2009 Ford Fiesta Review
December 12, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
The electric power steering is light at low speed but still perhaps a little light at highway speed for the serious driver.
Ride and handling is well controlled and confident, without being exceptional, while the damping is aimed more at comfort than handling and does occasionally produce a bouncy ride over the short, sharp corrugations so often found on Australian roads.
Performance from the 1.6-litre engine, coupled to the five-speed manual gearbox, was more than adequate for a spirited afternoon of driving through the Adelaide Hills, without setting any speed records.
We felt the performance would suit the target market and Ford emphasised that its own research showed that this market was more interested in the technology inside the cabin than a “few extra kilowatts under the bonnet.”
There’s more than enough torque on hand to keep the car moving, even up the steepest inclines, and the handling is sufficiently reassuring that good speed can be carried into corners, negating the need for constant gear shifting.
Seating in the front of the Fiesta is supportive and comfortable and while rear seat room is adequate for two adults, we would suggest that three across seating would be confined to children and teenagers.
As buyers of the Fiesta will probably be either young drivers, who traditionally seem to travel with just one passenger, or older buyers who won’t have many rear seat passengers either the accommodation in the rear is unlikely to be an issue.
The boot offers a generous 280-litres of space with the rear seats up and when they are folded this increases to 965-litres.
Against some of its rivals the car feels more accommodating than the Toyota Yaris but probably less spacious than Honda’s new Jazz.
We’ll be putting the new Fiesta to the test against its rivals early in 2009 and will be able to give a definitive answer on which is the best at that time.
Recommended Retail Price
CL Three-door 1.6-litre 5-speed manual $15,750
CL Three-door 1.4-litre 4-speed automatic $17,250
CL Five-door 1.6-litre 5-speed manual $16,490
CL Five-door 1.4-litre 4-speed automatic $17,990
LX Five-door 1.6-litre 5-speed manual $18,490
LX Five-door 1.4-litre 4-speed automatic $19,990
Zetec Three-door 1.6-litre 5-speed manual $20,250
Zetec Five-door 1.6-litre 5-speed manual $20,990
Zetec Five-door 1.4-litre 4-speed automatic $22,490
Fiesta options
Safety Pack for CL and LX includes:
- Head and Thorax protecting Side Airbag
- Driver Knee Airbag
- Dynamic Stability Control $1000
Prestige paint $320
That reads like a sales blurb/press release, but this is still a very nice little car.
If not a tad too similar to the Mazda 2.
The body kit on the Zetec makes the Fiesta look to harsh and abrasive and over complicates the kenetic design. I have no basis for this claim what-so-ever but i don’t think it’ll be the sales success in Australia that Ford needs it to be. I think its the Falcon/Territory image that Ford just can’t shed. Case in point is the current Focus, something, which by all means is a fantastic car but just isnt moving of dealer lots primaraly because it’s a Ford.
Side on, the tail lights and head lights look bigger than the wheels. The proportions are all over the shop. They should have followed the Mazda 2 more closely, as it’s proportions are much more cohesive. The whole thing is trying too hard.
Antispam=Maybach lol
That is a great looking car…inside and out.
I think It will take take the fight to the Barina with out a problem not to mention a lot of other small cars in the market.
All ford needs to do is ensure it can keep up with demand. There is going to be a lot of demand for this car :)
Not sure how you came to that conclusion Tom, I just read the piece and there is more than enough on how the car drives etc.
Seems like a nice car but it probably has Euro brakes. This means constant black front wheels and brake rotor AND pad changes at 30,000km for some owners at a cost of $1000+ from your Ford dealer.
Not a problem on performance models but a big one on so called “economy” cars.
I agree with Christiaan, it’s over complicated and looks like a cross between the old festiva and last gen TX-5.
I went to the launch a few weeks ago. They look fantastic in the metal. Makes the Mazda 2 look bland by comparison. But with a blue oval on the front, will fickle, badge-conscious Aussies buy it…?
If you get the chance, search Youtube for the Top Gear Ford Fiesta review.
One of the best reviews I’ve ever seen on Top Gear.
Would buy a Mazda 2 over this any day. Had a close look at the Fiesta at the Sydney motorshow – and it was the usual ford. The over use of plastics and crap styling. Yawn.
Anyone tell me what other small car in the new fiesta’s class uses soft touch pading material?
