Ford Fiesta review

The Ford Fiesta has a well-deserved reputation for being the small car that will put the biggest smile on your face when you drive it. But there are plenty more reasons why the Fiesta has been top of the sales charts for more than a decade.

It certainly helps that there's a Ford Fiesta to suit most tastes. You can have a (relatively) cheap one that looks like butter wouldn’t melt, a sportier-looking ST-Line model that mimics the near-200bhp Fiesta ST hot hatch, or opt for a touch of luxury with the chrome-adorned Vignale. Ford has even considered the booming popularity of small SUVs by offering an Active model, complete with tough-looking black wheel arches, jacked-up suspension and roof rails – although if you want a small SUV we reckon you'd be better off looking at the brilliant Ford Puma.

There are lots of engines to choose from, too, including several mild-hybrid petrols that offer punchy acceleration and excellent fuel economy. Indeed, just about the only thing you can't have is a pure electric Fiesta; if it's a Fiesta-sized electric car you're after then we'd point you towards the Peugeot e-208 or Renault Zoe.

The latest Ford Fiesta has some extremely strong competition, with like-for-like rivals including the Seat Ibiza, Peugeot 208 and Volkswagen Polo. Those looking for extra space in a compact package might also consider the Honda Jazz, while the Dacia Sandero massively undercuts all other small cars on price. 

So, does the Fiesta have the talents to compete? And which engines and trims make the most sense? We’ll tell you all you need to know over the next few pages. And when you decide on the perfect car for you, click through to our New Car Buying service for a great hassle-free discount. You'll find big savings on the Ford Fiesta and most of its rivals.