Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Zetec 5dr Hatchback (2017) at Oldham Motors Citroen, Fiat and Jeep

The seventh generation Ford Fiesta is at its most appealing in three cylinder 1.0 EcoBoost petrol form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

Ford's latest Fiesta is a useful development over what went before. What hasn't changed is the 1.0-litre EcoBoost turbo petrol unit that most buyers will probably want. That's a good thing.

Background

Ford knows what it's doing when it comes to developing small cars for a demanding clientele and the seventh generation Fiesta is no exception. This car is effectively a far-reaching re-development of the previous sixth generation design and, as with that model, one of the strongest weapons this one has is its 1.0-litre three cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine. Since we first saw this unit back in 2012, virtually every other rival has developed its own downsized three cylinder 1.0 or 1.2-litre petrol turbo engine to try and compete. This Ford powerplant still feels a cut above most of them though.

Driving Experience

Certain realities exist in the supermini market. The additional cost of diesel engines rarely makes them big sellers, so this is where the state of the art in petrol engines is often played out. For some years now, Ford's 1.0-litre Ecoboost three-cylinder unit has been in the box seat in this regard. It's also available in a top 140PS variant as well as the usual 100 and 125PS guises. And can be had with mHEV mild hybrid tech. Either way, it's pretty vivid. In 100PS form, 62mph from rest takes 10.5s en route to 113mph. In the 125PS model, those figures improve to 9.9s and 121mph, while with the 140PS derivative, you're looking at 9s and 125mph. The Fiesta has long been one of the very best superminis to drive. This new generation model is 15% stiffer than before and both front and rear track measurements are wider. The engineers tell us that the chassis now offers 10% more cornering grip, supported by Electronic Torque Vectoring Control, which enhances the driving experience by applying a small amount of braking to inside wheels to assist traction and stability when cornering. Braking distances at 62mph are reduced by more than 8%. There are freshly developed five and six-speed manual gearboxes. And rear disc brakes feature on models with engines developing more than 100PS.

Design and Build

If you go by the maxim that if something looks right, it is right, then you'll probably like the look of this seventh generation Fiesta. As before, it's offered in both three and five-door bodystyles and both are tidy pieces of styling with evolutionary styling and a bolder, wider front grille. The side profile is more settled and less wedge-shaped, combining with 71mm of additional body length and 12mm of additional width to give what Ford hopes is a longer and more premium appearance. Inside, it's completely different from what went before. Gone is the previous button-heavy fascia with its cheap plastics. In fact, the number of buttons on the centre console has been reduced by almost half, with many connectivity and entertainment controls relocated to a freshly developed 'SYNC3' 8-inch touchscreen. A semi-translucent piano black insert stretches all the way from the instrument binnacle to the centre console, giving the cabin a touch of class. Rear seat passengers benefit from 16mm more knee room, supported by new slim-back seats that are softer, and offer greater side-to-side support. This Fiesta's tailgate is wider for easier access to the boot, and improved storage for personal belongings is delivered with a 20% larger glovebox and a 1-litre media bin in the centre console.

Market and Model

You'll need to be budgeting the best part of £17,000 for a Fiesta with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine we've been looking at here - list price-wise anyway. As usual, there's a £650 premium to pay if you want the extra flexibility of five doors. This engine is offered right across the range, starting with the base 'Trend' level of trim and at this point in the line-up, this powerplant only comes in its base 100PS form. If you can stretch to plusher 'Titanium' spec, then your dealer will offer you the option of a 125PS version of this unit. And this unit comes in a further 140PS state of tune if you can go further and get one of the sporty 'ST-Line' models. There's also a Fiesta 'Active' variant that offers SUV styling cues that target the growing Crossover market. Whatever your choice, you'll be offered some up-scale equipment options, examples including an openable panoramic glass roof. There's sophisticated safety too, including a Pedestrian Detection system that can even prevent collisions at night. And 'Active Park Assist' with brake interventions to prevent low-speed collisions when parking hands-free. As for standard equipment, even base models get features like air conditioning, Bluetooth, an 'Emergency Assistance' system and a 6-speaker stereo.

