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, and the Fiesta is predicted to hold onto its value better than many rivals.

If you’re buying on PCP finance, as many small car buyers choose to do, the Fiesta will have higher monthly repayments than rivals – namely the Volkswagen Polo and Skoda 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 low.

Entry-level Zetec trim is certainly worth a look; it gets you alloy wheels, air conditioning, 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 lights and wipers.

However, given the Fiesta's fun-driving nature, we'd be tempted to go for sporty ST-Line trim. This is similarly specified to Zetec trim but adds a bodykit and stiffer sports suspension that makes for even more agile cornering.

The SUV-flavoured Fiesta Active is available in three trim levels: Active 1 is based on Zetec trim and the one to go for, Active B&O Play gets the same kit but has a Bang & Olufsen sound system and Active X adds some luxuries but raises the price considerably. In fact, posher 'X' versions of any trim are too pricey for us to recommend. The same goes for the range-topping Vignale.

The latest Fiesta is too new to have appeared in the 2018 What Car? Reliability Survey, but the previous-generation model was awarded above-average marks, bettering the Peugeot 208 and Vauxhall Corsa. Given that the latest Fiesta shares many nuts and bolts with its predecessor, that's a promising sign.

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 Hyundai 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.

Upgrade to Titanium trim and you’ll also get traffic sign recognition and driver alertness detection, while blindspot monitoring and cross traffic alert (a system that warns you of approaching vehicles when you’re backing out of your driveway) are on the options list.

However, the big disappointment is that automatic emergency braking (AEB) doesn’t come as standard on any model. It’s reserved for the options list as part of the Driver Assistance Pack – which isn’t available at all on the the Fiesta ST. 

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

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here