Ford Fiesta review

Category: Small car

Section: Introduction

Ford Fiesta 2023 front
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 front
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 rear driving
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 dashboard
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 rear seats
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 infotainment
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 rear driving
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 side
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 headlight
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 badge
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 boot
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 interior
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 front
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 rear driving
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 dashboard
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 rear seats
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 infotainment
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 rear driving
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 side
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 headlight
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 badge
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 boot
  • Ford Fiesta 2023 interior
What Car?’s Fiesta deals
New car deals
Save up to £1,570
Target Price from £18,206
Save up to £1,570
or from £221pm
Swipe to see used and leasing deals
Nearly new deals
From £17,850
Leasing deals
From £277pm

Introduction

What Car? says...

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. And that's not the only reason it's been such a big seller for so long.

It certainly helps that Ford makes versions of the 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 Ford Fiesta ST hot hatch, or opt for a touch of luxury with the Titanium X version. 

FAQs

  • Ford will be discontinuing the Fiesta in the summer of 2023. Sadly, there isn't much profit in small cars these days. That's why an increasing number of manufacturers are their dropping small hatchbacks and focusing on SUVs and electric cars, instead. 

  • The Fiesta is a very good car. Highlights are that it is superb to drive, has a great driving position and comes with plenty of standard kit. There’s also numerous trim levels to choose from. 

  • We reckon the Fiesta’s best engine option is the 1.0-litre Ecoboost 100. It has 99bhp, pulls from low revs and has plenty of pace while remaining economical. Our favourite trim is Titanium. 

  • We class the Fiesta as a small car and the larger Focus as a family car. While both can seat five and carry luggage, the Focus is both longer and wider than the Fiesta, meaning it is more spacious for passengers and has more boot space. 

  • Reliability isn't a strength of the Ford Fiesta. It was reported to be one of the least dependable small cars in the most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, and Ford as a brand didn't fare particularly well, either.

  • Both cars compete well with their direct rivals, although we don't consider either an outright class leader. The Focus is more practical, quieter and more comfortable – but then it's more expensive to buy, so that's hardly surprising.

At a glance
New car deals
Save up to £1,570
Target Price from £18,206
Save up to £1,570
or from £221pm
Swipe to see used and leasing deals
Nearly new deals
From £17,850
Leasing deals
From £277pm
RRP price range £19,350 - £27,380
Number of trims (see all)9
Number of engines (see all)4
Available fuel types (which is best for you?)petrol
MPG range across all versions 42.2 - 56.5
Available doors options 5
Warranty 3 years / 60000 miles
Company car tax at 20% (min/max) £1,069 / £1,814
Company car tax at 40% (min/max) £2,138 / £3,628
Available colours