The wrap-up
Perhaps most appealing of all is the price. Starting at $15,750 for the CL model, $18,490 for the LX and rising to $20,250 for the Zetec (plus dealer delivery and statutory charges), the Fiesta is exceptional buying for those who value the experience at the wheel .
There are cheaper small cars, but none approaching the Fiesta’s dynamic capabilities nor levels of refinement.
Fuel economy of 6.1 l/100km for the 1.6 litre with manual, and 6.9 l/100km for the auto, will add to the enjoyment.
It is simply so damned hard to find fault. Stylish, full of beans, full of personality, inexpensive but superbly executed: does a small light car come any better?
Not at the Fiesta’s price, and not in this reviewer’s experience – it’s a pearler.
This car, Ford’s new Fiesta, can’t help but win friends and can’t help but succeed. That’s why it is winning increased sales – up 11.4 percent in January - in a European market that was down 26 percent.
So, if you’ve spent the last weekend or two drawing up a ‘whadda-we-gunna-buy-next’ short list of possible small car purchases, don’t go out the door till you’ve added the Fiesta to the top of the list.
THE INSIDER’S BIG STATEMENT
Funky as all get-out, Ford’s new Fiesta talks to the driver like few small cars can. For Ford globally, it is carrying a huge load on those willing little wheels. In Europe, the success of the Fiesta, and the excellent Focus and Mondeo, are three reasons why Ford is – for the moment - managing to keep the wolves from knocking the door down and chewing the company’s arse to bits.
Despite the terrible state of the market, something is happening within Ford that may be its salvation. Perhaps it has put people who understand the essence of the car, and engineers who understand the joy of driving, back in charge of producing them.
The Insider likes:
- Funky, well-thought out interior
- Class-leading on-road refinement
- Well-balanced chassis dynamics
- Zingy, free-spinning 1.6 litre donk
- Great driving fun
- Standout best-drive in the sector
The Insider doesn’t like:
- Finding reverse (was elusive once or twice)
- Could do with taller fourth and fifth gear ratios
- (It’s too damned hard to find fault with it)
Gallery
GALLERY » 2009 Ford Fiesta Zetec
Specifications
| Engine | Duratec 1.6 litre Ti-VCT DOHC 16-valve |
| Fuel System | Electronic Multipoint fuel injection |
| Power | 88kW @ 6000rpm (1.4 litre: 71kW @ 5750rpm) |
| Torque | 152Nm @ 4050rpm (1.4 litre: 125 @ 4200rpm) |
| Economy | 6.1 l/100km (manual), 6.9 l/100km (automatic) |
| Performance | 0-100km/h (un-timed) |
| Transmission | Five speed manual (or four-speed automatic with 1.4 litre) |
| Suspension | Front: McPherson Strut, twin-tube shockers Rear: Torsion bar, coil springs with mono-tube shockers |
| Brakes | Front: ventilated discs rear: drums |
| Safety | • Front driver and passenger airbags • (Zetec) Front seat head and thorax airbags and driver’s knee airbag • ABS with EBD and Emergency Brake Assist • Dynamic stability control, traction control |
| Wheels and tyres | (Zetec) 16-inch alloys with 195/45 R16 |
| Kerb weight | 1016 kilograms |
| Prices | $15,750: 1.6 CL manual three-door (tested here) $16,490: 1.6 CL manual five-door $17,250: 1.4 CL auto three-door $17,990: 1.4 CL auto five-door $18,490: LX 1.6 manual five-door $19,990: LX 1.4 auto five-door $ 20,250: Zetec 1.6 manual three-door $20,990: Zetec 1.6 manual five-door $22,490: Zetec 1.4 auto five-door. |
2010 HSV Clubsport R8 
2009 BMW 335i Sedan 
2010 BMW 120d Hatch manual (E87) 
2009 Holden Commodore SS Sportwagon 
2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage 
2009 Ford Mondeo MB (Titanium)
Comments
Click here to jump to Add Comment box
How do you get a picture next to your name?
Get a Gravatar. Click here to find out more.
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.