Ford Fiesta 1.6i Sport 120 CV, road test (part III)

As we have already seen in the previous parts, the engine performs exceptionally well, the exterior design is quite modern and the interior, although eye-catching and with a chrome finish, looks too much like plastic.

When buying a car from this range, we do not expect it to be the family car (that is what saloons are for), nor to travel long distances in it, nor, of course, to expect great things from its finish. That said, although the material is clearly plastic, the finish and final touches are on a par with a brand like Ford. And safety? Can something so small withstand impacts and serious accidents? Let’s find out.

Safety equipment

As standard, and in a car this small, it is surprising, though less and less so, that it includes 7 airbags (including a knee airbag), three rear seat belts for adults, although only two head restraints (the third costs 40 euros), ISOFIX anchorage points for child seats in the rear seats, ABS with EBD (electronic brake force distribution) and emergency brake assist. The electronic stability control is offered as an option for 450 euros.

When we discussed the exterior bodywork, we mentioned the 5 stars for adults in the EuroNCAP tests, 4 for children and 3 for pedestrians, a very good rating for a city car.

As standard it is not poorly equipped; it can be said that it is more than decent for a car in this range, although when it comes to optional extras, there is not much to choose from either. Xenon headlights are not available, not even as an option, and front and rear parking sensors cost 500 and 350 euros respectively. These are not essential extras, so they would only raise the price of the car, as would other features that come as standard on other cars, such as cruise control, which costs 150 euros.

The centre console has a very youthful, distinctive and even comfortable look, especially when handling the radio and phone controls. At first it takes some getting used to, but once you are accustomed to it, it becomes very convenient. Although it includes a USB port and voice and Bluetooth controls, it is offered as an option for 325 euros, but the CD changer is not available. Personally, I do recommend it, as you will enjoy music without limits and answer the phone without any risk.

As for comfort, if you want a leather upholstery with heated seats, you will have to pay 1,100 euros. Compared with other cars this is not much, but a Ford Fiesta with leather seats… what can I say? Other more affordable options, though not ones I would particularly recommend, include the visibility pack (light sensor, electrochromic mirror and rain sensor) for 215 euros. For the air conditioner you will pay 325 euros.

If you like the car from the outside as you see it in the photos, you will need to add the Sport pack, which includes a sporty front grille, a rear bumper with diffuser and a sporty rear spoiler for 750 euros. If you also feel the 15-inch wheels are a bit small, 16-inch alloy wheels cost 130 euros and 17-inch wheels cost 520 euros.

This version is the top of the range, the 1.6 Sport three-door with a base price of 15,640 euros without extras, fully equipped as standard. But if you like the car and cannot spend that much, the entry-level models start at 12,950 euros for the three-door version and 13,450 euros for the five-door. Both prices are for the Trend trim with the smallest petrol engine, a 1.25-litre engine producing 82 CV.

All gearboxes are 5-speed and you can choose from 3 petrol engines (1.25 with 82 CV, 1.4 with 96 CV and 1.6 with 120 CV) and 3 diesel engines (1.4 TDCi with 68 CV, 1.6 TDCi with 90 CV and 1.6 TDCi with 90 CV and DPF particulate filter). As for the available trims, there are four to choose from:

• ECOnetic, for those who care about the environment, available only with the 1.6 TDCi 90 CV engine with DPF, from 15,100 euros.
• Trend, available with 4 engines, the most basic ones, two diesel and two petrol, from 12,950 euros for the petrol and 13,710 for the diesel.
• Titanium, for those seeking interior luxury. Available with 3 engines: 1.4 with 96 CV from 15,105 euros; 1.6 TDCi with 90 CV from 16,050 euros and 1.6 with 120 CV from 15,640 euros.
• Sport, the most sporty in the range. Available for the 90 CV diesel without DPF from 16,050 euros and the 1.6 with 120 CV from 15,640 euros.

Overall assessment

The new Fiesta is very eye-catching and modern in its styling, which breaks with all previous models with a different design, and is above all youthful, which people like, and it is achieving very good sales results. Inside, the quality of the materials is what it is: plastic that you can tell is plastic, but at first glance it has a very well-executed finish that is elegant and futuristic at the same time. Wear and tear will, I think, be the main enemy of these materials.

As for engine performance, there is nothing to object to. It is a powerful engine that responds when you press the accelerator, though it is not turbocharged like the MiTo, which has the same power from a smaller displacement. Compared with the Megane it is a different world, considerably better, although thirstier. I do not think it is right that a car nowadays still includes drum brakes, even if only on the rear axle. At least the safety equipment is comprehensive, apart from stability control, and it is an acceptable and reasonable price to include in the order.

Photos | Javi Vicente