Cost of Ownership

The Fiesta has always been a bit of a star where running costs are concerned. When the engines used to be a bit off the pace, the asking prices were low. Now that the Fiesta has some of the most fuel efficient engines in the sector, the list prices of the cars are a little higher - but to compensate, residual values have improved a little in turn. There's an mHEV version of this 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine available but even in its conventional form, this unit returns some excellent figures with both 100 and 125PS variants returning a stellar 65.7mpg on the combined cycle and registering either 97 or 98g/km. With the 140PS model, the figures are 62.8mpg and 102g/km. Insurance premiums and maintenance costs have been kept low by an intelligent approach to manufacturing. Bake-hardened steel on the front wings, for example, offers better resistance to low speed bumps and scrapes. Headlamps and tail lamps are positioned high, away from potential impacts, while specially shaped 'crash cans' are designed as sacrificial parts, collapsing predictably in an impact to prevent more extensive damage and higher repair bills.

Summary

The Ford Fiesta has always been a vehicle that the British public has warmed to and it makes most sense in this 1.0 EcoBoost guise. There's an unpretentious quality to this seventh generation model and a focus on providing the things that really matter to small car buyers - fun handling, an affordable asking price, low running costs and decent accommodation and space. With this MK7 design, to that little list, you can add strong safety provision and sophisticated media connectivity as well. The latest car has a polish and self belief that we've never seen from the Fiesta before. In short, this blue collar car has made good. Especially with three cylinder EcoBoost power.

The Ford Fiesta has come of age. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the much improved seventh generation version.

Ten Second Review

Ford's Fiesta has always been affordable and great to drive. But state of the art? It's that too in its current seventh generation form. Beneath the smart styling lies some clever user-friendly technology - and cabin quality that'll make down-sizing into one of these less of a chore. This is how you right a best seller.

Background

This Fiesta may still be a small car but these days, it thinks big in almost every way, starting with styling designed to make more of a statement in the supermini segment. Under the bonnet lies an impressively clean and frugal range of petrol and diesel units, which includes the brand's latest mild hybrid EcoBoost Hybrid tech. Plus there's a more up-market cabin than you might be used to from a Fiesta, plus safety technology that can automatically brake the car for you, even at night. Ford has also broadened the appeal of the range with an 'Active' Crossover bodystyle, plus variants more specifically aimed at customers wanting luxury and sportiness. And as well as all that, the brand reckon that it'll be even more fun to drive than its predecessor. This is, in short, on paper at least, a thoroughly well thought out piece of supermini design. But will it be enough to keep Ford at the top of the sales charts? Let's find out.

Driving Experience

Variations on the Fiesta theme may come and go but before driving any version of Ford's definitive supermini, there's one thing you almost always know for certain: that it'll be a great steer. This current generation model is 15% stiffer than its predecessor and both front and rear track measurements are wider. The engineers tell us that the chassis offers 10% more cornering grip, supported by Electronic Torque Vectoring Control, which enhances the driving experience by applying a small amount of braking to inside wheels to assist traction and stability when cornering. Braking distances at 62mph are reduced by more than 8%. There are freshly developed five and six-speed manual gearboxes. And rear disc brakes feature on models with engines developing more than 100PS. Ah yes, engines: you'll want to know about those. Ford is gradually introducing its mild hybrid 48-volt tech into this car but for the time being, the conventional engine choices also remain, which means that the range kicks off with the brand's 1.1-litre Ti-VCT 75PS unit which comes only with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Nearly all Fiesta buyers though, opt for the three cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost turbo petrol engine though, usually in base 95PS form (it's 100PS if you specify the optional auto gearbox). There's also an uprated 125PS version of this same engine. The 1.0T EcoBoost powerplant can also be had in mild hybrid mHEV 'EcoBoost Hybrid' form in 125 and 155PS forms, complete with Ford's latest 48V electrified technology. The minority-interest 1.5-litre TDCi 85PS diesel unit continues too. The SUV-style 'Active' Fiesta variants share all the usual mainstream engines, but the top Fiesta ST hot hatch model gets its own 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol unit developing 200PS.

