2011 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.

Graham Smith reviews the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic as a used buy.

There's no argument that the car market has changed. The once dominant big cars are on the nose, replaced largely by other big cars in the form of SUVs, but at the same time small cars that were once shunned by all but the poverty-stricken are enjoying unprecedented popularity.This newfound popularity has meant that carmakers have put more effort into making them attractive to this new generation of buyers instead of stripping them of everything but the basics in the hope of making a buck as they once did.The result is cars like the Thailand-produced Ford Fiesta, an attractive, fun-filled little car that drives well, is economical, and has loads of neat features. Ford offered two body styles, a four-door sedan that gave you the security of a boot and a little more body stiffness to aid handling, and a five-door hatch that was more practical and versatile.There were also two engine options to choose from, a 1.6-litre petrol four and a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel. Both were quite economical, the turbo-diesel more so by quite a margin, and both performed quite nicely.The only criticism of the petrol engine was that it lacked a little performance at low revs, but it was still perfectly adequate for the job. At the same time the turbo-diesel was lauded for its sparkling performance, the downside was that it only came with a five-speed manual gearbox.For those wanting an auto there was no choice but to go for the petrol engine, and you could then opt for the new six-speed auto, which was in fact a dual-clutch DSG gearbox.All models boasted standard stability control, but the base CL only had two airbags unless it was equipped with the $600 option that upgraded it to the seven that all other models had.A downside that needed to be understood is that the Fiesta didn't come with a spare wheel, for that you had to pay extra. Instead it had an aerosol kit for use when you get a flat.Ford made choosing a Fiesta a challenge. The turbo-diesel was a winner, in both performance and economy, but it only came with a manual gearbox.If you wanted an auto transmission you had to forgo the economy of the diesel and buy a petrol engine, which wasn't as economical and lacked the diesel's performance.But given the auto is a DSG, which can prove troublesome, perhaps the best option is to avoid the complication of technology and opt for a simple manual gearbox.If you really want the auto test-drive it thoroughly to try and find any faults it might have. Don't just drive it around the block; take it for an extended run, driving it under varying conditions, high speed, low speed, walking speed, accelerating from a stop, overtaking etc.Check in the boot to see if your chosen car has the optional spare or not, and think about what you might do if it doesn't. If there is no spare check to see that the aerosol kit is there.Some owners say that their petrol models ping, which forces them to run them on 95-octane fuel instead of the cheaper 91. That, of course, increases the running costs significantly.Build quality is a complaint often heard from WT Fiesta owners, so take the time to inspect your chosen car closely.Inspect the body for bumps and scrapes, they always bring the value of a car down, and also check the service record to reassure yourself that the required servicing has been carried out.Questionable build quality detracts from an attractive package, but the diesel engine is worth the punt.

It's easy to get caught up in the hype with all the fancy cars that we get to drive. And it's just as easy to overlook a little nugget like the Ford's sporty but modestly priced Fiesta sedan. What it lacks in panache, it more than makes up for in terms of practicality.PRICE AND MODELSThe sedan comes in two model grades - base CL and better equipped LX. Priced from $18,990 the CL is available only as an auto, but for the same price you can have the LX with more goodies and a manual gearbox. The auto is a $2000 option with this model.The LX adds side and curtain airbags as well as a bag to protect the drivers' knees in the event of an accident. It also gets cruise control, leather wrapped steering wheel and power windows in the back.One of the highlights of the Fiesta range is the high level of technology offered, with Bluetooth, steering wheel audio controls and AUX input for music players standard.Bluetooth is also partnered with Voice Control, so you never need to touch your phone again once setup (mind you setup is not what you'd call intuitive). It's available with a petrol or turbodiesel engine, but the fuel-saving diesel will set you back another $2500.The 1.6-litre, four cylinder petrol engine, is however a light sipper at just 6.1 litres/100km and provides some of the liveliest performance in this segment.Our test vehicle was the five-speed manual - nothing special about that but it's a more satisfying drive than the optional, four speed auto. The 1.6-litre petrol engine produces 88kW of power and 151Nm of torque at 4300 revs.DRIVINGWe've driven this car with both the manual and new dual clutch automated transmissions. We much prefer the manual. The Powershift dual clutch transmission is good, but without the provision to change gears manually it lacks the fine control of the manual which we miss.Performance is strong and you can push the car hard with confidence, with standard stability control to catch it if things start to go wrong.Fuel economy was impressive for a petrol engine. We were averaging almost bang on the stickered figure at 6.2 litres/100km and, with a smallish 43-litre tank, this gives the sedan a range of almost 700km.The sedan boasts an impressive 430 litres of boot space.Although it's now built in Thailand, with which we have a free-trade agreement, one of the things Fiesta has got going for it is its European design. It shows in the way the sporty way the car drives and handles and Holden will find it difficulty matching this with its Korean produced models.Comes with a full five-star safety rating with a battery of safety features including electronic stability control. Having said that, there's plenty of cheap plastic in the cabin, but this goes for most cars in this price bracket.The sound system is a decent one but the removable cap on the 12 volt outlet in the centre console probably has a life expectancy of about five minutes before it is lost.Talking about caps, the cap-free fuel filler door deserves a mention. Just pop the flap and you're good to go.What a pity it doesn't come with a full-sized spare.FORD FIESTA SEDANPrice: from $18,990Warranty: 3 year/100,000kmEngine: 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder, 88kW/151NmTransmission: 6-speed Powershift autoThirst: 6.1L/100km, 146g/kmFuel: 43-litre tank, 91-98 RON