The platform is a Mazda/Ford, reliability and build quality will be the same as the mazda 2.
I’m convinced thet it’s only the blue oval that people see and judge by.
This vehicle is a match for any jap or euro vehicle, yet many still aren’t convinced!
Unbelievable…
Why down-rate the engine for the Auto?
It’s all to do with demand, Europe prefers manuals, not autos.
We get what they get.
US spec fiestas will be getting a DSG gearbox early 2010.
this class of vehicle is very price sensitive.
This is a heavily contested market. Toyota has the following and Honda Jazz is not a big volume seller so targeting Honda customers wont see big dividends. (Although I am sure Ford did the research and will market the car accordingly, Mondeo anyone?) It is a good looking car if not a little over complicated with bulges and sharp lines coming together to make what looks like a spastic bubble of all the latest design has to offer, the dash looks like you would need some sort of degree in electrical engineering to operate the instrument cluster. 1.4 automatic? For how much? I like it and I will be sure to steel one from our Ford showroom overnight for a bash. If Ford advertise the car to the right demographic maybe they will convince some of those 2,000 Yaris customers to come over to the blue oval. Lets hope so.
^Jimbo, apparently there were complains about the high fuel consumption of the previous Fiesta Auto 1.6 and the reason Ford opted for the 1.4 in auto form. It annoys me, that the engine has far less power and torque than the manual, yet is still more expensive and uses more fuel.
But the Fiesta is a great looking car.
Just to say, I have read many European reviews for this car (and obviously Europe has other great superminis that Australia doesn’t) and all reviews I have read (including Top Gear and Channel4) think the Fiesta is market leader by far. I haven’t driven one yet but I can’t wait! I don’t think I’ll buy one, but that’s what i said before I test drove other cars I own so…
I like it a lot.
Hopefully it will steal some sales away from the Yaris.
It may be a good buy if Ford discounts it heavily like the Focus (and still can get volume)
By the way the Mazda 2 and Fiesta may share the same “platform” but (correct me if I am wrong) they are different in many key areas.
Different engine, gearbox??, brake rotors and pads, interior trimming and exterior styling.
congrats to ford europe for really pushing the styling on this car, it looks great inside and out!
This car is going to kill the opposition in Europe currently lead by the VX Corsa. Such a stylish dash.
It way better looking than the Mazda 2 IMO. All Ford AU need to do is have the 1.6D in the line up. The 1.4D wouldnt sell to the big donk minded Australian is my guess.
Even left out punctuation to wind up dear old Reckless1.
Still find it quite ugly and out of proportion, also too many lines and bulges.
bring on the XR3 version! Would be great hot hatch if they shoved a 2L or a low pressure turbo in it!
When Ford Australia are desperate enough to go to the US for a “small car expert” it’s little wonder they can’t shed their big fat car company image.
The current Fiesta is the best drive in it’s class even if it is a touch bland for some to look at but I think Ford marketing & advertising has let down the entire Ford range & will have to change before they can expect real progress in the marketplace.
You also failed to include practical information in the road test such as can it escape from baddies driving a Corvette in a shopping centre & can it be useful in a military beech landing.
this thing is a good bit of gear, ive driven it and was blown away, and the thing looks way hornier in the metal then in the pics, the dash is great and the bluetooth is the best in the business, even makes the merc’s systen look hopeless!! i hope aussies pull there head out of there butts and buy this!! i have a zetec on orde already and cant wait to put my wife in it
on another note im worried it ford thinks they have revamped there marketing team, there the worst in the business and deserved to be scked, the only good marketing they do id falcon ute, as for the rest, you could put them in the bin!! hope you read this ford, maybe if you were moe in touch with the people you would sell more…. great product, good dealer network…poor marketing!!!
It doesnt make sense to cripple the auto with the smaller engine IMO, small autos need as much capacity as possible to be liveable, other wise they just dont have the torque to handle it, if anything it should be the other way around, especially since you pay more for the auto..
