Ford Fiesta Reviews

Ford Fiesta and Hyundai Accent go head-to-head in this comparative review.

What's the point of paying thousands of dollars extra for a diesel engine in a baby car when the petrol-engine sister car is pretty frugal in the first place?Perhaps the buyer wants to enjoy the torque character of the diesel engine, take pride in the ultra-low fuel usage and CO2 exhaust emission and hope the resale value in a few years might also help make up the gap in the extra paid for the diesel car when new.In medium-size and large cars, especially heavier SUVs, a diesel engine can make sense in the money saved in fuel bills. But what about a baby car - such as the latest WT Ford Fiesta?PETROL VS DIESELThe entry-level for diesel is the Fiesta LX. The LX petrol costs $18,990. The diesel is $21,490. That is $2500 or 13 per cent more. The official fuel consumption figure for the petrol engine Fiesta is 6.1 litres/100km and for diesel 4.4 litres/100km.So, yes, the diesel buyer will get his money back. How long that will be depends on the price of each fuel and the distance driven. If petrol and diesel are each, say at least $1.40 a litre, the petrol Fiesta will use $85.40 worth in 1000km while the diesel will use $61.60 worth of fuel.That's  $23.80 cheaper in the diesel every 1000km, so to recover the extra $2500 paid when buying the car, it will take 105,000km. If diesel prices are cheaper than petrol (rarely), it could take less; but if diesel costs more a litre than petrol (likely) it will take longer.Taking the above example of 105,000km to get your money back, a baby car might average 12,000km a year so that's nearly nine years. To be fair, a diesel buyer could well be a higher-than-average distance driver so that amount of years will reduce.TECHNOLOGYIn almost every respect the Fiesta LX diesel is the same as the LX petrol. The difference in their 1.6-litre engines is 89kW power and 151Nm torque for the petrol while the diesel gives 66kW power and 200Nm torque. Diesel Fiesta has a taller final drive ratio (our diesel test car cruised at 2500rpm at 110km/h). Diesel Fiesta comes with only a manual gearbox. Petrol Fiesta can have that five-speed manual or an automatic.RESALEGlass's Guide research editor Richard Plumb says this will affect resale value. "The lack of automatic is a significant sales obstacle as consumers seeking economy are not always willing to sacrifice the convenience the automatic offers, especially in city driving which is where diesel offers the greatest benefit," he says.He says a large SUV with diesel will have a better resale than with petrol; but on a small vehicle the fuel savings are less and the diesel option is a greater percentage of the new price. Glass's Guide expects petrol and diesel Fiestas to have similar resale percentage - 58 per cent after three years and 40 per cent after five years for the petrol, while the diesel would be 60 per cent after three years and 41 per cent after five years.SERVICINGServicing costs of the Fiesta petrol and diesel can be expected to be about the same, each at 15,000km/12 month intervals, each A-service listed at 1.3 hours and consumables such as filters about the same price. The diesel of course does not need spark plugs.DRIVINGThe diesel Fiesta weighs just 30kg more than the petrol. We still enjoyed its handling: for a sub-4m hatchback on 185-size tyres, Fiesta doesn't mind a twisty hills road. Diesel Fiesta LX has no stop-start and, like the petrol version, no spare wheel but is hard to fault otherwise.Ford Fiesta LX hatch diesel (petrol)Price: from $21,490 ($18,990)Engine: Turbo 4-cyl sohc 1560cc (4-cyl, dohc 1596cc)Power: 66kW @ 4000rpm (89kW @ 6300rpm)Torque: 200Nm @ 1750rpm (151Nm @ 4300rpm)Fuel use: 4.4 L/100km (6.1 L/100km)CO2 emission: 117g/km (146g/km)Size: 3950mm (L), 1722mm (W), 1454mm (H), 2489mm (WB) (same for petrol)Weight: 1133kg (1138kg)Final drive: 3.37:1 (4.07:1)

A decade ago you wouldn't consider a motoring holiday in a light passenger car. Too small, too noisy, too bumpy and stripped of any comfort feature demanded by the long-distance motorist. The only time you'd crack a smile is when refuelling - if the range of the tiny petrol tank allowed you to get there. But I'd take any of these four hatches - Hyundai Accent, Mazda 2, Toyota Yaris or Ford Fiesta - out to Alice Springs, have a coffee at Gonzo's, and drive back. You wouldn't have done that in most of the lightweight hatches sold 10 years ago.What's changed? You. You are now demanding fuel efficient, safe and roomy baby cars that slot under a Corolla but just above the pared-back, minicar budget class.Manufacturers are falling over themselves in the challenge. They know you are downsizing but don't want to lose luxury and convenience features. They know you are focused on fuel economy and safety, like a space in a comfortable cabin and demand premium things like audios that integrate with handheld devices.There are more than four hatchbacks to choose