Down in "Tiddlerville" Ford has a cracker of a competitor with its recently revamped Fiesta. Now available in sedan and five-door hatch, Fiesta has also shifted up a gear in terms of drive-feel and appearance.It comes out of Thailand now, off the same line as the Mazda2 but don't hold that against it. This little puppy has plenty in its favour not the least being price and style.We got hold of the base CL sedan but that includes Ford's excellent six-speed Powershift dual-clutch "auto" as standard.It makes this light car a treat to drive, even if you miss out on power rear windows and a spare tyre.VALUEYou can't argue with $18,990 for the CL sedan - it has plenty of kit for the dosh, offering up Bluetooth (not in Mazda2) impressive audio, aircon, a decent trip computer, power front windows and exterior mirrors and that six-speed "manumatic" as standard _ a master stroke from Ford as Fiesta will be bought mostly by urban females who are generally not fussed shifting cogs by hand. They can now have their cake and eat it too because the Powershift transmission offers a sequential change mode as well as D. Capped price servicing is a big plus.TECHNOLOGYTargeting a young audience, Fiesta has plenty of connectivity to make them happy including voice control of some electronic functions. There are multiple plugs for iPods and MP3s and standard Bluetooth is a bonus this far down the food chain.The plucky 1.6-litre four cylinder engine offers plenty of pep thanks in part to variable valve timing which also aids fuel economy rated at 6.1-litres/100km. Maximum output is 88kW/151Nm. And it runs on anything from 91-98 octane fuel.DESIGNFiesta is an example of Ford's current "Kinetic Design"" styling theme  - inside and out. It's a cute little beast with a high bum and wedgey profile. The front has an assertive look to it but not too tough. The inside has some soft feel surfaces and an eye grabbing, V-shaped metallic centre applique that livens up the look no end.All controls are legible and easy to find and use.The interior has plenty of room for four, five at a pinch and the boot is huge for a car this size - 430 litres.SAFETYNothing less than five stars for the latest Fiesta thanks in part to seven air bags and stability control as well as the strong body/chassis.Even the base model we drove with the skinny tyres has inherent safety thanks to its sporty dynamics that would help avert a crash in the first place. It steers like a sports car.DRIVING We have been big turbodiesel fans for yonks but this car made us think again about petrol and it isn't even turbo charged.The CL sedan is a hoot to drive any way you like - cruisin', commuting, even having a bit of a crack on a winding road -Fiesta puts its best foot forward - within limits.You don't have to be going fast to have fun partly because of the sporty drive feel. It has reasonable seats and plenty of kit to keep you informed and entertained.VERDICTReally impressive. We'd have it on a short list in this segment especially considering the six-speed "auto" is standard. The temporary mobility kit is a problem as are the wind up rear windows but overall, the CL sedan is right up with best in class.