Design and Build

If you go by the maxim that if something looks right, it is right, then you'll probably like the look of this seventh generation Fiesta. As before, it's offered in both three and five-door bodystyles, plus an estate and all three variants are tidy pieces of styling with evolutionary styling and a bolder, wider front grille. The side profile is more settled and less wedge-shaped than previous generation models, combining with 71mm of additional body length and 12mm of additional width to give what Ford hopes is a longer and more premium appearance. Inside, it's completely different from what went before. Gone is the previous button-heavy fascia with its cheap plastics. In fact, the number of buttons on the centre console has been reduced by almost half, with many connectivity and entertainment controls relocated to a freshly developed 'SYNC3' 8-inch touchscreen. A semi-translucent piano black insert stretches all the way from the instrument binnacle to the centre console, giving the cabin a touch of class. Rear seat passengers benefit from 16mm more knee room, supported by new slim-back seats that are softer, and offer greater side-to-side support. This Fiesta's tailgate is wider for easier access to the boot, and improved storage for personal belongings is delivered with a 20% larger glovebox and a 1-litre media bin in the centre console.

Market and Model

As before, there's a choice of either three or five-door bodystyles, plus an estate. Pricing starts at just over £16,500 for entry-level 'Trend' models; from there, the range progresses through 'Titanium', 'Titanium X' and 'Vignale Edition' models. If you want a lifestyle-orientated Fiersta, there are the 'Active Edition' and 'Active X Edition' variants. And if you want something sporty, things kick off with the 'ST-Line Edition' and 'ST-Line X Edition' variants with the standard engines. The line-up then progresses to full-fat hot hatch 'ST-2', 'ST-3' and 'ST Ford Performance Edition' variants. Whatever your choice, you'll be offered some up-scale equipment options, examples including an openable panoramic glass roof. There's sophisticated safety too, including a Pedestrian Detection system that can even prevent collisions at night. And 'Active Park Assist' with brake interventions to prevent low-speed collisions when parking hands-free. As for standard equipment, even base models get features like air conditioning, Bluetooth, an 'Emergency Assistance' system and a 6-speaker stereo.

Cost of Ownership

The Ford Fiesta has garnered a reputation for being one of the cheapest superminis to run and this continues. In fact what's remarkable about this improved range is how so many models go below 100g/km. It's now the exception where you find a variant in this line-up that puts out more than the ton. Take the volume 95PS 1.0 EcoBoost petrol unit, which puts out 116g/km of WLTP-rated CO2 and manages a WLTP-rated combined cycle fuel return of 55.4mpg. That's actually better than the entry-level 1.1-litre Ti-VCT petrol unit (which manages 121g/km and 53.3mpg). In mHEV mild hybrid form, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost unit gets a lower compression ratio and a larger turbo and can be had in 125 and 155PS electrified guises. Plus the mHEV version has been embellished by a beefed-up starter/generator driven by a belt at the front of the engine that stores the energy harvested when you brake or decelerate in a tiny 48-volt lithium-ion battery secreted at the back of the car. The 125PS EcoBoost Hybrid variant manages up to 58.9mpg and 109g/km. For the 1.5 TDCi diesel, the figures are 112g/km and 65.7mpg. An Eco button for manual transmissions adjusts engine and throttle settings to help drivers save even more fuel when desired. Underbody aero shielding further reduces aero drag. As for the warranty, well like all Fords, this one comes with a 36-month 60,000-mile package that also includes one year of Europe-wide breakdown assistance. On top of that, there's an anti-corrosion guarantee for 12 years. Ford also offers the chance to extend this cover - to either four years and 80,000 miles or five years and 100,000 miles.

Summary

The Ford Fiesta has always been a vehicle the British public has warmed to but the truth is that before this seventh generation model arrived, supermini buyers chose this car either because it was great to drive or because they'd been offered a deal too good to turn down: there wasn't really another reason to buy one. This MK7 version has changed all that, smarter to look at, smarter to sit in, smarter to operate and smarter under the bonnet. A smarter choice all round then? Many will think so. This still may not be the largest or the plushest car in the supermini sector but on just about every other main criteria, it's either up there or class-leading. There's an unpretentious quality to it and a focus on providing the things that really matter to small car buyers - the fun handling and affordable technology Ford has long delivered to them in this segment but also the low running costs, strong safety provision and low emissions they now need too. And it's all been done with a polish and self belief that we've never seen from a Fiesta before. In short, this is, more than ever, a small car that supermini buyers simply can't ignore.

Ford's Fiesta has always been a key model in the supermini sector but the latest seventh generation model is aiming to put rivals well and truly in the shade. June Neary takes a look.

Will It Suit Me?

