Ford Fiesta Zetec 2009 review

The baby Euro car sets a new style direction for compact blue-oval models as well as promising class-leading driving enjoyment.

It is also priced from $15,750 for a three-door hatch with fuel economy as good as 6.1 litres/100km with a 1.4-litre starter motor.

The Fiesta is a five-star NCAP success in Europe but, for now, ESP stability control is only an extra-cost option for Australia at a time when all five-star contenders for 2009 must have ESP. It is part of a $1000 'safety pack' on the basic CL and mid-range LX models, bringing front side airbags, a driver's knee airbag and stability and traction control, as well as Emergency Brake Assist.

Explore the 2009 Ford Fiesta range

• Ford Fiesta 2009 review
• Ford Fiesta Zetec 2009 review
• Ford Fiesta CL 2009 review: road test
• Ford Fiesta CL 2009 review

Ford Australia says it is giving Fiesta buyers the choice on safety and is hoping for a 15 per cent up-take on the safety pack.

The Fiesta - the sixth generation to wear the badge and available as either a three or five-door hatch with 1.4 and 1.6-litre engines - is currently built for Australia in Germany, but the supply line will be switched to Thailand after the first 12 months. That could bring a price advantage thanks to a Free Trade Agreement but there is no commitment to any future change.

It's the same with the Fiesta sedan, which is in the medium-term plan for Ford Australia but with no firm introduction date.

The sportier XR4 and Ghia models are also missing, leaving the Fiesta Zetec - which differs only in wheels and tyres from a mechanical perspective - as the sports flagship for now.

The new entry-level CL three-door kicks off the range at $15,750 and will be available with both three and five doors. The middle-level LX models start from $18,490 but only with five doors, upgrading from the CL's 15-inch steel to the same diameter in an alloy wheel.

The Zetec sports model is a three or five-door car from $20,250, but the three-door is manual only. It is mechanically identical but gets 16-inch alloy wheels and a sports body kit.

The drivetrains are a 88kW/152Nm 1.6-litre with five-speed manual or the optional $1500 automatic transmission - available from February - which is only mated to a 71kW/128Nm 1.4-litre engine and available on all but the three-door Zetec.

The 1.6/manual combination has claimed economy of 6.1 litres per 100km while the smaller, less-powerful engine with the automatic pushes the fuel use up to 6.9.

The Fiesta has a range of technology including voice-controlled Bluetooth (standard on LX and Zetec), a USB slot for an MP3 or the 3.5mm audio jack standard range-wide.

Also standard is the capless refuelling set-up first seen on the Mondeo and cruise control is standard on all but the CL.

Driving

The first local drive was done in the manual models as Ford has not landed any autos.

Ford talks a lot about the work done to keep the interior quiet and it has paid off, as the cabin is well-insulated from most noise and the 1.6-litre engine is quiet and smooth.

It is also a flexible powerplant, thanks to variable valve timing systems, pulling through the steeper sections of the Adelaide hills launch drive in a gear higher than expected for a sub-2-litre car.

The little German-built light car also has good road manners, with a well-executed compromise between ride and handling on offer.

The Fiesta is composed in corners and has body roll well under control, with a firm but decent level of ride compliance.

At above-average height I could find a decent driving position in the supportive and comfortable seats and had good forward visibility - rearward is less open given the C-pillar and high rear waistline.

The partial leather-wrapping of the steering wheel, a little too much power assistance, air-con that blew cool rather than cold air on a low-30s Adelaide day and the absence of an automatic transmission with the larger engine were the only complaints.