Ford Fiesta ECOnetic Review & Road Test

Pros: Great fuel economy; low CO2 emissions; nimble handling

Cons: No auto option; no spare wheel; manual rear windows

By Nadine Armstrong | March 01st, 2010

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Price: $9,900 to $17,520

Our Rating:

Performance, Ride & Handling	4.5
Comfort and Interior	4
Quality & Design	3
Value & Features	3
Green	3.5

Ford Fiesta ECOnetic Review

The Ford Fiesta, but better!

Model Tested:

2010 Ford Fiesta ECOnetic; 1.6-litre, turbo-diesel, four-cylinder; five-speed manual; five-door hatch: $24,990*

CarAdvice Rating:

Ford flaunts its eco-credentials in the greenest car of all, the Fiesta ECOnetic. It’s fuel efficient, environmentally friendly and boasts five-star safety. It’s the Fiesta we know, but better.

The Fiesta ECOnetic is the sixth model variant on offer in the Fiesta line-up and is available in one specification only, a five-door, 1.6-litre, turbo-diesel, five speed manual.

The 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine is a beautiful match for this car. It produces 66kW at 4000rpm and 200Nm at 1750rpm. It does fall 22kW short of its petrol manual siblings – the Fiesta CL, LX and Zetec – but makes up for it with an increase in torque, an extra 48Nm to be precise. You’ll find the power output more than adequate for this light car.

The ECOnetic stands out for several reasons, most notably for the fact it trumps both the Toyota Prius and the Mini Cooper D for fuel economy, proudly claiming the hot seat as Australia’s most fuel efficient car.

With a combined fuel consumption of just 3.7 litres per 100 kilometres, the ECOnetic is incredibly frugal… the most frugal. The ECOnetic delivered impressive fuel efficiency on a city-based test route, averaging 4.7 litres per 100km. Based on this, the combined cycle claim seems easily achievable. If your daily commute is highway based, you could be achieving as low as 3.2 litres per 100 kilometres. Fewer trips to the bowser can only be a good thing.

The ECOnetic’s CO2 emissions are also very low, at just 98 grams per kilometer. It is the only non-hybrid vehicle to produce emissions sub 100 grams. The Mini D comes close at just 104 grams. Toyota’s Prius comes in at 89 grams per kilometer.

To compliment the efficient engine, a few design changes also come into play to deliver these eco-delights. The ECOnetic’s 14 inch wheels are fitted with low rolling resistance tyres to reduce drag and engine strain; a lowered ride height, air deflectors and unique wheel covers help aerodynamics; and weight is reduced by the use of a tyre mobility kit in place of a spare wheel. If you’re happy to partake in a more prescribed drive experience to maximize fuel economy, a green shift indicator light in the instrument cluster signals the optimal point to change gear.

On top of all of this, the ECOnetic gains a five-star rating from ANCAP. Driver and front passenger airbags, head and thorax front side airbags, driver’s knee airbag, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, and dynamic stability control with traction control and emergency brake assist complete a good safety package.

The five-speed manual gearbox is very nice, with smooth power delivery. Gear ratios are well spaced and the throw between gears is short. Handling the ECOnetic is just as nice. Steering is light and precise and offers adequate feedback and the three-spoke leather-wrap steering wheel feels nice in hand. The Fiesta ECOnetic is a great city car thanks to its petite proportions and simple manouvreability. The ECOnetic is an enjoyable and satisfying drive.

I found it easy to get a comfortable driving position and everything is easily accessed from the driver’s seat, however overall levels of comfort seem to decline as the size of passengers increases! At over six-feet tall, my passenger struggled to get comfortable – there’s not a great amount of leg room.

Forward and side visibility is good, but poor rearward visibility is a challenge – particularly when parking.

Second row passengers are comfortable, but also a little tight for leg room – particularly the centre passenger position. All three passengers get three-point seat belts, but the centre passenger has no head rest. Second row passengers have manual only windows, which for kids is apparently a tedious chore and archaic design!

The centre dash display of the ECOnetic is the same as other Fiestas – angular shapes and lots of plastics. While it’s all nicely placed and very clear, I think it’s already starting to date a little.

The ECOnetic has a good audio system, comprising; AM/FM radio, single CD with MP3 capability, six speakers, Bluetooth hands free with voice control system, auxiliary and USB audio input. The Bluetooth system is very simple to connect and to use.

