off with added extras we didnt want!

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  Do NOT buy - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By dtapia - September 26 - 8:23 pm

  Bought the 2013 Fiesta Sedan in 2015. I have had the car a year and a half and I have been and out of the shop 6 times. Everyone knows me there now. I have the exact same issue everyone else is having. I have had 2 clutch replacements and several TCM replacements. This car is just a joke and not safe. The shuddering is just horrible. I tried to return the car 3 days after I got it and they kept it longer than I have even had it. Save the headache and dont buy this car.

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  STAY AWAY FROM THIS CAR! WALK AWAY! - 2013 Ford Fiesta
  By Rebekah - June 28 - 9:38 am

  DO NOT BUY THIS CAR! Ugh. My husband and I were basically bullied into buying this car. The sales guy kept telling us that they had all these fiestas that needed to go, this should have been the first sign to walk away. But no. We bought the car 6 months ago and I absolutely HATE IT. My husband doesnt mind it but thats because he doesnt drive it. The ONLY nice thing about this car is the fuel economy. Right now Im averaging about 37-38 mpg. However, since DAY ONE the car has been doing this weird jitter/shake any time I try and accelerate out of a light. It really struggles to get out of 1st gear. After having the car for a week I took it back to the dealership to get it looked at for this reason. The mechanic gave it back to me and said everything was fine. I know nothing about cars so I shrugged my shoulders and left. I was back within a week to have it looked at AGAIN for the same issue. This time the mechanic told me that there were THIRTEEN (13) OPEN RECALLS with the vehicle. Like WTF??? So I left it with them for a day, came back and they told me the same thing. Everything was fine. Nope. 5 months later my car STILL shakes. And to make things worse, my car battery died TWICE this morning. The dealership told us that we had a brand new battery in the car when we bought it, so whyyyyy did it die on me...TWICE??? And to add to it, my car is now telling me that it has a TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. My car is not safe AT ALL to drive but I dont have a choice. I still have to get to school and work and how am I going to do that without a car?? So frustrated. I want my money back.