LloydS, you beat me to it… there is no such thing as a US small car expert. perhaps they wouldnt be known as the falcon car company if their other vehicles weren’t so crap for the last 10 years. the current focus looks $hit in base trim, the fiesta have been poor quality compared to their japanese rivals and up until the current mondeo arrived they’ve had no medium car in that time. They should have stuck with what worked in the 80’s and 90’s… rebadging Mazdas… you cant deny that a rebaded Mazda 3 or 6 would have been far more successful that the lesser quality euro crap they’ve dished up recently.
great little car……..quality of interior and fit and finish is excellent…much bettter than any Daewoo\barina\epica\captiva. Also has Fords signature chassis refinement\handling expertise. Another best in class car from Ford, as is the Falcon, Focus and Territory…..now get the marketing and dealers up to scrath and Ford will sell heaps more cars. Its about time Aussies started buying the best cars not just the cheap cars………..GO FORD.
just my opinion but I dont like the separate binnacle gauges, that seem to be popular at the monent, I find it hard to glance at all the info you want at once,ie speedo and tacho at once, I much prefer both in one cluster so its easier to read all the info at one glance!!
OSU811,
As i’ve already said, Europeans prefers manual, we get the same driveline specs.
The US fiesta will reportedly have a DSG gearbox when it’s launched early 2010.
You will never get all the options you want in the small car range, not like other vehicle segments.
Profits are tight and this segment is very, very price sensitive and that will only get worse as the economy slows.
You also have to remember that options are tight as production is not full scale as yet.
Ford will be sourcing fiestas from Thailand once from production starts there.
prices will interesting as we have free trade agreements with Thailand.
I won’t even consider a Fiesta if they are being built in Thailand, you are kidding Ford, short changing the aussie buyer once again with a car being built in a third world country.
Brad, the factory that will build the Fiesta in Thailand is world standard and will be run by Mazda, which will also build the Mazda2 there. Guess you won’t but one of those either, or any of the myriad other cars that are build in Thai factories, like a Honda Jazz?
david twomey,
thank you, someone with some common sense!
Brad,
I was waiting for someone to make such a misguided comment.
Did you know the current 3 series BMW is built in South Africa?
yes that is all true, but even people within honda will admit that the build quality of the thai built cars, isnt as good as the japanese models!!
So you agree this is true, but, but…??
please provide proof?
so you’re assuming the fiesta will suffer the same fate as the Honda’s apparent build quality differences?
As long as Ford sells the Econetic Fiesta in Australia, they will be on a winner.
Ladies would luv this car =)
No reason to buy a Yukis(Yaris)now.
Ugly little Yaris.LOL
This is so much nicer than a Yukis.
Only reason to buy a Yukis now is if u have taste in your Rs.Lol.
yes I do think the quality will suffer slightly, but most people in that market will not notice the diffrence.
Whats the problem then?
Rear drum brakes – bad.
“Spifire Says:
December 13th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Rear drum brakes – bad.”
The majority of braking is done by the front wheels anyways, and plus this is an economy car; at this price point, everything is very sensitive. Wasn’t that the reason the Mazda2 didnt get equipped with rear discs, citing cost issues and pushing it out of its price range? (The Mazda2 isnt exactly cheap for a small car anyway)
The lack of rear discs wouldn’t be too big a concern if I were to be buying IMO.
Pity we don’t get the TDCi version of this Fiesta that they do on the other side of the world =(
rear drums will do fine the yaris has the same layout but with ABS EBA and EBD and has a pretty good stooping distance
Anyone who thinks America is the place to find a small car expert is misled. Looks like a good car though, especially for Ford. I especailly like the rear styling. The car looks like it is begging for the ‘Hot Hatch Treatment’
At least it has stabillity control. I wonder how much longer Honda will be on VSC for the Jazz. Jazz vs New Fiesta is a comparo i am looking forward to.
I think the price is to high, they WILL lower it when the target quantity is not met [As per always]
Cheers,
F-0
Dlr1 you do realise the 2,3 & 6 are all based on a cheaper version of the equivalent Ford’s platform don’t you?
Sorry guys but Brad is right, wouldn’t touch a car built in Thailand the quality is pretty ordinary compared to same Japanese built models, so bad in fact it’s worse than Korean built cars
How can they charge extra for auto when its a smaller engine & uses a huge amount more petrol. Once againg Ford is taking it main customer and slapping them in the face. I acknowlegde that in europe most people dive manuals but here (and what is being touted as the fiesta’s major market) & the US the main buyers choose auto’s…..why can mazda, toyota and every other maker offer the same engine/transmission combo but not ford. I was seriously looking at this car for my sister (new driever) but think i will pass it by now.
Joseph, tell her to learn to drive a manual, it is not difficult, she will also save money on the purchase.
Oh and another thing, it will be a much more rewarding drive.
Great little car gettinggreat reviews everywhere! This deserves to sell, if it doesn’t it will be because of lack of marketing, dealer issues or peoples outdated perception of what the Ford brand is about.
Ford has more class leading vehicles with better economy, handling, dynamics, styling and safety than any other. But not enough people buy them. At least in a falling market they have increased market share if losing just a fraction of overall volume.
This car deserves to sell well. Good luck.
For the life of me, I can’t understand how Ford gets it so wrong with their small/medium cars in Australia. Where is the marketing that trumpets what crackejack cars the Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo are???
In England & Europe, Ford is the enthusiast brand to be seen in if you know cars. Here they seem to be tagged as a bogan/taxi brand thanks to a million yellow taxis running around the place. In the UK, it’s Vauxhall that’s considered the rubbish brand and Ford is the aspirational car for the masses. Is it just marketing?
Can Ford UK take over Ford Oz please!!!!
Joseph,
As i’ve said Twice now, The US spec fiesta gets a DSG gearbox.
How many will Ford US seel compared to Ford Oz!?
Hello!
Sorry the auto is no big deal imo.
“Ford has more class leading vehicles with better economy, handling, dynamics, styling and safety than any other.” Said Phil C. Not in this country Phil Sorry.
Who does?
Spitfire,
Also, rear drum brakes are not bad, not for this sized vehicle.
please name other small vehicles that have disc brakes, rather than drums?
Why are rear drum brakes bad?
Because they are a penny pinching throw back to the last century Adam.
Without spending a lot of time doing research to determine which small cars have rear discs, one small car that does have rear disc brakes is the Hyundai Getz. The XC Barina was also released with rear disc brakes until Holden in their infinite wisdom de specced it in a cynical penny pinching exercise.
I repeat what I said previously, rear drum brakes – bad.
Antispam = barina, how fitting!
I drove the Fiesta about 3 weeks ago at our Sydney launch – no autos though. Handling is great, engine performs well and gearbox is nice, although a little lighter than the WQ fiesta. Being 6′3″ i am always aware of space, and the front pews are quite accomodating, the rear of course is ok, but i agree with what was said in the review – two adults max for comfort.
The performance of the 1.4L auto won’t be too different to the outgoing 1.6L, the torque is down a littel, but the power is only 3kw less.
Great looking car and should appeal to the younger market that values styling, safety and functionality over outright performance.
prove why they are bad??
Hyundai, the only one?
So you would prefer Ford to add cost to the base price to include rear disc brakes?
If Ford or any other manufacturer do not fit rear disc brakes they will not be selling a car to me. The added cost is peanuts Adam, particularly when taken over the ownership period of the car.
One of the main reasons I bought a XC Barina a few years ago was because it had rear disc brakes.
This is my last post on this subject. Rear drum brakes – bad. I rest my case.
Thats your opinion and nothing more.
don’t get stroppy if someone questions your personal opinion that you put forth as fact.
It’s your opinion and nothing more.
Why would having a Ford executive “small car expert” from the USA in charge local sales be a good idea? I’m sure a lot of US readers will know that Ford USA persist with selling their own locally-designed Focus rather than the Euro-spec Focus, which is a far superior car. Ford USA knows nothing about small cars, but thank god this Fiesta is a Ford Europe product.
Oh, and who cares where a car is built? As long as it’s well screwed together that’s what really matters. I’ve been in Thai-built cars before and I’ve never had any complaints.
Maybe the engine downsize for the auto would have been justifiable if it’s priced the same as the manual. You also have to make do with a 4-speed.
Guys, i think a few of you are missing the point about Ms Donovan being a small car expert. She is actually one of the best people to put in the job as she has just come from US where convincing people to buy small cars is no easy task. You have to remember that the biggest growth section in the US is small and mid-size. Honda’s sell like crazy and Toyota isn’t exactly small.
If Beth Donovan can convince the American Public to buy more small cars, then her job will be easier here in Oz because we already have a strong small car market.
front end looks very nice, the rear though looks like an after thought though. the designers obvisously took styling cues from the frenchies – peugeot and citroen. lets hope they do something with the boring falcon. this little fiesta will still look good in 5 years time, which is something the french cars do well.