You will be hard pressed to find a worthy competitor for the Fiesta ECOnetic – they are, well, almost non-existent. A spritely 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine, incredible fuel efficiency, the lowest CO2 emissions for a non-hybrid and five star safety – for under $25,000. The ECOnetic should be bolting out the door. If you’re simply after a light car, check out our light car comparison which includes rivals such as the Honda Jazz and Toyota Yaris. If you’re after fuel efficiency, the Toyota Prius or Mini D are clear competitors, but you’ll be forking out significantly more cash.

The ECOnetic shines in a league of its own, at least for now.

Ratings:

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Reader reviews of the FORD FIESTA

February 1st, 2012

By: Spenc2011

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My Ford Fiesta Zetec Sedan - yes, sedan (officially it's sold only as a hatch - has the looks and economy that you... Read more

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The competition

Deco

ANCAP way of measuring safety is flawed.

The general public would see 5 stars and assume it would fair the same in a crash as a Falcon..

Fiesta is the best light car atm IMO.

tekkyy

its better than nothing
once ANCAP and EuroNCAP catches up with US tests
we’ll get things like roof strength test too

wonder how popular small hatchbacks would be if rear end (not whip last but actual rear-end rear passenger test) were standard

getting a compact cars, without spare wheel, without electric windows, etc to be fuel efficient is like one step forward and two steps back

should move the effort from down-sizing and stripping things out to engine and material strength vs. weight (which I guess is also happening to some extent)

The Oracle’s Teacher

Be careful what you wish for. The current Falcon doesn’t do too well in roll overs. The highest rank for this test in the USA was won by the just released i45 (sonata) .

The Oracle

Clueless Aussie, what is your reference for this claim about the Falcon’s rollover? Surely you’re not saying the Falcon was tested in the USA NCAP program?

Grammar Nazi

I know Ford are pitching this as a competitor to the Prius, but they’re chalk and cheese. Sure, they both have stupidly-low fuel economy but that’s where it ends – I really don’t think this type of car would enter a Prius driver’s consideration set. Yep, it’s nearly $15k cheaper, but Prius is larger, less emissions (esp. ‘NOX’), full of gadgets (sonar cruise control sounds awesome from Alborz’s review) and has in-built ‘cool.

$25K with manual-crank windows and no auto-option? Nein danke.

Bent 8 Brigade

Dodgy – unquestionably fuel efficient, yet makes no sense whatsoever.
$24990(!) with hubcaps, manual windows…5 speed manual, where’s the 6 speed gearbox? How about a 6 speed auto as an option?
Base Fiesta retails for about $17-$18000…add a diesel engine, for $7-$8000? How is it that optioning a diesel engine can be $8000?

Credit where it’s due, it seems like a decent car, but anyone buying this thing to save money needs their head read – it works at 20 grand tops. 25 grand for a stripper base model small car is insanity.

The Oracle’s Teacher

When the optioned up petrol version of this car is cheaper it makes even less sense. I think the biggest mistake though is the lack of an auto. But then that would push it to $27,000 .Add on roads and you have a $30k small car with the barest of necessities.

I’d take the i30 diesel over this.

The Oracle

The i30 may be a better equipped car, but you would have to put every day with the torque steer, numb steering, average handling and crashy ride. The Fiesta is a much better car to drive with class leading dynamics. The target demographic is likely to be swayed by the environmental arguments. However, I have demonstrated before, that on purely ecomomic considerations, no diesel car makes a case over the vehicle life.

toxic_horse

Its true, these things are fun to drive.
The Oracle’s Teacher

…and completely ignored its higher resale like most do. You pay more for the diesel in the beginning but you get most of it back come time to resell.

I test drove an i30 diesel and it didn’t suffer from what you have posted above. Torque steer was negligable to non existant and the ride was more than satisfactory as was the steering.
The Oracle’s Teacher

It certainly didn’t have a crashy ride either. I have spoken to a couple of owners since and they are more than happy with their purchase.
The Oracle

Clueless Aussie said “completely ignored its higher resale like most do. You pay more for the diesel in the beginning but you get most of it back come time to resell.” This is clearly incorrect, you made it up. Interesting logic when you say that resale is higher and you get “most” of it back. You would need to get more than the difference back to have higher relative resale.

