Ford Fiesta review

If you're hoping the Ford Fiesta is a budget option, you’ll be mildly disappointed; compared with rivals such as the Skoda Fabia, it’s actually quite pricey. Discounts are reasonable, though (click here to see how much you could save), and the Fiesta is predicted to hold onto its value better than many of its cheaper rivals.

If you’re buying on PCP finance, as many small car buyers choose to do, the Fiesta will usually cost you more a month than rivals – namely the Volkswagen Polo and Fabia – on the same terms. On the plus side, the Fiesta is cheaper than many rivals to run as a company car, thanks to its low CO2 emissions, while monthly leasing rates are also temptingly cheap.

Entry-level Trend trim is certainly worth a look – it gets you alloy wheels, air conditioning, privacy glass, metallic paint, a chrome surround for the front grille, front foglights and an 8.0in touchscreen (discussed in the infotainment section). Titanium trim is also worth considering, adding cruise control, power-folding door mirrors, keyless start and automatic wipers.

However, given the Fiesta's fun-driving nature, we'd be tempted to go for sporty ST-Line Edition trim. This is similarly specified to Titanium trim but adds stiffer suspension – for even more agile cornering – and a bodykit with larger 17in alloy wheels for a more aggressive look.

The posher trims levels – particularly the Vignale – are too expensive to recommend, even though you get loads of creature comforts as standard. 

The Fiesta was rated 'average' for reliability in 2019 What Car? Reliability Survey. It proved more dependable than the Ibiza and Polo, but less so than the Skoda Fabia and Hyundai i20.

The Fiesta’s standard warranty lasts for three years or 60,000 miles; this is broadly in line with the class average, if some way short of the five-year, unlimited mileage cover offered on the i20 or the seven-year/100,000-mile cover on the Kia Rio.

You can add an extended warranty that’ll cover your car for an extra one or two years, but you’ll need to sign up for it before your new Fiesta is first registered.

All Fiestas come with seven airbags, lane-keeping assistance and Ford’s MyKey system – a programmable ignition key that can be used to limit the car’s top speed, mute the sound system and prevent the stability control system from being disabled. This should give you some peace of mind if you decide to hand the keys to somebody who has recently passed their driving test.

However, the big disappointment is that automatic emergency braking (AEB) doesn’t come as standard on any model apart from the range-topping Vignale. It’s reserved for the options list as part of the Driver Assistance Pack, which also adds blind spot-monitoring and adaptive cruise control. Sadly, this pack isn't available on entry-level Trend trim.

All versions come with an engine immobiliser to deter thieves and a Thatcham-approved alarm.

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