Ford Fiesta review

You sit higher in the Fiesta than you do in many small hatchbacks. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but some may prefer a lower-slung driving position. Active models have a ride height that's 18mm higher, but you don't really notice the difference.

Height aside, the driving position is tough to knock. The seat holds you securely in place through corners while remaining comfortable on long distances. Some of the more expensive trims even come with adjustable lumbar support – a rare but worthwhile feature in this class. 

Meanwhile, the controls for the air conditioning (which is replaced by automatic climate control on some of the posher trims) are logical and clearly marked, although the cruise control buttons on the steering wheel are a bit fiddly.

The Fiesta’s rounded shape compromises visibility a bit, with relatively small rear side windows that hamper your over-the-shoulder view. Mind you, that fairly high driving position gives a good view of the road ahead, and your view out of junctions isn’t too restricted.

A heated windscreen that can de-ice itself in moments is a major boon in winter and is standard across the range. Rear parking sensors are also standard on all trims apart from entry-level Trend (where they're optional), and you can add front sensors and a rear-view camera to most models.

The Fiesta's 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system is relatively simple to use, although isn’t quite as intuitive or quick to respond as the systems in the Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo. 

You have to pay to add a built-in sat nav on entry-level Trend trim (it's standard across the rest of the range), but we'd be tempted to save the money because you can use your smartphone instead, mirrororing its display on the Fiesta's touchscreen thanks to standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The upgraded Bang & Olufsen sound system is seriously punchy, if a little flat in the mid-range. It's still well worth considering if you love music, though, and comes as standard on X editions and the Vignale. 

The interior bits you touch often – the steering wheel, gearknob and indicator stalks – feel fairly upmarket by the standards of the class, and the Fiesta even has soft-touch plastic on parts of its dashboard. You won’t find any of that in an Ibiza or Skoda Fabia.

Mind you, the Fiesta’s interior doesn’t feel quite as solidly screwed together as the Ibiza’s or Polo's, nor is it as plush as a Peugeot 208's. You’ll also notice some unappealingly textured plastics lower down on the dashboard.