According to Red Book the relative resale of the diesel is worse than the petrol. 2007 i30 5 door petrol and diesel on all comparative trim levels, auto or manual. The relative depreciation percentages are the same for both engines. However, the diesel costs $2500 more when new and at best you will get $2000 more for a diesel after three years. So you are $500 worse off. Even you couldn’t claim losing $500 on resale is a good deal. Consider the extra cost of the fuel (most of the time), new purchase price and poorer resale, the economic case for a diesel is much worse than for the petrol engine.

Glen

All advertised prices for vehicles in Australia are now drive away. Take on roads off the econetic price and your looking at 23000. Not so bad when you think about it.

Bob

Yeah, for that kind of money I think I’d consider it if it had Zetec trim and an Auto box option.

Plus, I know its set up for economy. But if Hyundai and VW can pull 255Nm/250Nm from their 1.6s for similar economy out of heavier cars. Then so could Ford.

The Oracle’s Teacher

Too true.

adam (aka mada)

Does the $17-$18000 has the same sepc level as the diesel fiesta? such as ESC, full option of airbags etc!?

PFW Manual REAR windows only, why does the rear windows matter so much!?

It’s not a stripper model based on manual rear wondows and non allow wheels, its about maximised economy and safety!!

If you’re driving is heavily based on city and not much highway driving, diesel IS the way to go.

However diesel vehicles in OZ are overpriced, fiesta is not unique in way though.

Ezz

Pretty sure the only comparison made in the commercial relates to fuel efficiency. You have assumed the rest.

Deco

Seen the Econetic ads?

Direct comparison between Prius and this car on those.
Grammar Nazi

Ford have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars producing the commercial, and have bought millions of dollars of media space airing this ad over Summer, and you think they have done this to only make a trivial comparison between two anecdotal figures? They clearly have a strategic target in mind. No assumption.
Spot

Has anyone considered that:

Ford claims 3.7l/100km for this Fiesta
Toyota claims 3.9l/100km for the Prius

The difference in consumption is much smaller than the difference in the price of petrol vs diesel.

So, if the ‘eco’ in econetic stands for economy then it is a false economy. If it stands for ecology it is false too because the Prius has lower emissions. The Prius also achieves this whilst developing much more power and torque and providing a driving experience that asks you to give up nothing by way of comfort. People don’t just buy the Prius to save fuel. They also buy it because it is full of gadgets and gear.

nick

While it may not seem that they are direct competitors, the ECOnetic and the Prius are only really made for one purpose: to save the environment. If that wasn’t your number one priority in a car it’s hard to see why you would buy either of these.

You could buy a better looking, better equipped Zetec or LX and for less. The extra fuel used would be compensated by the lower price.

As for the Prius, if you wanted a well-equipped hatch you could get a Golf for less. It would be better to drive and again, the lower price would make up for the reduced fuel efficiency.
http://bent Millatime

I’m sorry, did you mean the Prius is cool??? The Prius is an expensive gimmick.
Matt

I believe to get the Prius with all the gadgets you would be looking closer to $50k than $40k
74T/A

Are you mad? A toyota Prius is cool??????your on drugs!
What toyota is cool. when has white goods been cool?

The Fiesta drives so much better,and at the end of the day its driving pleasure that counts,it could be green to the max but if its uncomfortable,slow and Dull(re;toyota) you wont drive to drive it.
Fiesta econetic is on my shopping list but still unsure about price premium over standard petrol version,difference buys a lot of petrol.

Alexander

I totally agree with Grammar Nazi, the Prius & Fiesta Econetic are NOT competitors. the Prius is a larger car with far more room, it also is quicker and weighs a fair bit more. It comes with a fair bit more standard kit and is an automatic. they should NEVER be compared as it makes absolutely no sense.

Jimmy

Try telling that to the Ford marketing team, Alexander.

Seriously though, how can you justify your comment? The Fiesta’s marketing campaign actually has a Prius in it, and the Fiesta quite literally lines up against it in the ad. The whole campaign is based around the fuel consumption of the Fiesta, and the fact that its consumption is better than the Prius’, which up until now, has been the car to beat for title of most economical. Even though the Prius is more expensive and has more kit, the main reason people buy it is because it is the green car hero. But now it’s not alone in the super economical small car world.

So I think it can be safely assumed, the Toyota Prius is a direct competitor of the Ford Fiesta here in Australia.

