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

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 Ford Fiesta ST hot hatch, or opt for a touch of luxury with a Vignale version of each. 

So, does the Ford Fiesta have the talents to compete with the best small cars? And which engines and trims make the most sense? We’ll tell you all you need to know over the next few pages. If you're looking a vehicle for work, we also have a full Ford Fiesta Van review.

When you've decided on the perfect car for you, make sure you find it for the best price by using our free What Car? New Car Deals service. It can help you get hassle-free discounts and has plenty of new small car deals.

The Ford Fiesta's entry-level 1.1-litre petrol (called the 1.1 Ti-VCT 75) has just 74bhp and feels rather gutless on faster roads. We’d avoid it and go for the pokier 1.0 turbocharged Ecoboost engines. They come in a variety of power outputs, starting with the Ecoboost 100, which is our favourite engine in the range. It pulls well from low revs and delivers good performance (0-62mph takes 10.8sec). 

The fastest version by far is the Ford Fiesta ST hot hatch, which we've reviewed separately. That gets a unique 1.5-litre Ecoboost engine, which you’ll appreciate if you like a car with plenty of spice.

One of the most appealing things about the Fiesta is how it combines small-car fun with big-car sophistication, and that’s true of the way it rides. As long as you avoid bigger 18in alloy wheels, the car deals brilliantly with the sort of sharp-edged bumps and potholes that are all too common on back roads.

Indeed, in Trend, Titanium and Active trim levels, the Fiesta is one of the more comfortable small cars available. If you want something that's even more supple, have a look at the Peugeot 208 or Volkswagen Polo.

The Fiesta's 1.0 Ecoboost engines are remarkably smooth and quiet. You hear less of a buzz during hard acceleration than you do in rivals with equivalent three-cylinder turbocharged engines, such as the Ibiza and Polo. All versions create some road noise, especially those on the bigger 18in alloy wheels, but it’s never loud enough to become irritating. There is a fair bit of wind noise at motorway speeds, especially with the panoramic glass roof fitted, and overall the Polo is a more peaceful cruiser.