2007 Ford Fiesta Reviews

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the first and second generation Ford Fiesta between 2004 and 2015 as a used buy.

Styling of the latest couple of generations of Ford Fiestas is bold and their stunning, almost futuristic, looks appeal to many, particularly those moving down from larger cars.The Ford Fiesta is sold as a three-door or five-door hatchback. The three-door has a sporty appearance, but the five-door certainly isn’t on the staid side. Getting into the back seat of the three-door Fiesta isn’t too difficult for the kids, but large adults will find it a hassle.Once in the back seat, occupants will find it reasonably spacious. The front seats are larger than average for a car in this class and are reasonably comfortable, though some may find them on the firm side in the German manner.Ford Australia is keen to please drivers looking for more than mere transport so imports its small cars from Europe. This makes them slightly more expensive than products from Holden, which are often made in South Korean factories, but Ford Oz has managed to keep prices down.The Fiesta comes in plenty of different variants. Most use a 1.4- or 1.6-litre petrol engine and offer a couple of drivetrain options. The WZ series Fiesta, introduced in August 2013, has an interesting pair of turbocharged power units, in particular a willing little three-cylinder 1.0-litre with plenty of spark in its response. Even better is the 1.6 turbo-petrol in the Fiesta ST, it has strong torque over a wide spread of revs and can be regarded as a low cost alternative to full-on hot hatches.The Ford Fiesta XR4, introduced in June 2007, is a genuine hot hatch, not just a dressed up standard model.  Inside, there are sporting seats with leather bolsters. Fiesta XR4 has lowered suspension and rides on Pirelli P-Zero tyres. Ride comfort is surprisingly good for the hot-hatch class.The XR4's big Duratec 2.0-litre engine gives plenty of performance in a light car such as this. Some will be disappointed that only a five-speed gearbox is used. However, it has nicely chosen ratios and the change action is slick and positive.A fascinating new model was launched in November 2009. The Ford Fiesta Econetic is a super-economy model that's powered by a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine tuned specifically for low consumption. It has good torque, uses higher than normal gearing and runs on special low-rolling resistance tyres. The result is fuel consumption below four litres per hundred kilometres during easy motorway running and only five to seven litres per hundred kilometres in day-to-day suburban driving.A good home mechanic can do a fair bit of their own work on a Fiesta, but the underbonnet area is cramped. Leave the safety items to the experts. There are plenty of Ford dealers Australia wide. While uncommon parts for Fiestas may not be held in all country dealerships it usually only takes a couple of business days to have parts freighted out there. We seldom hear any real complaints about prices of parts or servicing. Plenty of mechanics running their own independent businesses will have had formal training while employed by Ford dealers in the past.Insurance premiums for the standard Ford Fiesta models are about average for its class. Some companies may charge more for the XR4 hot-hatch and the hot-ish Fiesta ST, though not outrageously so.WHAT TO LOOK FOREuropean cars aren't built to the high standards of Japanese ones, so be sure to arrange for a full professional inspection. Carefully check the interior for signs of damage due to poor assembly, also for damage done by rough or bored kids.Listen for squeaks or rattles when driving on rough roads, not necessarily outback tracks, just suburban surfaces that have seen better days. The Fiesta engine should start easily and idle smoothly virtually from the moment it kicks over. Listen and feel for a manual gearbox that hesitates or crunches during fast changes.Try the steering on full lock at low speeds both all the way to the right and the left. Listen for the clicking sounds that indicate worn universal joints. A Fiesta XR4 that has been driven hard can often be identified by uneven tyre wear. Also look for lowered suspension, big-diameter wheels and additional instruments.Rust isn't going to be a problem unless a car has been poorly repaired after a crash. Look for paint finish that doesn’t match from panel to panel and for overspray on non-painted areas.CAR BUYING TIPA simple way to check for rust repairs is to hold a magnet against a suspect area. It will stick to metal under the paint, but not to plastic fillers.