Lynchy

Geez who would of thought a small car review would of been such hot topic.
You’ve got the people who believe it’s to overpriced for what you get and because of that there’s other cars that come in to consideration. Then there’s people who believe it’s direct competitor is the Prius, in reality there’s proabably no right or wrong way to look at it, Ford is definately trying to persuade a few Prius drivers over with their marketing campaign, this is based purely on fuel economy and not on overall features as some are claiming. The fact is Toyota has enjoyed bragging about the economy of the Prius (and it’s green credentials) for years and now Fords able to do the same, Hyundai does the same thing with the i30, constantly reminding people that it’s Australia cheapest car to own overall, it’s all fair game.

If I was ever in the market for one of the weezers, that some celebrities think will single handedly save the environment then I’d consider the Fiesta, they look cool, have good driving dynamics, obviously cheap to run and quite safe. It might not be as big as the prius, have as many nicities or as many wankey lights in side but with both optioned up the Prius would be close to double the price at nie on 50 grand. I can’t believe gramamar nazi said the Prius has in-built cool, lol I must be from the wrong generation because the Prius IMO is the complete opposite of cool.
The Oracle’s Teacher

When the time comes to recycle both cars the Ford will have won the environmental arguement over the Prius by a country mile. All those batteries are a toxic landmass nightmare. The energy it took to produce them is an anotherl one.

Spot

The Prius’ batteries are actually 95% recyclable and Toyota has a $200 bounty on them to make sure they are returned when they reach the end of their life and don’t end up in a wrecker’s yard.

The Prius is made in a factory that get 50% of it’s energy from the sun.

The battery in your mobile phone also contains the same nickel. Nokia (for example) sells 260,000 of those a day as the market leader. Will you still be using your phone?

MeestaNob!

I agree to an extent – why you cant buy a Zetec spec car with Econetic fuel saving stuff I’ll never know. Just cause I’m saving the polar bears doesn’t mean I want my passengers getting a workout via the DIY windows whenever they get a little warm in the back.

Could call it Zeconetic? Spec it up Ford, I’m sure auto windows don’t add that much weight…
jordan

No spare wheel, this will cost ford alot of customers, considering the mazda 2 which shares the same platform has a spare why coulent they fit a space saver to the ford?

Grammar Nazi

Anything to save weight to try and get a few tenths-of-litres per 100km below rivals. That’s the trade-off.

Yonny

Yes, Ford have deliberately gone for a version which undercuts its eco-rivals in terms of fuel usage.

But I wonder just how much more fuel a better specced Econetic would use – one with a proper spare, power windows all round, and without the lowered ride height, special gearing and eco tyres. In other words, a “normal” Fiesta which just happens to have a diesel engine.
http://.. peter

save!? more like cheaper product sells at higher price , more money in Ford’s pocket, wind up windows, no auto! NO..NO..NO

CrustyTheClown

Expossed metal back of rear seat is plain YUK and penny pinching, as is the fact it does not fold flat, its like a 20 year old design.

As in the wind up rear windows, WTF, its 2010!

The REAL thing is if you like a Fiesta buy a petrol version, they are already VERY frugal [not One!] on ULP yet $8000+ less to buy.

$8000+ pays for a lot of petrol and your looking at a 150,000km/10-year break even point for ther extra you have paid for this edition.

Your NOT buying it to save coin, just like a Prius, just makes you feel all warm, geen and fuzzy, NO savings here guys

Nice review too Nadine A.

C.T.C
Darren

The ANCAP rating is flawed in someway, but it does give you a safety indication if you compare apple to apple, small car to small car. The rest is about the law of physics which I think it is hard to rate. If you’re so worry, buy a 10 tonne truck.

While the Fiesta is the nice car, I found the TV ad for the Fiesta is a bit stupid where Ford try to compare the Fiesta with the Prius. They are different class of car where the Prius is much more equipped, much bigger and heavier as well.
Josh

Say what you will, but Ford have a hit on their hands here.
Sure an auto box would be great (especially a twin-clutch) and niggles can be found all over if you really look for them, why no 3-door version?; but believe this.. this is the RIGHT car at the RIGHT time.
I’m not historically a Ford fan and the cave-dwellers who are their die hard fans will hate it. But you have to admit, Ford are on a real roll worldwide at the moment.

My wife drives a Polo TDI that is about 3 years old now; and this car will be right in my sights in a couple of months when it’s time to replace it, and I never thought I would say THAT about a Ford.

Josh.

Reckless1

You’d ignore the new Polo for this ???

This car is over-rated, over-hyped, and over marketed. Just like the Prius.

Andrew M

What green car isnt overrated/hyped???