from. In fact there are 26 distinct models in the light-car segment. But the four listed here are very, very good at their job. They will suit the commuter as much as the uni student, have sufficient zip for driver's with passion, the simplicity of driving to lure Mum and the cabin and boot room for junior and the pram.These four tested here are all the top-spec in their model range. They are all automatic, all have the maximum five-star crash ratings and five lap-sash seatbelts, and are similarly priced. They're just small - that's all.1. HYUNDAI ACCENT Premium ($22,990)Slips above the i20 and just below the i30 (which gets bigger next year with a new model) in size and price but loses nothing in terms of comfort, space and features. Possibly the best of the three sisters, it wears the latest Hyundai style yet is suitably restrained to broaden its market.ValueStar: 4: Wins the race here with heaps of features for the price in comparison to the others. Leather upholstery; compatible audio with Bluetooth, iPod and USB; full-size spare alloy wheel; keyless start; electric windows and mirrors; four-wheel disc brakes; and a lidded centre console are included.DesignAt 4.1m long it's not tiny but the snub nose, abrupt tail and height give it distinction. It all translates into excellent cabin room - a close second for rear legroom - and a big boot. How Hyundai fits a 195mm wide full-size spare under the boot floor and still manages to beat most rivals is simply clever.TechnologyIt's a simple car with the accent (that's a pun) on low running costs. So the 91kW/156Nm 1.6-litre engine is made for durability and the four-speed auto - with sequential shift - is built to be inexpensive and reliable. The electric steering can be vague and even uncertain so requires familiarisation.SafetyFive-star crash rating, six airbags, electronic stability and traction control, four-wheel disc brakes, rear park sensors and even a camera with its screen in the rear vision mirror. Complete.DrivingOnly the vague and twitchy electric steering dampens a confident, peppy and comfortable ride. The engine is flexible enough to cope with only four gears - though the sequential mode can add sparkle - and is relatively quiet, economical and even entices a level of fun to driving. Handling is typical of its class and will surprise with its surefootedness. Great visibility (rear camera helps here) and comfortable leather seats help survive the city.2. MAZDA2 Genki ($22,145)This model gets better each year and is now the most popular in its segment with a 13.6 per cent share. The Genki is the top-line of the Mazda2 range and continues to add more comfort and features to make many buyers think twice before going up a size to the Mazda3. This is a small car - at 3.9m long, the second smallest here - so is suggested for single drivers or perhaps couples.ValueOver the mid-level Mazda2 Maxx, Genki costs $2805 more and adds cruise control, body kit, bigger 16-inch alloys, trip computer, auto headlights and climate-control airconditioning. Worth it? Probably not, though if you're a leadfoot, the cruise control may save the difference in speeding fines within the first year.DesignCute. Everyone loves these but they are definitely styled to attract women. Get out of the car, Brian. Mazda cleverly doesn't overdo the family-themed styling so the baby car has subtle looks yet remains distinctly zoom-zoom. It's small size doesn't stop design flexibility - the vertical glovebox has an open top to store A4 documents which is handy if you have A4 documents, a bit daft if you do not. The rear seat is better for children than adults and though the boot is only 250-litres, split fold rear seats give some load-space flexibility.TechnologyAgain, this is a simple sector of the car market and Mazda complies with a 1.5-litre engine and four-speed automatic transmission. No surprises here. It has front disc brakes but the rear units are drum - see also Fiesta and Yaris - which is serviceable but old hat. Suspension is common to the four - MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion bar at the back - based on low price and compactness.SafetyAlso a five-star crash rated car. The Mazda2 equals most rivals with its six airbags, electronic stability and traction control, brake assist and brakeforce distribution. The space-saver spare wheel loses some points - compared with the Hyundai - so can limit its ability to take to the country.DrivingThis is the oldest model here yet still delights with its performance and particularly its agile handling. Like the others it has electric steering but seems more communicative than most. The drum rear brakes don't affect performance and, surprisingly, the engine copes very well with the miserable four cogs offered in its gearbox. It really is a joy to drive but can be noisy and if you have too much fun, fuel thirst will kill the smiles.3. TOYOTA YARIS YRX ($21,390)The second generation Yaris - following on from the Echo - improves by evolution to become bigger and stronger. It is making a step away from the "cutesy" end of the segment and looks bolder. In doing so, it will appeal equally to male and female buyers. But despite its new look, much of the car remains similar to before and may not appear to offer as much value as its most deadly rival, Hyundai.ValueThe price is good. This is the cheapest car here by up to $1600 and probably not what you'd expect from Toyota. It's pretty well specced with 15-inch alloys, auto headlights, touch-screen audio with sat-nav, Bluetooth and USB/iPod compatibility, climate airconditioning and trip computer. The YRX is $2000 more than the mid-spec but aside from the SUNA traffic system - not available in all states - I can't see the value in the extra loot.DesignAs mentioned, this model arrived a couple of months ago with a more masculine style and boasting more cabin room. The deep V-shaped grille and kerb-catcher bottom inlet are striking, as is the bulging rear wheel arches and pronounced tail lights. Inside it's a very good match of ergonomics and aesthetics. The double-layer boot looks cavernous but is only a snip above the Mazda2. But rear legroom is the best in this comparison so this car has more flexibility than most.TechnologyThe YRX gets the bigger 80kW 1.5-litre engine which has been around, in various guises, for a while. Most others get a 63kW 1.3-litre unit. No problem with the 1.5's power delivery and even the four-speed auto doesn't cripple its verve. The electric steering is pretty good but the drum rear brakes appear at odds with the rest of the car.SafetyAgain, a five-star crash rating with seven airbags (the seventh is for the driver's knees), electronic stability and traction control, brake assist and brakeforce distribution. The spare wheel is a space saver.DrivingThis is a tidy car. It sits nice and flat on the road and produces no squirms through the bends. The engine is sufficiently flexible to dust off the four gears and though it's no sports car, you can have a lot of fun here. The ride quality is also tops with comfortable seats and forgiving suspension, but it's not the quietest of the bunch and tyre noise can become annoying. Visibility is reasonable. It is difficult to get the complete rear view because of the rear-seat head restraints and to forward vision is thwarted by the steep rake of the bonnet. There is also no park sensors so parking can be guesswork.4. FORD FIESTA Zetec ($22,990)Ford have a little beauty on its hands with the Fiesta. It's so good that in many ways, trumps the bigger - and newer - Focus. It's made in Thailand (like the Mazda2) but quality rates highly. The Zetec is the most expensive of the range that also includes sedan versions and the frugal small-bore diesels.ValueThe price compares favourably with the others. Ford has a $2000 gap between the five-door hatch models - from the CL at $16,990 to LX at $18,990 and then the manual Zetec at $20,990 - and the latter justifies the extra with sports suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, sports seats and is the only one with USB and iPod integration in the audio. Yes, it's worth the extra.DesignLike the rivals, hard plastic dominates the dashboard and most remaining cabin spaces. But it's all been tastefully executed and though a bit busier than, say, the Hyundai or Mazda, delights in its playground appeal. The Focus-style audio buttons are a bit small for some fingers and there's no lid on the centre console (though the Fiesta isn't alone here) while the exterior is distinctive and fresh.TechnologyNothing to thrill here except the brilliant six-speed dual-clutch automatic. The six gears gives a wide spread in which the engine can work more efficiently while giving rapid upchanges. Very sporty. The 1.6-litre engine is a pleasant unit but nothing really to write home about, while the Fiesta follows suspension convention with MacPhersons at the front and a torsion beam behind.SafetyI repeat - five-star crash rating. There's also all the same electronic aids as the other competitors here and the only glaring difference is that the Fiesta doesn't come with a spare wheel. Nada. Zip. Nothing. Just a bottle of aerosol goo to reinflate the punctured tyre. A spare is optional and is a mandatory purchase.DrivingThe gearbox makes this car. It adds sparkle to the engine, creates smoother driving and ensures the engine is always in an efficient and torquey band of power through the corners. But there's actually a bit more. The seats are supportive and the small steering wheel falls nicely to hand, so there's the feeling that you're in a sports car and even though it's a city hatchback, it has a healthy 89kW/151Nm and records the lowest fuel consumption. Nothing much to dislike here though the boot is almost Mazda2 class in its size.

Ford Fiesta Zetec and Honda Jazz VTi-S go head-to-head in this comparative review.

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.

