WHEN WE PUT the Ford Fiesta Zetec two-door under the TMR microscope back in March, we found it an absolute delight to drive. “Approaching brilliant,” we said.

We also proffered the view that this car, the Fiesta, Ford’s steamrolling entry into the light car segment which is bolting out of showrooms in every market it’s in globally, is the best buy in the segment.

But perhaps we were a little overcome. Perhaps we were also a little soft – a bit smitten by its sharp new lines and the wave of superlatives (from Europe and the UK) that had preceded its release here.

So, jumping into the five-door Fiesta Zetec for a week was a great opportunity to confirm or deny our earlier position on the edgy Fiesta. Even better: snow on the hills meant we could give it a robust run to the snow (with the requisite clobber) as well as a week of commuting.

The question became then: would we still agree (with ourselves) or had our views hardened with the benefit of hindsight and a little distance?

Well… no. For a couple of reasons – like two extra doors, and no loss of style nor performance – the five-door Zetec is better, if anything, than the three-door.

So let’s recap on a few things.

Styling

Sharing the platform of the spunky Mazda2, there was no way the Fiesta was going to turn out an ugly-pants. With a crisp modern ‘face’, trapezoidal grille, a rakish bonnet, a high deeply accented belt-line culminating in a truncated, stylish tail: this is one appealing-looking little car.

And while we gave the three-door the thumbs up for style, the five-door, if anything, improves the Fiesta’s lines. It looks slightly better balanced, ‘just right’ as though the five-door is its natural state, and the three-door the afterthought.

‘Ours’, in deep blue, looked an absolute treat. Darker colours seem to sit well with the Fiesta, setting off the jeweled brightware and chrome highlights.

And while it looked good, it also functioned well, providing good access to front and rear, with quite surprising leg-room for back seat passengers.

Of course, the small boot compromises its usefulness as a family car (being a small hatch, there’s not much hanging behind the rear seats). But as a young person’s car, or a second car for a family, there is ample room for the shopping, shoe-boxes, snow boards, and a couple of the neighbours’ kids along for the ride.

While in our care, the Zetec copped more than a few complimentary comments for its styling.

The Interior

As for the interior, there is little to add to our earlier comments about the three-door Zetec. As we said then: “The new Fiesta’s interior works. The ‘transformer’ dash and console are just right. Smart, distinctive, as modern as next year, with good quality materials and everything right at hand.”

That impression remains. There is a very nice marriage of function and crisp styling in the Fiesta range. The trim, fit and ‘feel’ throughout is impressive and a distinct step up – to these eyes – from the Yaris, Getz and Barina.

It is also a place where you can get settled very comfortably behind the wheel, not something always achieved in a smaller car. The multi-function steering wheel (in the LX and Zetec versions) has a nice connected sporty feel to it – enhanced by the style of the instruments, dash and centre console.

We spent a good part of the trip to the snow three-up – the two passengers both being over six-foot. While not as roomy as the Hyundai i30 CW wagon that also accompanied the drive, each remarked on the surprising space. The Fiesta is kind-of ‘Tardis-like’ here.

The seats are comfortable, and while not class leading, are well-shaped for pressing on (although the back seat is pretty flat) and trimmed in an attractive hard-wearing fabric. You can also choose some really funky trim colour combinations if you want your Fiesta to look a little more ‘out-there’ than the average wheels.

So, for quirky style that works, we’d still call it as one of the best interiors of the segment.