And over marketed??? Compared to what. Certainly not overmarketed compared to an Aurion or Cruze.

For years Ford hasnt had a clue how to market vehicles, and this time with the Econetic they have done a half decent effort, one must acknowledge that.
Just because you dont like Ford, may I ask that it not to get in the way of a reasonable discussion

Reckless1

I forgot to add overpriced.

What’s unreasonable about cautioning a Polo owner not to get sucked into thinking this overpriced car would be a better replacement for a Polo diesel than the new Polo diesel?

Both are German cars, I know I’d much rather have the Polo, at least VW will offer auto which Ford has been unable to do with most of its FWD diesels.

http://bent Millatime

What’s the big deal about no auto? If you want an auto in a small car you really should be catching the bus.

Talk about nit picking – this car is a huge achievment for Ford, and is a brilliant little car to drive.

It also demonstrates how ridiculous and overpriced Hybrids are.
Hung Low

Reckless 1: You have seen/driven, read a comparison of a new Polo to sum up its a better car than the Econetic?
Just because it wears a VW badge does not mean it is automatically class leading!
Your badge snobbery is bordering on ridiculous going by your past comment. Its like me saying the next gen Focus is way better than the Golf, even though it is not released!

Tom22

Fantastic, Fantastic car.

Almost the buy right now.

Why do you complain about manual rear windows? If it saves weight go for it, how often do most people have passengers in the rear anyway. I wish my back windows were manual.

I can’t beleive people arnt buying these by the absolutely hordes.

Bob

umm. Because people aren’t that stupid?

http://www.betweentwopoints.com Andy

I understand that they’re in different segments, but you can buy a diesel Holden Cruze for $23,990 with (a moronic) auto, power windows, 5 star ANCAP, and more room.

The Fiesta wins on style and economy, though. But I’m sure many would consider comparing the Cruze to the Fiesta to be as irrelevant as comparing the Fiesta to the Prius.

How is the diesel engine, though? About as agricultural as the Cruze? Or is it quieter? Coupled with a manual trans, how bad is the lag? It was horrendous on the Cruze I drive some time ago.

Shak

Really, because my Diesel CDX seems to purr when its idling. I havebt driven the Fiesta, but i would say that because less padding and less power, it would make more noise?

Grammar Nazi

How have you found the Cruze CDX so far Shak? Half-tempted to test-drive one.

Shak

You should definetley go for a test drive in one. i wanted the manual,but the shift is sluggish and the clutch was heavy. While the Cruze may not wipe the floor with the Golf and 3, it is up there in the handling stakes. So far it is returning about 5.9 which is about on the ADR of 5.7, because i mainly drive it work and back.

http://www.betweentwopoints.com Andy

I like the Cruze engine, but everyone I showed it to crinkled their nose a bit at the noise coming from under the bonnet. I had to admit that I thought it was a bit noisy, too. I had no problems with its output, aside from the lag. Maybe it was just the demo car that Holden gave me…

Shak

Its a very good car from Ford, just a few niggles that ford have overlooked. the fact that it costs $8000 more than the base is a bit extreme, but then again, most of the demographic who buy this car will do it for the same reason early adopters of the Prius did. Style and to show up the Jones’. Nice car but reall need to re-work the pricing.
Gordo

The Econetic maybe about $8k more than a CL but then it’s equipped as well as an LX (you gain the safety pack & USB audio input, but lose the rear power windows and get different wheels). So comparing RRP, it’s about $5k difference.

Drive it back to back with a 1.6 petrol Fiesta though, and the diesel engine is worth it for the extra torque as much as the better economy.
Baddass

This car is a better overall choice than the Prius IMO. Looks better (not really subjective), more performance, drives like a normal car, and doesn’t stand out of the crowd (more than a Fiesta would).

b88lee

If you look it up, the prius is actually faster 0-100km/h and hybrids are known for their great rolling acceleration
IMO the prius and fiesta are not direct competitors. The Prius is auto, bigger and also has more technology. The fiesta having hub cap wheels and manual rear windows is a joke.
Kitty

I agree – no need to worry about replacing expensive batteries either.

The Other Brad

And how often do you think the batteries need replacing?
Spot

The batteries in the Prius are expecting to last the life of the vehicle. They are guaranteed by Toyota for 8 years. There have been over 1 millions Priuses produced now. The battery failure rate is about 0.04%.