There's no doubt that today's buyers, particularly younger ones, don't feel the same need for size as their forebears who were sold on the concept that bigger was better. Today's buyers are more size-savvy and are happy to buy the car that fits their needs.In that context small cars, like Ford's Fiesta, have become important players in today's market. While they've resolved their size issues they still want their car to be sexy, and the Fiesta can claim to be that. With its slinky lines, pumped up guard flares and slimline headlamps it was as cute as a button.Inside, there was plenty of room for front seat passengers, but those in the rear found themselves a little snug thanks to the sweeping roofline that compromised their headroom. The interior was flashy and the design sometimes overrode function, although it was certainly appealing at first glance.MODEL WATCHFord's Fiesta range was made up of three and five-door hatch body styles, with entry level CL, mid-range LX and range-topping sportster Zetec, and 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre engines.The CL and Zetec were available in both body styles, but the mid-range XL was only available as a 5-door.The 1.4-litre Duratec unit developed 71kW at 5750rpm and 128Nm at 4200rpm, while the 1.6-litre engine boasted 88kW at 6000rpm and 152Nm at 4050rpm.Buyers also had the choice of transmissions with Ford offering a five-speed manual and a four-speed auto. Underneath the Fiesta had MacPherson Strut front suspension and torsion beam rear suspension.IN THE SHOPWhile we have had few complaints from Fiesta owners, those we have had have been rather damning.Engine pinging is a common complaint and is something to be mindful of when test driving a potential purchase. Running the car on the more expensive higher-octane fuel doesn't necessarily fix the problem, and it rather defeats one of the purposes of buying small in the first place.We have also had reports of cars that simply cutout for no apparent reason, and the fault hasn't been diagnosed.Build quality can also be variable, so cast a critical eye over any cars under consideration for purchase and don't accept anything that's not quite right.Check for a service record to make sure the required maintenance has been done.IN A CRASHThe CL and LX only came with dual airbags; to get more you had to buy a Zetec, which came with head and side airbags as well. Dynamically all models had ABS brakes and electronic brakeforce distribution, but again you had to buy a Zetec to get important features like emergency brake assistance, BAS, or dynamic stability control.To get those same features on the CL or LX you had to fork out an extra $1000 for the optional 'Safety Pack'. For anyone in the market for a used Fiesta should take note of that when out car shopping.UNDER THE PUMPFord claimed the Fiesta would average 6.1L/100km to 6.9L/100km, and would run on 91-octane unleaded.OWNERS SAYJeff Pegg has owned his WS 1.6-litre manual 3-door Fiesta CL a mere three months and already regrets it. Already $10,000 worth of parts has had to be replaced because of rust, which he believes should have been found if it was properly inspected prior to delivery.The engine also pinged terribly, even though the car was only run on 98 RON fuel, and while after three reflashes it is improved it still pings. The air-conditioning, in his view, is pitiful, and there is an annoying rattle in the dash that can't be traced. In both instances he has been told to "get used to" it.On the plus side Jeff says his Fiesta handles well, looks great, and is good to drive in the cooler months.Jeff reserves his harshest criticism for Ford's after-sales care, which he claims is "non-existent."AT A GLANCEPrice new: $16,450 to $22,990Engines: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol, 71 kW/125 Nm; 1.6-litre 4-  cylinder petrol, 88 kW/152 NmTransmissions: 5-speed manual, 4-speed auto, front-wheel driveEconomy: 6.9 L/100 km (1.4-litre auto), 6.1 L/100 km (1.6-litre man)Body: 3-door hatch, 5-door hatchVariants: CL, LX and ZetecSafety: 4-star ANCAP.VERDICTGood looking, great driving little car that makes you want to drive small.RATING3 stars

Getting into a small car has never been so difficult or as rewarding.  The good news is that the light and small car segment are now red hot with value - the bad news is that you have to choose which one suits you best.The task today just became harder as Ford unveils its nine-car Fiesta range that is jam-packed with models that are great drives, great value and pretty good to look at.There’s choices of diesel and petrol and sedans and hatchbacks. There’s a five-speed manual and a new six-speed dual-clutch automatic. The new auto replaces the previous four-speed unit that was only available with a 1.4-litre engine.  And just quietly, there’s room for an XR4 model in the future.Prices start from as low as $16,990 (CL petrol manual hatch) and climb through the list to the specialised - and very popular - ECOnetic diesel hatch that costs $24,990 and remains Australia’s most economical car.In between there is the mid-range LX in either automatic or manual and diesel or petrol from $18,990 to $21,490, and the sports-oriented Zetec that officially gets here in January and is very appealing at $20,990-$23,490.Ford says pricing is on par with the outgoing models yet extra kit is valued at $600-$1000, indicating just how competitive the baby-car market has become and how serious Ford is to climb back up the sales ladder.Standard equipment includes electronic stability control that’s linked with traction control and electronic brake assist.The base model CL has two airbags but the other models have seven. Ford says the optional safety pack that restores seven bags in the CL costs $600 and lifts its ANCAP crash rating to five stars from four.However, Ford has taken away the spare wheel. All Fiestas - now built in Thailand after the change from Germany - have an aerosol “mobility kit” in the boot’s vacant wheel well. A spare wheel is an option.“It’s one of the trade offs,’‘ says Ford Australia’s general marketing manager, David Katic.  “We’ve chosen deleting that ahead of adding features - such as ESC and Bluetooth, for example - which buyers want ahead of a spare wheel.’’In the move from Germany to Thailand, the small car has had a big increase in noise reduction - a factor of concern in the previous model.  It gets substantial underbody sound dampening that, combined with improvements to the suspension, give the Fiesta a level of ride and comfort above its class.The engine line up is an 88kW/151Nm 1.6-litre petrol and 66kW/200Nm 1.6-litre turbo-diesel rated at 6.1 litres/100km and 4.4 l/100km respectively.The six-speed dual-clutch automatic is only available in the petrol models. Ford says “we’re working on’’ an auto-diesel combo but there’s a lot of resistance from the drivetrain suppliers in Europe.  Ford won’t talk sales numbers with the new Fiesta. But is expects a healthy rise in interest.The sales split is expected to be 20 per cent sedan and 80 per cent hatch, with an overall 15 per cent swing to diesel.  “This is a car that will change people’s perceptions of Ford,’‘ says Katic.  “We are seen as a big-car company. This Fiesta will bring a lot of people into Ford showrooms.’’Ford won't talk sales numbers with the new Fiesta. But is expects a healthy rise in interest.  The sales split is expected to be 20 per cent sedan and 80 per cent hatch, with an overall 15 per cent swing to diesel."This is a car that will change people's perceptions of Ford," says Katic.  "We are seen as a big-car company. This Fiesta will bring a lot of people into Ford showrooms."Refinement is a word used to describe gentlemen’s etiquette, not usually light-car handling and ride comfort.  Yet the Ford Fiesta manages to add the word to its vocabulary.And it did it on a day that would possibly be the worst in Adelaide’s 2010 calendar. Tuesday.  Storms pummeled the hills of the city, the rain blinded the driver’s view and made the little Fiesta fight for traction. But what a little hero.  Over debris and flooding that coursed over the twisting hills roads, the latest Fiesta handled itself brilliantly and rose above the ranks of many of its rivals.But it isn’t all highlights for the Fiesta.  It makes a lot of difference which Fiesta model is chosen for the drive.There isn’t much between the sedan and the hatchback, perhaps the small extra weight making the sedan’s tail sit better and the superior rigidity of the three-box design helping handling.But there is a big gap in the diesel and petrol. Though smooth and quiet, the 1.6-litre petrol is gasping on the hills. It is very rewarding in the mid-range of the tachometer but feels weak below 2000rpm and breathless above 5000rpm.That is fine in the five-speed manual version, but even the lauded six-speed dual-clutch automatic has problems getting hold of the powerband and then placing it on the road.For general driving, the Fiesta petrol auto is fine. But push it a bit and it feels lacklustre.  The diesel, by comparison, is sparkling. Also 1.6 litres in capacity, it is down on power (66kW to 89kW) but stronger on torque with 200Nm against the petrol’s 151Nm. And it is delivered much lower in the rev range.That translated into a car with manual transmission being such a fun ride. The flexibility of the diesel engine means it can be left in second or third for the really tight stuff, then pulled up to fourth and fifth as the road straightens.The basic Feista that was first introduced in January 2009 remains. But in the move this month to the Thailand plant, changes were made to key areas of sound deadening.That, combined with the new diesel-dual clutch auto drivetrain option, creates a light car with small to mid-size ambitions and refinement.  It rides with surprising compliance. Noise levels from the suspension and tyres are low.  Even the electric-assist power steering is responsive and not overly vague.The CL and LX models get standard suspension and seats while the Zetec model - on test here but not in showrooms until early 2011 - has sports suspension (tighter springs, retuned steering rack and 195/50R16 tyres) and front seats with more side bolsters to enhance the ability of the Fiesta’s chassis.The Zetec does this without compromising the ride qualities and, as such, deserves attention by buyers who enjoy driving. In fact, the best model of the range is the diesel-manual Zetec ($23,490) or the LX sedan diesel-manual ($21,490). Such a shame the diesel can’t be mated to the dual-clutch auto.

