Ford Fiesta: Style in numbers

When the world saw the Ford Verve concept with its juicy cherry sides back in 2007, few could believe that before us was the future Fiesta. The Americans immediately promised that the production version would hardly change compared to the show car. And, to our joy, they kept their word.

Fortunately, the production model differs little from the Verve concept

The current Fiesta is a completely different car, having nothing in common with its predecessor. And it is superb: a fashionable wide radiator grille with large honeycomb cells, intricate front optics, a dynamic inscription with the model name on the rear, and a mass of stylish details embodying Ford's kinetic design. The three-door version looks even more impressive, but the five-door is no worse.

The style of the compact hatchback is expressed in details

Roof and pillars – forget about such banality! The pillars smoothly transition into the roofline, forming a single curve – the new model vaguely resembles a minivan, but this does not harm it at all. Our test car is painted in a bright crimson color, and that is wonderful! Modern compacts have completely discarded modesty, not afraid of juicy colors and eye-catching lines. Perhaps it is no coincidence that the film "Hipsters" found such a response among viewers – there is clearly a nostalgia for rebellion against grayness and monotony now?

The new Fiesta has become somewhat like a minivan, but this does not spoil it at all

The Fiesta begs for comparison with the new Mazda2, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 207, Seat Ibiza… Their color palettes are so variegated that it makes your eyes water. But the "baby" from Ford looks the most mature among this riot.

Avoiding comparison with the Mazda2 is impossible – both cars are built on a common platform. And yet they are completely different.

The interior of the Fiesta cannot be confused with anything else and is impossible to forget

The main trump card of the new Fiesta is the cabin. You cannot confuse it with anything else. After all, it is so disappointing to open the door of a bright little car and see dull savings on everything. But the "Fiesta" literally amazes the imagination with color and digital content. The instruments are hidden in broken elongated visors and please the eye with clear laconic scales.

The visors have an unusual "broken" shape

The central panel advertises Nokia

The pinnacle of digital style is the central panel, stylized as a Nokia mobile phone, and it looks stunning! You just want to press all the buttons and set everything up for yourself. There are no gray tones here – only black, silver, and bright accents. The soft plastic of the upper part of the panel matches the body color.

The only drawback of the cabin is that the world outside the Fiesta's glass suddenly seems boring and gray

The only minus of the cabin is that after it, the world outside the Fiesta's glass seems dull and dreary.

In the "Fiesta" everything screams: "I am fashion itself, I am technology and modernity itself, I am advancedness itself!" Here is a triumph of modern technologies: USB port, engine start button, auto-dimming rearview mirror, rain sensor, voice control for the stereo, Bluetooth… The side mirrors automatically fold when you turn off the engine and lock the car – this is very convenient in Moscow parking conditions. The doors open by pressing a hidden button in the handle – the sensor reacts to the key in your pocket, so you do not need to take your hands out of gloves and dirty your fingers on a dirty handle.

In the "Fiesta" everything screams about advancedness

The seats please with inserts in the body color

The seats are comfortable, albeit strict for large drivers, with inserts in the body color, an ergonomic steering wheel – everything is logical and without complaints. Except that the side mirrors are not very well placed, and you have to reach for the engine start button, going around the wiper control lever.

Having adjusted the controls to suit yourself, you just want to test the new "Fiesta" in action!

The compact Fiesta drives on the road like a confident full-size sedan

The lever clicks through gears with Ford's intoxicating clarity, the Fiesta accelerates predictably and briskly – after all, it is a 1.6-liter 120-horsepower engine. And immediately one of the main drawbacks of the car manifests itself – sound insulation leaves much to be desired: the engine roars quite loudly, but the wind noise is almost inaudible.

The compact Fiesta behaves on the road like a mid-size sedan confident in its own significance. It does not seem light or small, although the dimensions remain the same, and the weight has even been reduced – the Fiesta is 40 kg lighter than its predecessor. The car confidently accelerates to 170 km/h and causes no worries or inconveniences, barely noticing road irregularities. The brakes are beyond all praise.

The new generation has become 10% stiffer than the previous one. In corners, the Fiesta is predictable and does not surprise, although it gives aesthetic pleasure with its enthusiasm, obedience, and expected reactions to the tight steering wheel. Adequate, smooth, stiff. Only the "spark" is missing. The Mazda2, built on the same platform, behaves more cheerfully and eagerly.

The trunk of compact city hatchbacks has never been a strong point. So the "Fiesta" has a far from impressive 295 liters. With the rear seats folded down, the cargo space increases to 979 liters. But the cabin has pockets that can fit a 1.5-liter water bottle, and the glove box pleases with depth and lighting. In the back, as usual in cars of this class, it is a bit cramped, but short trips around the city will not tire passengers.

Prices, prices… Ford has repeatedly raised prices on its models this year, so the new Fiesta now costs at least 477,400 rubles – that is for a 1.25-liter 82-horsepower engine with a "manual", front airbags, electric mirror drive, electric power steering, and a "space-saver spare wheel". For ABS, air conditioning, front electric windows, and heated mirrors, you will have to pay almost 80,000 rubles extra.

For the Ghia version with climate control, trip computer, and leather steering wheel, you will have to shell out at least 531,400 rubles – that is how much a car with a 1.4-liter engine and manual gearbox costs. If you choose the 1.6-liter unit, the price rises to 551,400 rubles.

New Ford Fiesta costs at least 477,400 rubles

The top Titanium trim is a completely different story. The base price with the 1.4-liter engine starts at 531,400 rubles, for the 1.6-liter petrol engine they ask 551,400 rubles, and the version with the 90-horsepower 1.6-liter diesel will cost 586,400 rubles. If you add options, the final price easily exceeds 600,000 rubles. Our test car was valued at 625,300 rubles. The amount is considerable, but the equipment here is top-notch.

The “automatic” gearbox is combined exclusively with the 1.4-liter engine, and you need to pay an extra 30,000 rubles for it.

Fans of a more aggressive appearance should take a closer look at the Sport trim — it already has an aerodynamic body kit and 16-inch wheels. The price of such a car is from 587,400 rubles.

Competitors have no lower prices.

Svetlana Aleeva