The FIESTA From FORD




Consistently ahead of the sales charts, the Ford Fiesta is the car that the new Corsa has to beat, and beat well. And ironically, it's the Ford which should have given those men down at Vauxhall the most inspiration, because it's recent facelift proved that with minimal investment, a manufacturer could indeed make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

The sad thing about the new Fiesta though is that Ford did not give it a new set of clothes. With many supermini buyers looking primarily at the looks of a car, in favour of driving dynamics, the Fiesta is arguably a touch conservative in its exterior styling.

However, the cabin is a delight. Gone are the tacky controls, cheap-looking plastic and shoddy build quality of the old model, replaced by something much more up-market, the Fiesta is the classiest to sit in out of the group tested. With the entire console bulging gently towards the driver, everything is within easy reach. The controls could not be easier to use, and all dials are crystal clear.

One thing the designers could not do is make the car any bigger apparently, the Fiesta has never been one of the biggest cars in its class, but now it feels distinctly small when compared to its rivals.

Taller drivers will notice that the sunroof does eat into the available headroom of the car, and a couple of extra inches of leg room wouldn't go ammis. The steering wheel is fixed in place and the drivers seat only has tilt adjustment, but the driving position is basically fine

Its in the back where the Fiesta is eclipsed by its rivals, with legroom in particular at a premium. Likewise, the boot is not the biggest here by far. On the other hand practicality is rarely on top of the list for three-door supermini buyers and the Fiesta has enough plus points to compensate for the cramped cabin area.

Brilliance

Allthough this car has the smallest engine in the Fiesta range, the 1.25-litre engine is very powerful, more powerful than any of the other superminis tested here. But it is the brilliance of the chassis that shines through. Whatever you throw at the little Ford nothing will upset it. The Corsa may be inproved, but it still has a long way to catch up with the Fiesta.

Through bends the Fiesta feels alive, and you cant help but to take an instant liking to it. Visibility is good and, thanks to a combination of easy power steering, a smooth clutch and crisp throttle, you'll thread through high streats without breaking a sweat.

In short the Fiesta is one of the most classy cars here, inside and on the road. Once you've driven a Fiesta you'll need a prety convincing argument to drive any of the others.
On the road price:
�9,945
Engine:
4 cyl in-line
Capacity:
1,242cc
Transmission:
5-spd manual fwd
Dimensions (L:H:W):
3,828:1,320:1,793mm
Fuel tank capacity:
42 litres
Insurance group:
5
Basic Warranty:
1 year unlimited mileage
Service intervals:
10,000 miles
Recovery:
1 year RAC
Test Results:
0-60 (secs):
11.9
30-70 thru gears:
12.4
30-50 in third:
5.5
30-50 in fourth:
8.4
50-70 in fifth:
13.9
Top speed:
106mph
Braking 30-0mph:
10.7
What You Get For Your Money:
  1. Electric Windows: �430 option
  2. Central locking: �430 option
  3. Sunroof
  4. Driver's airbag
  5. Passenger airbag: �315 option
  6. ABS: �570 option
  7. Split rear seat
  8. Immobiliser
  9. RDS Radio Cassette
  10. Remote boot release: �430 option
  11. Rear wash/wipe
  12. Seatbelt pre-tensioners

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