The new Ford Fiesta will change the landscape of Australia's small car market.  The Blue Oval folks have been labouring under a yoke of constrained supply with the European-sourced hatchback range.But now they are bringing out a sedan version and expanding the diesel offerings by taking cars from the multi-million dollar AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT) factory in Rayong, Thailand. However the super-frugal Fiesta Econetic hatch will still come from Europe.Ford Australia marketing general manager David Katic says the Fiesta has doubled its share in Australia - as well as increased the proportion of high-end models sold - and he is aiming to make significant volume and share gains with the expanded range."We think if we can get more supply it can really lift our market share just by getting greater availability," he says.  "We sold 88 per cent of the old Fiesta in the base-model, in 2010 our Sports model has gone from 10 to 43 per cent, our Zetec model has blown away every expectation we have ever had for it," he says.The addition of the sedan (available only in CL and LX models) and more diesel models opens up additional volume opportunities for Ford in the light car market."The sedan we're really excited about, because we think it is a great looking car but also the sedan market represents about 15 per cent of the segment in Australia, there are only four or five competitors and we think we have a tremendous product proposition," he says.Pricing is yet to be released but Ford says it is aiming to remain competitive with its main opposition when it starts with the new Fiesta range toward the end of the year, acknowledging the cost base difference of the source country and the free trade agreement that applies to Australia-bound products from Thailand.Katic says the pricing has yet to finalised but the new Thai-sourced model would be well-specified.  "I don't think you'll see a price drop, I think you'll see us adding value - we haven't finalised our pricing yet but our shift and focus is on consumer value and more content, going to Thailand gives us an opportunity to do that, but we weren't taking a bath on Fiesta from Germany either," he says.The Zetec model, marketed as the sports star of the range until we see an ST, XR or RS edition, now has sports-tuned suspension and sports seating to distinguish it from the range.Bluetooth and voice control is now standard from the base CL model up, with stability control, seatbelt minders, a six-speaker CD sound system all standard.Those looking for an automatic will - on the petrol engine at least - be able to opt for a six-speed double-clutch automated manual that is similar to the Focus TDCi, although it has not been (for now) teamed with the new Fiesta diesel.Customers will be able to tick the option box for a 66kW/200Nm turbodiesel on the LX sedan and hatch, or from early next year the Zetec hatch, with a five-speed manual transmission and a claim of 4.4 litres per 100km.The petrol-engine on offer remains the 89kW/151Nm 1.6-litre petrol engine as standard across the updated petrol range, with the 1.4-litre being dropped from the Australian range.The Kinetic design language remains the dialect of choice with Ford and it is serving them well, so minor changes are all that has been made to the Thai-sourced vehicle from an aesthetics point of view.The sedan has followed the hatch, using similar lines to produce a planted stance, although from the rear in the metal the sedan looks a bit broad in the hips.The company is boasting of more engineering changes, including more insulation against noise, better torsional rigidity and body strength thanks to high-strength steel and bracing across the width of the front-end.The entry-level CL brings standard stability control but buyers will have to opt for the safety pack that adds extra airbags (standard fare above the CL) before it rates a five-star crash-test rating; for the LX and above that includes a driver's knee airbag as standard.There's no doubting the Ford engineering team has transplanted the excellent road manners from the German vehicle to its Thai-built counterpart.  The steering is light and direct, body control is good and the ride - which could only be tested to anything approaching Australian standards on some of the worst sections of road we could find - seems civilised.That said, the bulk of the bitumen is smooth and not coarse of grade, so claims by Ford to have remedied the criticisms of tyre noise (with a change of supplier to Continental) on Australian bitumen will have to wait until a local drive.The launch drive did have a couple of cars that didn't feel quite right and questions were being asked about the fitness of those vehicles, but the bulk of the cars sampled had good road manners and enough grunt for the segment.The mainstream diesel engine is the pick of the bunch, with a well-matched five-speed manual gearbox, which for many won't be worthwhile, as clutch pedals fast-become old-hat.We didn't test the crashworthiness of the new Thai-built Fiesta despite some of the better efforts of the locals, but the body feels tight and strong, with noise intrusion up there with the best in class.

Doing 100km of general running about for less than five bucks in fuel makes motoring pretty affordable. As manufacturers bring out more models with increasingly-amazing frugality, motorists are laughing all the way from the pumps. A generation ago, the 30 miles per gallon mark (9.4 litres/100km in metric speak) was a