The drive… a revelation
Because it shares more than its underpants with the pin-sharp Mazda2, the Fiesta is a willing, almost rorty performer when out on the tear.
The 1.6 litre Ti-VCT Duratec DOHC unit in the Zetec is a jewel. It is beautifully balanced, throttle response is instantaneous, and it zings like a Swiss-watch right to the redline.
It’s not powerful, no, you have to keep things on the boil to get the best out of it, but it’s got the heart of a Jack Russell terrier and simply begs to be worked.
The 1.6 litre donk, producing 88kW of power at 6000rpm, 152Nm of torque at 4050rpm and with five-speed manual attached, is standard across the range. There are no figures there to write home to Mum about, but they’re some of Mr Newton’s and Mr Watt’s finest brew – it feels more potent under the toe than the bald figures on paper would suggest.
(If you want an auto, it’s available as an option on all models except the three-door Zetec, but comes mated to a smaller 1.4 litre mill with 71kW at 5750rpm and 128Nm at 4200rpm.)
On the road, because it is so appealing at the wheel, we gave the little bugger heaps.
You can really get connected to a small car that has its chassis dynamics as well sorted as the new Fiesta. Because it’s light and responsive and predictable, you kind-of ‘wear’ a car like this – it seems to work as one with your reactions at the wheel.
It is not only the handling that impresses, but the ride also. The initial compliance, a little softer than some in the first part of the ‘travel’, takes the jarring out of the drive, but then firms progressively with good damping for fast cornering and for dealing with larger hollows and bumps.
Again, the ride too has a refinement that could quite easily sit on much more expensive wheels.
There is nothing particularly new or sophisticated with the suspension underpinnings. Aside from a thicker anti-roll bar, the Fiesta sports a run-of-the-mill McPherson strut front suspension with twin-tube shocks and torsion bar rear with monotube shocks. That it works so well is a testament to Ford’s engineers and chassis tuning.
On a tight road, you can slide the Fiesta around if you’re up to it (great for a lash on the dirt); keeping the power up is a simple matter of using that snappy gearbox and keeping the revs on song. And anyway, you’ll find yourself rappin’ through the cogs just for the heck of it.
On our (ahem) ‘private test track’, there is a looping curve that crests a long hill, with a negative camber and a sudden hollow waiting just over the brow. It can catch out even some of the more-fancied machinery we get to jump into here. We’ve had more than one sphincter-tightening moment finding that hollow while peddling a tad over-enthusiastically.
The Fiesta, flat chat in fourth, was barely unsettled. Even allowing that, with just 1.6 earnest litres on the job, the Fiesta wasn’t pulling the ‘gees’ of some we’ve flung over the top, it was one of those ‘shake the head’ moments. One where you find yourself muttering things about the brilliant chassis balance and control at the wheel.
So it’s great on the road: remarkably well planted and with fun written all over it.
Perhaps the only downside to the drive, one that those having to do longer trips may find fault with, is the shortish gearing. In fifth, I kept reaching for another gear. On a longer freeway drive, it can be a tad wearing.
While at 100km/h it’s spinning over at a reasonable 3000rpm (which isn’t high by most small car standards), there is ample torque to handle taller fourth and fifth ratios. Perhaps the gearing is ‘just right’ when fully loaded on a highway drive, but most driving isn’t fully loaded and this is a big country with big distances.
The other minor demerit was that, in the test car (flogged mercilessly no doubt by a posse of ham-fisted journos, most with evil in their hearts and unsympathetic to things mechanical), reverse was a tad disinclined to engage. Once or twice it required a bit of jiggling to slot it home.
Other than those two comments - one a preference, the other a niggle - the Fiesta came through with a pristine and very impressive report card.
2009 Holden Cruze CDX 
2010 FPV F6 E 
2010 HSV Clubsport R8
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Makes me want to go out there and buy one!
Now we have a good review for the Mazda 2 and a good review for the Fiesta. Which is TMR’s choice?
