2011 Ford Fiesta: A Subcompact with Style and Spunk

What’s New:

The European-designed Fiesta returns to the American market, after first making its debut in 1978 at the height of the oil crisis, when gas was at a premium. This time around the 2011 Fiesta returns as a sturdy, well-built, funky-looking subcompact sedan and hatchback, with an estimated 38 mpg on the highway, according to fueleconomy.gov.

Must Have Goodies:

For the U. S. market, the Fiesta is available in four trim packages: S, SE, SEL and SES. Unlike many subcompacts, this one offers a number of premium features usually reserved for more expensive vehicles: keyless entry and a push-button engine starter.

Additionally, the Fiesta features Ford’s exclusive capless fuel-filler door, leather seats, heated front seat cushions (not the back), heated exterior mirrors, integrated blind spot mirrors and a power-operated sunroof.

And, for the techies, the Fiesta offers MP3 capability, an audio input jack for the USB and a voice-activated SYNC system, helping to keep driver’s eyes on the road when making calls or sending (or receiving) text.

Furthermore, the Fiesta can be customized with a number of unique packages. There is an Interior Accessory Package or a Metallic Accessory Package that includes lighted (or metallic) front-door sill plates and a lighted (or metallic) automatic gear-shift. Oh and we can’t forget the Tattoo Graphic Package which is also available.

What Rocked:

The expressive design of our five-door hatchback SES rocked! Out of all of the competitors in this segment, this had to be one of the coolest looking vehicles to drive. Not only was the vehicle sexy on the outside, but on the inside, too, with its high-quality, ergonomically designed instrument panel.

And, we were extremely impressed of the comfort-level of the front seats, although it took a moment to get use to the manually operated side-lever utilized to adjust the driver’s seat.  

Furthermore, Ford officials tout that because of the Fiesta’s versatility and adaptability, adjustable cup holders can accommodate Red Bull cans and Big Gulps along with every container size in between.

And, we can forget the 80-watt premium-class six-speaker satellite audio system Ford managed to fold into this subcompact. This factory-equipped sound system is better than many of the one’s we’ve experienced in more expensive vehicles. 

What We Disliked:

While the horsepower out-best two of its competitors, the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, with its 120-horspower engine, it comes in just two-horsepower shy of matching than the class-leading Nissan Versa. While these vehicles push fuel-efficiency, as opposed to power, it would be great if they all added a little more oomph under the hood.

Unlike most vehicles we’ve reviewed in other segments, one must be careful before pulling out in front of fast-moving vehicles. And, while we realize this is a subcompact, it’s a tight-fit to get average size adults into the rear cabin.

Moreover, we struggled to achieve the estimated 28-mpg in city driving in Georgia’s extremely high, record-breaking temperatures this summer, with the a/c at full-blast. This was no match for the smooth-shifting, 4-cylinder, 120-horsepower Fiesta we reviewed..

(However, had our vehicle been outfitted with the Fiesta’s Super Fuel-Economy Package, which includes side-air deflectors, underbody shields, 15-in tires and a speed-control, we could have inked out more miles.)

Also, where is the center front-seat armrest to compliment all of the average (and oversized) cupholders in the Fiesta?

Any Juice:

There’s no turbo in the mix as of yet (we hope Ford adds one in the future or utilize their Eco boost technology). As of now, one will have to settle for the 1.6-liter DOHC I-4 engine, producing 120 horses. 

The Verdict:

For those in the market for a well-built, high-quality, economically-priced, cool-looking subcompact, the Fiesta would be high on our shopping list. Obviously the Fiesta name screams excitement, with its funky array of exterior colors. While Ford classified our Fiesta as being a bright magenta metallic, in our eyes the vehicle looked like it was a hot pink or some type of reddish color. As we noted earlier the vehicle can be outfitted with a number of package to express one’s individuality. 

Unlike some of the other American (and foreign) subcompacts we’ve reviewed in the past, this is one that truly stood-out for us, with its European-designed suspension system. Again, as we stated earlier, not only was the design eye-catching, but we were extremely impressed with the ride and handling, too. If Ford could only add a little more power underneath the hood, we would give this subcompact top rating. 

Pricing for the sparsely equipped base-Fiesta starts out at $13,995, but when fully-optioned the price zooms to $22,000. Now before one allows the vehicle to get up to $22,000, it’s time to remember that this is a subcompact. Aren’t subcompact supposed to mean economical?  Pricing for the upper-end Fiesta overlaps with Ford’s roomier, boxy-styled Focus, which is up for a major redesign soon, although the Focus doesn’t have the same tight-handling ability as the Fiesta. 

Competition: Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris