2007 Ford Fiesta XR4 First Steer
June 10, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
Ford might have lost 40 million dollars this year (due to development costs of the new Falcon), but in the last 12 months they have added two new XR cars to the showrooms.
First came the mighty XR5, aimed at those who wanted a little more sophistication than a WRX (but not the torque steer in Mazda’s 3 MPS) and as of last week, Ford dealers got their hands on a new hero car, the Ford Fiesta XR4.
I approached this car with a great deal of caution. After all, a sporty Fiesta? Do you want one? The XR4 is powered by a modified version of the 2.0-litre engine living in the Focus. Power comes in at 110kW (3kW more than the Focus) while Torque pushes to 190Nm (5Nm higher than the Focus).
You have to remember, this car weighs all of 1090kg – nearly a go kart with a 2.0-litre engine!
Ford are silent on the 0-100km/hr times but I suspect high 7s low 8s. Fuel economy is 7.4L/100km combined, but expect around 9-10L if you want to enjoy it. The XR4 rides on 17″ wheels with 205/40 tyres, not bad at all. Disc brakes front and rear. The car comes standard with six airbags, ESP (which you can turn on/off) and a whole lot more.
It wasn’t the package that troubled me though, for $25,000 (28 on road) the car is a steal, but just who exactly will buy it? Obviously aimed at the younger crowd, the XR4 stands out like Bruce Lee in a sea of Steven Segals (specially with the stripes – $300 option), the part that got me was it even sounds like Bruce Lee! But does it go?
The XR4 only comes in manual, so it is obviously aimed at the younger crowd with a little bit of motoring enthusiasm. The gearbox is a modified version of the standard box in the basic Fiesta, however it has shorter gear ratios and a clutch lighter than one found in a Toyota Echo.
I took the car for a drive up Mt Cootha (Brisbane) with lots of hard corners and many twists and bends, initially my reaction was sheer surprise, just how much torque does this thing have! Second gear felt strong all the way to 6,000 RPM – power delivery is smooth. You can approach corners with confidence and accelerate out with little to no torque steer (ESP on).
The ESP system is relatively lenient, you really have to be doing something wrong before it kicks in, big thumbs up to Ford for including the system as standard (now why isn’t it available on the FPV Typhoon?). I did find first gear a little too short and this is definitely not made for hard launches at traffic lights.
Coming from an AWD I was very surprised just how well the XR4 behaves around corners, you really can push it hard without too much fear – the chassis is strong and the car feels very well balanced. Given the weight, the 2.0-litre engine makes a meal of hills and has plenty of power for quick dashes, but as with any small car it lacks punch at high speeds – and doesn’t like passengers.
There are some notable problems though, apart from the clutch (which even an anorexic celebrity will find light) – the rear seats are pretty useless. I am not actually sure what the point of them is, you can potentially fit two adults – without their legs. You can comfortably (just) fit one full adult – resting vertically in the back seat.
The XR4’s front doors are about as large at the ones on the Murcielago, and just as heavy. However in order to fold the front seats down, the button actually resides on top of the seat as oppose to its usual place at the bottom, this makes it infinitely easier.
There is no foot rest. So your left foot has to hover around the clutch at all times, in fact the pedals are so close together that in more than one instance I managed to hit the accelerator and brake at the same time.
Ford have squashed the 2.0-litre engine to fit in the XR4, so don’t go opening the bonnet, not that you would because the bonnet release is on the passenger side….
As for the seats themselves, they are half leather bucket style seats, rather comfortable, even for a big guy. The interior in general is rather bland with cheap looking plastic and a leather steering wheel better suited to a base model Kia, typical Ford. However the seats come in a range of colours to match the paint. Speaking of colours, there are six choices :
* Colorado Red,
* Frozen White,
* Moondust Silver,
* Sea Grey,
* Panther Black
* Performance Blue.
If I was going to pick, it would either be the Colorado Red, Frozen white with the stripes or Performance blue. The black with the silver stripes really doesn’t work.
Then there is the stereo, sure its 6-speakers and supposedly a Sony, but it sounds worse than a tin can. It can’t even play MP3s! What year is it again? I believe the cost in adding MP3 playback function to a CD player is less than $10 for royalties – Hyundai added it across the range in 2003! – come on Ford.
There is an auxiliary input though, so you can plug your iPod into it. Thankfully the CD player is not integrated and can be easily removed.
All the good and bad aside, The XR4 has some tough competition, notably the Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart which would leave the Fiesta dead at the lights, and the Volkswagen Polo GTi. The Polo is powered by a 1.8-litre engine with the help of a turbocharger, and boy does it go! With 110kWs of power and 220Nm of torque, the Polo is only $2,000 more than the XR4.
As for the Colt Ralliart, you can read our review here.
In all honesty, I found it hard giving the car back. Sure it has less power than the Golf/Colt, a stereo system from the 80s, a dashboard put together from recycled plastic, a gearknob from Crazy Clarks and rear seats with as much room as my TV cabinet, but the Ford Fiesta XR4 has something its competitors lack. Style.
As I stopped at a red light 20M in front of a police station, a cop car pulled out behind me – had I been in the Colt Ralliart, I am sure I would have received that usual look of death that QLD Police give Turbo car drivers, and as for the Polo, its just a little too feminine for me (and no one looks at a Polo anyway).
The police car pulled up next to me and had I been in another car I might have been a little worried but the officer took a quick glance and said “nice car mate….”. His compliment (my first ever from a cop I might add) pretty much sums up the XR4, its not as fast as its competitors, but it’s cheaper, it handles well and most importantly – it looks hot.
Alborz Fallah
Print it: 
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Paul, u r sooo…
That RX4 would be head to head if not better with any new n/a 6 cyl ford. How i know? Cos i raced them (up to 170kmh) with fwd car with 105kw n 1140kg, thats including circuit work.
Ania u rock ;)
for those of you that are still not converted
i suggest u take a test drive in the xr4
it is truly a remarkable car!
I have a xr4 (a ST in South Africa) for the past two years now. It is one of the best handling cars i have ever driven.The performance is spot on as stock, yes you do get faster cars but at what price. I have cossie cams,exhaust and filter and i’m running 140kw ATF with 235nm ATF so it goes much better than stock.
By the way i have a blue one with the white GT stripes.I have never never had anyone laugh at me.
The reason there are alot of men out there driving small cars is that not all guys are narrow minded idiots who think they have to follow some predifined rules about what is considered masculine. While some guys in their rubbish australin family cars or hectic jap ricers might think its funny for a guy to drive an xr4 or swift etc, everybody else is laughing at them for being conformist sheep and wasting their money, which is probably earned through some unskilled minimum wage job on a bloody car.
I, like Paul, am a young male (21 yrs old), but unlike him, i think the xr 4 could actually be a pretty good little everyday car which is pretty potent. I have always wanted a true high performance car, but at my young age, I think it would be better to be patient and wait a few yers before i do so for a number of reasons such as insurance, for someone like myself, that is a killer, i refuse to pay more than 1,500 a yr for that while im still this young and payin off my HECs fees.
Another factor is that driving a high performance car at my age will undoubtedly attract unwanted attention both from police, ‘racers’ or even thefts. Also, at my comparitively limited experience on the road, i dont think it would be wise to rush out and get such a car as yet.
because of these things, i think that a xr4 would be a pretty good choice. i dont need to prove my masculinity to any one…any one who laughs is a muppet
Going off your logic though, you dont want a high performance car just yet… something like a used Falcon (especially in a years time or so with the new Falcon having ESP etc) would offer far better value then a XR4 as it would be at least a second quicker, certainly isnt going to get bad attention in stock form and isnt that fast your going to kill yourself. Not to mention that at our young ages Im assuming you have mates, although you dont buy a car for them its a consideration, an XR4 is hardly going to carry 4 adults comfortably and in my opinion, hardly in style.
I agree with Paul. 100%
The XR4 being a nice looking car and all, just does not compare in any ratio to the rest of the XR series.
It is a very feminine car… end of story. I’m not a guy bent on buying a petrol guzzoling XR8 or a “fully sick” Turbocharged Nissan Skyline, but I do not like the idea of having what masculinity I have to be questioned by driving something like the XR4.
I even talked this over with my g/f, she said that she would laugh at a male in an XR4. Now, no one cannot say that Paul is being bias.
And believe me, she is as girly as they come, she drives a TS Classic Astra 2004!
I haven’t got the most masculine car, i drive a Subaru Impreza S MY03 RS. But even that is still more “manly” then the XR4.
Good luck to those that drive them, even if they are male.
i can totally see where you are coming from. That being said the xr4 (ST in europe) appears to be doing quite well in its markets, and reviews about it are pretty impressive for what it is. the st is by no means supposed to be a killer on outright performance and is supposed to be a different car from the other xr’s, and that is what some people miss. in the end though it does come down to personal taste. everyone is different from each other.
Paul,
I don’t think you are a fool after reading your post, but what’s my opinion compared to that of thousands of others? I see you’ve set aside this special time to humiliate yourself on the Internet. Oh well, at least you only charge what your free advice is worth. As Abba Eban so aptly said: “His ignorance is encyclopedic.”
Hardly humiliating myself when I have people…
* Agreeing with me
* Having a constructive argument about it
Only person humiliated here is yourself for having to create an alias because your to scared to use your real name and then start quoting crap to provide some form of credibility to your post. Here is a quote from a great person, Paul, he said: ‘Your an idiot’
hey i know where the sexuality thing is coming from here. when i drive my missis car (an excell) i feel a bit embarassed when people look at me and i nearly put a sign on it to tell them i do have a real car at home (falcon ute). but for those that wish to drive these cars i wont critisize them unless they pull up beside me and i see their body language as if they are driving a supercar, thats when i draw the line.
yes the XR4 may not be a supercar but for in its class it is one of the best performers.
and if you are worried about what your mates think all the time and make sure they can get a lift via roomy back seats…..well….. you may as well paint it orange and call it a taxi. yep its 2 doors for me and i love it. The point is these cars arent designed to carry 4 adults all the time, thats why manufacturers carry a different range of vehicles hopefully one to suit everyones needs
and Paul, why are you so worried about finding an extra second? from what ive read you drive a camry!! yep you are right in to the manly image thing (not). and most people would easily kill themselves in a stock falcon or so. read the papers old falcons and commodores are what people are killing themselves in. because there is lots of them getting around with high k’s so they are pretty cheap. dont forget a 10yr old falcon for eg still had 160 kw in it. it might not sound like much but they get you going pretty quickly.
youngsters dont need ESP etc. they need to know how to drive the car first.
one big problem is people learn in hatches etc, and then jump into or buy a larger car i.e. old falcon or commy (my self included) which is nothing like the learner car in terms of visibility and so on
YOU CANT COMPARE THIS CAR TO AN XR SERIES
i think you have summed it up pretty well tehre mate….nothin much more to add!
Ok… lets compare it this way…
What would be the first thought to come into anyones head if they saw a male driving a Mazda 121?
before the xr4 came along the only decent xr was the 1967xr falcon,not this modern unreliable ford falcon crap.and yes i am an old bogan that laughs at you big car drivers while we are all stuck in the never ending trafic jams wasting fuel and getting from 0 10 20 if were lucky…lol
QUOTE = from what ive read you drive a camry!! yep you are right in to the manly image thing (not). and most people would easily kill themselves in a stock falcon or so. read the papers old falcons and commodores are what people are killing themselves in. because there is lots of them getting around with high k’s so they are pretty cheap
Lol yes well that youth, gotta get what you can afford. But as Ive said the XR4 is to slow for mine, I would back my Camry to beat it in a straight line! Fair enough its got great cornering but I dont race people or more practically overtake people usually around corners! As for epople killing themselves in Falcons etc… I think it has alot to do with them being the most common car, meaning your going to see them in more crashes, not neccessarily that they are the cause of the crash!
Hey paul, XR5s are just as slow as that ugly mitsub turbo colt – Yuck!!
^
Aaaaah what now? 0-100km/h in 6.5secs… dont think the colt is that quick, nor does it look good. Unless you meant XR4 not XR5T…
XR4 is a great car. Affordable performance in a nice looking package.
I think the XR4 would make for a pretty zappy car. 190nm in a car that is very light makes it an awesome mountain car. I live near mountain roads and big cars just don’t cut it unless they have modified brakes and suspension.
Cars like the XR4 are made for curvey roads and motokhanas. Although the tyre/wheel combo cuts down on the turning ability as it widens the turning circle. The short gearing may make touring a bit uncomfortable possible a 6th speed as an overdrive would’ve been an idea.
I prefer cars that are nimble, manouverable, have great power to weight and can handle.
It also out performs on paper Mazda 3’s 2 litre, the new civic 2.0L sport and beats so many others on power to weight alone.
It has better power to weight than:
2.4L Camry (current model) and torque to weight.
The standard Commodore V6 barely beats it in power/weight only 0.003kw/kg and puts out just 0.02nm/kg of torque than the XR4 and costs more than $10K more to buy not including running costs.
The Falcon XT does better than the commodore over the XR4, but still only 0.0112kw/kg more power and 0.052nm/kg more torque.
The only benefit in straight line performance would probably come from being RWD however the sheer weight of the Falcon and Commodore simply make the the XR4 far more spritely in the bends, less front heavy so less problems with those big front and rear discs. Plus you don’t have to deal with turbos which suffer terribly from heat soak in our lovely summers.
Paul, i have been reading your comments an i think they are a load of shit! You obviously have no stile, I think the XR4 is going to be a hit, winner of bang for your bucks under $30,000 says it all, your just a tool an cant you find anything better to do with your time than email all your thoughts, no one gives a shit!
I thought the article was a good one!
Hmmm!
I’d classify myself as a MAN, and I don’t actually need a metal phallus to prove it. I have a sneaking suspicion that given our draconian speed laws and generally crap roads that off of the freeways I could have more fun in the XR4 than in an Aussie 6 (or 8). Especially on Australia’s country roads where the speed Nazis are less likely to be in attendance. I say each to their own but I reckon driving enjoyment is more about driver capability than than macho bravado and image.
If you don’t like it that’s fine but don’t rubbish those who may have more self confidence than yourself.
Where has all this homophobia come from? I was just looking for comments on the XR4 in regards to comfort, interior noise, driveability etc. I obviously move in different circles because I can’t ever remember friends sitting around talking about whether their car makes them feel like a man. Seek Help! I want a car under $25000 so I also can buy a house. It should be able to go uphills, be comfortable and fun to drive. I am over 6 ft and my favorite past time is weight lifting. I sure as hell don’t need to try and prove I’m heterosexual at every set of lights. I currently drive an old model festiva (99 with 280,000 km)that has never broken down and I can say I have never been laughed at. Try to be helpful guys, tell me about the lack of foot room and rest around the clutch or something. Save the sexual confusion for counselling. WHO WOULD SERIOUSLY PAY $8-10 MORE PER HUNDRED KILOMTERES TO BE ABLE TO GET TO 100KM/HR 1 SECOND QUICKER THAN ANOTHER CAR?
Just put a deposit down on a black xr4 with no stripes this morning. Getting it for 26k on road which I think is a pretty good price. Took it for a drive and fell in love straight away. It does feel a bit cheap inside but it’s forgivable because it is cheap. But compared with the 93 triton ute with brown vinyl interior and bench seat it’s replacing it is luxurious!
23yo male with no insecurities about sexuality here…
look paul please open your eyes mate is a sexy car it performs well and the price is just right for most and im sure dat when a sexy perfomance blue XR4 blows d doors off your FAMILY FALCON around the streets and still has the fuel to go for seconds you will change your mind….
All I can say is, anyone who feels “underdone” in the manly stakes because of the car they drive, is exactly that in reality.
The XR4 would be an awesome mild aftermarket job, a small turbo with fast spool up, revised cam, and open exhaust would eat an Xr5 alive. Personally I wouldnt get the stripes, save that for the Eights.
My missus just bought the base model with the 1.6, and I would seriously consider one on the merits of how well the LX drove. What a little car. Purely brilliant.
Dont like the front lights!
Well, I just drove a mates XR4 and I can agree with this review. Sure, it’s not a jaw-dropper, but compared to my AU III XR6 ST, it’s definately a refreshing change.
And lordy does it have poke in second :D
Im about to take the plunge and put a deposit down for an XR4. Can somebody here give me an idea about its fuel economy? I have a 26km drive to work everyday, and Im looking for a fun yet affordable car thats good on fuel.Would appreciate your input.
Thanks guys.
Fifth Gear just reviewed this and its a quick little bugger.
I have no doubts it’d be quicker round a track than my modified XR6 turbo. Just can’t beat something that barely weighs a ton around a track.
my wife and and i have been checking out hatches under $30000 and were nicely surprised when we found this new XR4 in our local Ford dealership -instantly stood out! red as well! very impressed just what we where not expecting in this group of cars ps we are old rev heads pushing 50yr have had monaros, toranas skylines, datsun 1600s but in this fuel conscience age this is a little ripper!
^Why not spend an extra few grand to buy a VW GTi Polo?
Thanks for the suggestion ive just compared them on redbook and it looks a better proposition! we will take them both for another run and my better half will make the final call (its her car!)
Ford XR4 is a great choice, I would easily buy it over the unreliable polo…
I haven’t heard of the Polo being unreliable, AC Cobra.
golf the previous polo was a disgrace :(
mind you this things is pretty ordinary as well
^Well whats a good little performance hatch?
Earlier Polos wouldn’t pull a sailor off your sister. The current GTi, I’m led to believe, is huge fun.
^I agree Uncle Golf (Is it alright if i call you that? Because if you don’t like it I wont call you that). There was a test between the Suzki Swift Sport V Mitsu Colt Ralliart V Peugeot 207 GTi V VW Polo. The Polo won!
well whoever thinks you have to be a chick to own or drive a xr4 must be deluided because considering im a 21 yr old male,heavy dutie mechinic who works on the mines and im considering buying the xr4 ive taken one for a test drive and it was great apart from a couple of flaws like no foot rest or cruise it has 6 air bags great body kit wide opening doors leather 6 stacker dsc (dynamic stability control) abs fog lights well the list goes on you compare that to other cars in its price range it simply blows them out of the water!
im female, 23yrs old and i drive an xr4- red with white stripes.
the author of the article mentioned it doesnt play MP3’s..im assuming they mean like burnt discs etc? my stereo plays them fine, along with playing MP3’s from the iPod although you have to purchase the iPod connector from dealer.
i LOVE my car, im the only person in our area who drives one (well with stripes anyway) – alot of the older people had the stripes removed.
the car gets alot of looks, i think it looks hot, theres nothing wrong with the stereo, the seats are comfy etc etc and it goes! plenty of times i’ve pulled out from traffic lights and look in rear vision mirror and the cars are still a fair way behind me (and thats not even putting my foot down!). it corners like its on rails..all in all its lived up to my expectations- i previously drove a WP Zetec and had my eye on an XR4 since i knew they were being released :)
Jeess….here is a tip. Sell it at a loss and update when Festiva and other Ford models come on real soon. You will feel my vibrant and alive driving classy looker as currently not as sharp style and more then bland. It looks OK – but not light years ahead of competition to really stand out. The Festiva and Focus will change that.
festiva?? didnt they stop making those and the focus replaced it?
and im not selling it..i love it!
Jeess – The Focus replaced the Laser whilst the Festiva was replaced by the Fiesta
wheelnut- i was close (kinda haha. even so, Naughtyius Maximus doesnt sound like they know what they’re talking about
G\’Day All,
I am a 40 year old fat bastard & recently had my first drive of an XR4. In my opinion, these little cars do indeed punch above their weight!
I spent the best part of the day throwing one around Wakefield Park (Goulburn, NSW) in the company of George & Andrew Meidecke and came away very impressed!.
No, it did not keep up with the BF Cobra, FG GT, Clubsport, Evo, or many of the other cars that were there on the day. But I think you would be hard pressed top find a car that is more fun for the money.
To save you asking, I drive an old Falcon Ute. I am in the automotive industry.
My humble opinion for your consideration.
Hi guys,
im thinking about getting an XR4, mainly just for cheap trills but it will be a daily driver.
Just wanted to get some peoples opinions on how quick it is? I know there is heaps but need more before i take the big step. What have you guys beaten??
Cheers
I love my XR4! Its my daily driver and I find at alot of traffic lights, without putting the foot down i end up a fair way ahead of the other cars..
Its great on corners (love the bendy roads)
I dont really want to part with my beloved colorado red xr4 but im really liking the look of the new Fiesta’s and with kids in the future i’d need a 5 door
I have had my XR4 for three months and love the perfomance and fuel economy. I would personally love a V8 (purely for the sound it puts out) but with the amount of driving I do it would be burn a hole in my pocket. I find I tend to take the long way home just to drive it that little bit more. That is how involving it is to drive…
my old EAII 3.9L auto beats these with ease LMAO and i can get those cars for $500 these days and with 150000ks on clock, mad!