Instant reminder of Frank Costanza :]
However is car reminds me, in no way what is over, of Frank. It’s a cute little green thing. The interior is very…’asian eyes’ happy
Yo L and N,
Yup, Fiesta is the new leader in the class, edging out the excellent Mazda2.
N, may all your festivuses be happy and bright.
The Insider
This car just keeps on getting rave reviews!
European Fiesta sales are at a record high for the new model while the market(s) tank.
Certainly got me interested. Well done Ford!
Had the pleasure to test drive a 1600. I was very impressed. Will definitely buy one when I move to Australia!
I love japanese cars, but I got to give this to ford. Ford finally knows what customers want. The design is will designed, not like the past ford, boxy and ugly.
Thanks again for another great article. The Fiesta is a great little car and the pick of the bunch, however there is one thing that really irks me. Every single review I have seen of this great little car is of the zippy 1.6 manual. I have not seen a single aussie review about the 1.4 auto. Is Ford only giving the media manual press cars on purpose to try and hide the 1.4 auto, because to me it almost seems that way. It would be very interesting to know if the auto and smaller engine dilute the “Fiesta experience”, especially considering how popular autos are in Australia. Could it be a case of if you want a small car in a manual the Fiesta is the only way to go, however if you want an auto would you be better off going to your friendly Mazda dealer for a 2?
hmmm, i love this car, personally think that this is sexier than the mazda 2, looks much bigger on the outside too
Who can tell me about braking distance of this car?
Yo James, can’t say we ran a tape measure over the stopping distances, but the Fiesta’s brakes are fine. Disc brakes all round, ventilated discs up front, it’s also got all the smart braking acronyms - ABS, EBD and so forth.
RACV, NRMA or one of the other ‘royal’ auto clubs might have the information you’re looking for, as, likely, would Ford.
The thing, of course, is that braking distance is relative to a whole lot of factors, some not inherent to the car.
Things like the road surface, tyre wear, the condition of the shockers, the presence of moisture - all these things affect braking distance.
Most times, ‘braking distance comparisons’ are conducted in ideal-world conditions and are really only indicators of braking performance out there in the wild.
The Insider
Actually, it has drum brakes in the rear - we one a WS Zetec
Yup Wazza, yer right there… specs with the article are right, my comment isn’t (and it was only 7:00pm… must have made an early run on the cheap plonk).
But brakes are fine, we gave it an (ahem) dynamic run through the hills and weren’t troubled with fade.
The Insider
What do you think of your Fiesta Wazza? Be interested in your views (we reckon, for the money, the package is a ripper).
The Insider
Auto Zetec drives well even if a bit gutless on hills. Agonised over buying it as the 1.4 motor with a 4 speed could have been inadequate and probably would be for a mountain woman. For my purposes it buzzes around town like a cherry bloated mosquito on steriods, steers and holds the road like a dream with reasonable fuel economy. At speed nurses around 3000rpm. still in its comfort zone, no road noise, good positioning, luxury feel and view. It is true that the brakes seem a bit soft, drums I suppose, noticable due to downsizing cars as well. The heater is a furnace even set to one. Researched the life out of web on this car before forking out 25k and no regrets. The seating/driving position in alfa mito, peugoet and mazda2 does nothing for my long legs, but the adjustables on fiesta won me.If you want a bigger engine to thrash get the manual and don’t hold your breath waiting for the diesel…a bit noisy. Burned off a golf at the lights in my mozzie, should have seen the drivers face before he smacked into 2nd and I’ve long since seen 40. The bastards always get you on options but the larger wheels, safety pack and bluetooth are worth it. Go the Zetec..Small package, great car.
Fiesta footnote:
by the way, there’s been a few snitches that because the bonnet drops away, you can’t see the gutter etc when parking. True, but this thing is the size of a go cart. Er, sorry, supermini. So just be guided by the car parked next to you - when the driver is level with their BACK seat - hee hee. Even if you’re a metre out, the arse end is still going to be in the parking confines. It ain’t euclidian mathematics. Actually it’s one of those cars that HIDE short in the parking bay and is cursed by others who think they’ve found an empty park !!!!!! Oh yeah, this car is FUN.