I think Ford can thank Mazda for this.
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WTF ,reported!
You dont like the site then head off too http://www.boringtoyota.com!
hahaha well I didnt think it was a site……..it is under construction so looks like you will have to wait Matt!
Simon T,
Actually you are almost right.
In fact:
Mazda have Ford to thank for the Mazda 2.
Motorhead, the Mazda 2/3 is based on the SAME platform as the Fiesta/Focus, not a cheaper version. The Mazda6 has its own unique platform not based on the Mondeo platform, contrary to popular belief.
Too much for a little car. The CL is very basic not like the Zetec in the photos.
I don’t like the new look either on first impressions.
Don’t worry guys, the Fiesta will have second rate poor build quality, it’s being made in third world Thailand ……hahahahahaha
actually Marcus the 2009 models are made in Germany, the 2010 models are made in Thailand.
Marcus,
Just like every “jap” ute and many Honda sedans!
Build quality will be fine.
It’s not like it was designed and built by Daewoo…..
This WILL sell like hotcakes, its funky, fresh AND cheap!
everyone i know thats seen it so far is impressed.
TOP GEAR LOVE IT…. series 12 episode 6 ( i think ) they get one and flog the piss out of it. CLARKSON LOVES IT which was a BIG surprise.
yaris watch out….
if ford can actually market this think ( AS IF LOL!! )
and Marcus
i have a JAP made honda jazz…..
my cousin has a THAI made honda jazz….
mines had a few issues..HERS HASNT!!!!
i should put all my replies in one post…. i will next time… promise lol
my Jazz has rear drum brakes…… i can make ur eyeballs land on the dash with absolutely NO lockup or braking problems… i was a bit concerned at first… NOT NOW
its done 100 thousand HARD kays now…. i havent even checked the disc pads, let alone the rear linings.
drums are fine by me, ( on the back! )
This is a great little car. Pitty they didn’t have the Squeeze Zetec with the 17-Inch alloys (that’s the model I’m holding out to see). Can’t find any decent shots of it yet. The inside looks great, the outside is nice (slightly fussy and is more feminime than the last model IMO which is a turn off). The pricing and specs are all on par or above its compeditors, although I still think $20,000 for a car this size is a stretch (am I the only one who thinks car makers are making a bit more than we think off these cars?) Apart from the pricings, which is comparable anyway, the slightly fussy and feminine exterior (c’mon they could have made it a bit tougher looking) this is a top rate car. can not wait to drive it. Pitty there will be no XR4 (that Ford will admit to yet anyway). If it drives as well as my current Zetec, I’ll put down a deposit. Top review guys.
Will there be a comprehensive review of this any time soon? Especially an Auto. LX model?
the fiesta looked good on tv, so i went to check it out. yuck, not a fan.
Seems like all the comments about Ford marketing are true. I don’t go out of my way to look at new models from manufacturers but I like to think I generally keep up with most things from Ford/Holden/Mitsu… etc.
I haven’t seen ANY advertising for the new Fiesta and had no idea what it looked like. A week ago I realised I needed a new car and because I’m in no position to buy what I want (Holden/Ford V8), I decided to go cheap and get a new Hyundai Getz until I’m ready to get a V8 again. Thankfully my local Hyundai salesman wasn’t too enthusiastic to make a sale so I wandered off to the Ford dealer to have a sticky beak. An hour later I was happy to spend the extra money for a Zetec Fiesta.
It was the only car in it’s class that made me want to own it. C’mon Ford marketing….you nearly lost a sale here.
Contrary to comments above, this car has very little to do with Mazda, this is a part of Ford’s Euro division. Between this and the new Focus, Ford is really putting out some nice product even with their bad marketing. Clarkson on Top Gear loved this car saying it has a VW feel about the way it handled, a good thing for Ford.
The new Focus RS is also really hot in Europe right now: http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.co.....ll-muscle/
The new Fiesta looks even more impressive in person.
We know it’s a part of Ford’s Europe division, Frank, but everything we’ve read states that the car shares its platform with the Mazda 2. There’s no reason that can’t be true. There are hundreds of examples out there in automotive history.
“Beth Donovan, a small car expert from the US” hehehe – that could be read “a lady of small stature” why pick on her size!?!? :o)
Totally Fugly! The previous one was a lot better!