Cars in the light car segment are usually known for their small size, small engine and small price tag, resulting in some average driving, but adequate getting around.But Ford has added a teacher's pet to the segment, one that is certainly worthy of a few gold stars.It's still small in size, but the engine and price tag get slightly bigger.The XR4 breaks the $20,000 price bracket, which seems expensive for a light car, but it doesn't take long for the all-round performance to quickly prove its worth.At $24,990, the XR4 comes in less than its other athletic competitors such as the Volkswagen Polo GTI at $26,990 and the Mitsubishi Ralliart Colt for $29,990. And while others such as the Suzuki Swift may come a little cheaper, they don't have that edge to performance found in the XR4.The stand-out Fiesta has ditched the regular 1.6-litre engine, and instead adopts a modified version of the 2.0-litre Duratec 16-valve engine found in the Focus. The free-revving four-cylinder powertrain delivers 110kW at 6000rpm and 190Nm at 4500rpm, with 80 per cent of torque available from as low as 1800rpm.It feels very quick and snappy in city traffic, with great pulling power for such a small car.The acceleration isn't outstanding, but it's very confident. Around town cruising revs at 2000rpm; hit the highway in fifth at around 100km/h and it sits on 3000rpm.Its straight-line performance is good but not quite superb, as the XR4 is more of an all-rounder, a jack-of-all-trades but not a real master of any.It doesn't take long for the XR4 to come up to speed when under-revving in higher gears and around corners the feisty Fiesta bites back, showing even third gear is up to the task.The new XR family member is lively in all conditions, thanks to some changes to the suspension, including the stiffening of the front and rear springs, recalibrating the dampers and lowering the suspension.Steering is also more agile and the five-speed manual transmission has been revamped to allow quicker shifting. The brakes haven't gone untouched, with an upgrade to the front ventilated discs with larger calipers and pads, as well as rear disc brakes for the first time in the Fiesta range.So, while it seems to fit the description of a sporty car, it's really only let down slightly by the sound of the engine, as the road noise from the low-profile tyres often overpowers it.The tightened suspension means you feel the many potholes around town, but it also makes it much firmer and sturdy on the road.The enhanced performance comes at a sacrifice as fuel consumption is higher than your regular light cars, the Fiesta usually averaging 6.6litres per 100km. The XR4, however, has a claimed 7.4litres per 100km consumption, but on our test it didn't drop below 8.7litres per 100km.While it's light in nature, just 1090kg, contributing to the excellent driving dynamics and handling, the wide turning circle could have done with some tweaking. Tight shopping car parks usually required a shift into reverse before clearing the turn.And the pedals are positioned too far to the left, leaving no room to rest your foot next to the clutch, instead having to put it in front of the pedal.Inside, a thin dash and big windows, means there's plenty of room for front seat comfort. The rear seats get a little squishy, but two adults could still travel for a decent journey without feeling too cramped.Inside, you're welcomed by a two-toned interior design.The test car had bold blue coloured-cloth, combined with seats with leather inserts, which proved very comfy. The blue and black dash was topped off with silver trim as a reminder of that sporty theme.Storage space in the front is minimal, although the glovebox and the boot are reasonable.If you're not convinced the driving and handling is enough to justify the price rise, there are many features that might just change your mind.The XR4 gets a six-disc CD player, airconditioning, six airbags, Dynamic Stability Control and traction control, sports seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels, a leather gear-knob with alloy trim and sports pedals.But it lacks cruise control and the radio controls sit on a bulky lever behind the steering wheel like the rest of the Fiesta range, which is fiddly and not that easy to see.The hot-hatch wears some XR4 badges and a sports body styling kit, which includes a front bumper, side skirts, rear bumper and a large body coloured spoiler on the exterior. But for those wanting everyone to know their sporting tendencies, there's an extra option you can take that is sure to make you stand out.For an extra $300, you can get some bold racing stripes.At first it seems a little boy toyish, but the racing connection grows on you and it lets everyone know just how special the car is.With the XR4 label, the Fiesta earns its stripes as it is transformed into a sporty little machine, without burning a big hole in your pocket. Bottom lineWhile it may be a much smaller addition, the Ford Fiesta XR4 lives up to the family name. Snapshot Ford Fiesta XR4Price: $24,990Engine: 2.0L/4-cylinder, 110kW/190NmTransmission: 5-speed manualEconomy: 7.4L/100km   The rivals  VOLKSWAGEN POLO GTI Price: $26,990Engine: 1.8L/4cyl turbo, 110kW/220NmTransmission: 5-speed manualEconomy: 7.9L/100km   Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart  Price: $29,990Engine: 1.5L/4-cyl turbo, 113kW/210NmTransmission: 5-speed manualEconomy: 6.7L/100km    Suzuki Swift  Price: $23,990Engine: 1.6L/4-cyl, 92kW/148NmTransmission: 5-speed manualEconomy: 7.5L/100km 

From the moment you turn the key you know the XR4 has been penned with passion.It has a taut, chunky feel, a lively and tractable engine, intuitive steering and suspension tuning as close as you'll get to a go-kart without upsetting your lunch.At $24,990, the German-built two-door hatch is the new value benchmark for the sporty light-car class, lining up alongside the Polo GTi and Suzuki Swift Sport.And its non-turbo status opens it up to P-plate drivers.The XR4 is powered by a modified version of the 2.0-litre Zetec engine from the Focus.Output is 110kW at 6000rpm and 190Nm of torque from 1500rpm, an increase of 3kW and 5Nm.It's the power-to-weight ratio and the gearing that give the XR4 its magnetic performance.Breathe on the throttle in any gear and it's off, delivering strong and flexible punch in the useful low-to-medium rev range, accompanied by a healthy guttural engine note.Manual only, the five-speed, close-ratio gearbox is slick and precise.However, the ratios are chosen for sprinting, not cruising. With the engine pulling a busy 3000rpm at 100km/h in fifth gear, a relaxed tourer it is not.Fuel use is a claimed 7.4 litres/100km on the combined town-highway cycle, and the engine is tuned to run on 95 RON.The suspension has been lowered and stiffened and the brakes upgraded.The chassis is finely balanced, with near-neutral handling, flat cornering, exceptional grip and turn-in response, and a ride on the rigid side of firm, yet not bone jarring.Grip from the fat Pirelli P Zero Nero tyres is tenacious, even on gravel, at the expense of a wide turning circle.The steering is quick and pin-sharp.Traction control is standard and the stability control system is programmed for late intervention and can be switched off.A body kit adds deeper bumpers, integrated side skirts and a large roof spoiler.Visually the XR4 is either purposeful or loud, depending on whether it has the optional $300 racing stripes.Stretching from tip to toe, the fat stripes ensure an XR4 will never get lost in a car park or be mistaken for anything else on the road.The interior is dressed up with snug sports seats, a grippy sports steering wheel, extra engine gauges and alloy pedals spaced just wide enough for big feet.With or without stripes, the XR4 is guaranteed to add spice to your life. SnapshotMake: FordModel: Fiesta XR4Equipment: Six airbags, airconditioning, six-disc CD audio, anti-skid brakes, 11-spoke 17 inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, electric windows, heated mirrors and steering wheel audio controls. Cost: $24,990