You must have heard of Ford's Fiesta. Women like me and family people up and down the country depend on it. It's been right up amongst the most popular small cars in the UK ever since the launch of the original version way back in 1976 (yes, it was that long ago). Needless to say, Ford's finest has changed massively down the years but rarely, if ever, has the model line made as significant a step forward as the one that Ford say has taken place with the current seventh generation model which now has segment leading technology and further develops Ford's clever three cylinder EcoBoost engine range. Today's Fiesta is a massively important car for Ford and nothing has been left to chance in ensuring it hits the spot with its target market. As target markets go, the Fiesta's is a massive one. This is a small car that needs to appeal across the board to people from all sections of society. First impressions are that it stands a good chance of pulling this off. The car uses the Kinetic design features that have cropped up to critical acclaim across the Ford model range but to you and me, it just looks angular, sporty and well planted on the road. Looking good is half the battle in the supermini sector and the Fiesta certainly manages to do that.

Practicalities

The outside look has merely evolved but I still like it. As before, it's offered in both three and five-door bodystyles and both are tidy pieces of styling with evolutionary styling and a bolder, wider front grille. The side profile is more settled and less wedge-shaped, combining with 71mm of additional body length and 12mm of additional width to give what Ford hopes is a longer and more premium appearance. Inside, the old button-heavy fascia with its cheap plastics that I used to hate has gone. In fact, the number of buttons on the centre console has been reduced by almost half, with many connectivity and entertainment controls relocated to a freshly developed 'SYNC3' 8-inch touchscreen. My passengers were pleased to find that rear seat folk now benefit from 16mm more knee room, supported by new slim-back seats that are softer, and offer greater side-to-side support. This Fiesta's tailgate is wider for easier access to the boot, and improved storage for personal belongings is delivered with a 20% larger glovebox and a 1-litre media bin in the centre console. The windows are small and set high up, so light isn't abundant in the back which might trouble some kids but the shopping bags, coats and road atlases that owners will store there most of the time won't be overly worried. The five door models fare better with a bigger glass area creating a roomier feel and all derivatives share the same easily navigable control system for their various electronic functions. General build quality is a real eye-opener. The Fiesta feels like a far more sophisticated and grown-up car than the models which preceded it and a lot of this is down to the all-round quality of the materials, as well as the solidity with which they knit together.

Behind the Wheel

Despite the fact that it's lighter than previous generation models, today's Fiesta manages to feel larger and more solid on the road - an impressive achievement by Ford's engineers. This new generation model is 15% stiffer and both front and rear track measurements are wider. The engineers tell me that the chassis now offers 10% more cornering grip, supported by Electronic Torque Vectoring Control, which enhances the driving experience by applying a small amount of braking to inside wheels to assist traction and stability when cornering. Braking distances at 62mph are reduced by more than 8%. There are freshly developed five and six-speed manual gearboxes. And rear disc brakes feature on models with engines developing more than 100PS. Ah yes, engines: you'll want to know about those. The three cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol unit is carried over from before, offered in 110, 125 and 140PS guises. Sharing this poweplant's architecture is a lesser 1.1-litre normally aspirated unit, available at the foot of the range in 70 and 85PS forms. The 1.5-litre TDCi 85PS diesel unit is familiar from before too, but this time round, this powerplant is also being offered in a pokier 120PS guise.

Value For Money

Like most superminis, this Fiesta sells in the £13,000 to £18,000 bracket - and there's a small premium if you want to progress from the three-door to the five-door bodystyle. Most private customers will buy in at the mid-range 'Zetec' level that starts at just under £15,000. Beyond that, there are 'Titanium', 'Titanium X', 'ST-Line', 'ST-Line X' and 'Vignale' specification options. Plus 'Zetec' and 'Titanium' models can be ordered with a 'B&O Play' audio system upgrade. And of course, you can talk to your dealer about the sporty 'ST' version and the Fiesta 'Active' variant that offers SUV styling cues that target the growing Crossover market. I'd want to allow a bit extra for the clever options though, an example being the neat openable panoramic glass roof. There's sophisticated safety too, including a Pedestrian Detection system that can even prevent collisions at night. And 'Active Park Assist' with brake interventions to prevent low-speed collisions when parking hands-free. As for standard equipment, even base models get features like air conditioning, Bluetooth, an 'Emergency Assistance' system and a 6-speaker stereo.

Could I Live With One?

The latest version of this Ford Fiesta is a thoroughly impressive car with very few discernable flaws. Ford has elevated its supermini stalwart to a level where it's a prime target for rival manufacturers developing their own new products. Good luck to them in trying to beat this one.