When they do reach end of life they are 95% recyclable.

filippo

I would have preferred Ford to import the regular Fiesta TDCi diesel than this model, which in my opinion is a bit gimmicky.
http://graylaminatingsupplies.com.au wombat

Strange how ford are suddenly trying to improve their green standings it is a nice car but you wpuld not pay that sort of money for such a small car i would rather look at the I30 from hyundai
Andrew M

The premium on the econetic is only 5K.

The drive away price on the base Fiesta is 20K, The econetic is driveaway at 24,990.

Even if it was only a 2K price hike would it be economiclly viable???? Nope, but name a supposed “eco” car that does make the numbers stack up……
Of all of them, this would have to be the cheapest and closest to making the numbers work.

The reason this car is so good for Ford, is because it will become their green halo car. They need a “Halo” car on the green side of things to change perceptions about their brand, and by saying they have a car that uses less than the benchmark Prius, people will stand up and take interest.

The Oracle

I agree Andrew. The numbers don’t add up for any diesel or hybrid car. The payback period is way too long. I also agree with what you are saying about “Halo” cars. I believe Ford have an Econetic Focus in the UK. I wonder if we will see that here anytime.

Andrew M

Yes they do have an Econetic Focus in the UK. I believe they even have an Econetic Mondeo…..

The only alternative fuel that will pay back its outlay in a reasonable time frame is LPG. Heres to hoping the update is a cracker….

Matt

Yes theres a Econetic Mondeo too. The Fiesta is a tester before they decide whether to bring the others over.

The comments about it being “green halo” car are spot on

Bent 8 Brigade

The base model is 20 grand driveaway? farq

Andrew M

Wait till you see the RRP driveaway on many other cars.
The Full RRP of a Getz was also around 20K which may surprise some

HyundaiSmoke

Next Gen Rio VS Fiesta, let the games begin!!! It will be nice competition, a nice race. Good luck Ford.

I hope your Mercury Fiesta will be on par with our Accent on the interior front, as the Ford Variant surely wont be.
Nick K

Hmmmm $25K for a stripper model, wind up rear windows, low rent interior fabrics, plastic hubcaps and for Australia no CVT, DSG or 6 speed torque converter auto. Clearly, the car is a great alternative to a hybrid, but for $25K I want more kit and better interior presentation and most importantly a fuel saving type auto. Hey, I’ve just described the next generation Polo that’s coming later this year! While I’m at it why have Ford decided to offer that standard Fiesta with a 4 speed auto and then only with the 1.4 and why does the fiesta’s interior trim look so cheap and nasty. This is a fine small car marred by idiotic product planing decisions and an el-cheapo interior. Is this the best a global company can do?

Spetty

Polo and the words “better interior” should not be used together.
Andrew M

If you are worried about 25K drive out the door for this sort of model from Ford, wait till you see how steeply VW will price such a model
toxic_horse

Mate , you would have to pay me to be seen in a polo, seriously so gay.

Andrew M

How much??
I wanna see it….ha ha ha ha

HyundaiSmoke

The Achillies heel of this car will be price. In the US this will be priced like a VW Polo, but it should be $2-$3K less. The Koreans can provide more for the same or less these days. They really have to get those costs down at Ford.

Its not cheap, then again none of the B Segments these days have a true “El cheapo interior.” Well the Honda Fit/Jazz is a problem. KIA Rio and Fit/Jazz have the same quality plastics, fabrics, etc. The Rio is a lot cheaper, and even the Larger Golf here is cheaper than 90% of the Fit Trims. Theres no justification for the More Expensive than a VW Honda Fit/Jazz. Honda (Japanese Ford) needs to control those costs too.

Andrew M

Well I suppose other brands could be praised for not hiring slave labour to bring their prices down.

Also Hyundais arent as cheap as they used to be. Some of their new range is priced well above their competition, Lets hope they dont think they are already considered a premium brand…..

HyundaiSmoke

They dont think so yet, but they want to be considered a Full line, Full Time Premium brand in the future. That’s why the image, marketing, exterior design, interior materials and ergonomic changes have been made.

As a matter of fact Im going to quote Spencer Calbeck from Motor Authority who said:

“Considering all this, Im going to make a prediction: In 15 years (maybe less), Hyundai will be billing itself only as a premium automaker, though still an affordable one. I feel this is a perfectly reasonable prediction, given the styling of the next Sonata, the current success of the Genesis, an ongoing investigation into the possibility of bringing the Equus stateside, and their existing propensity to offer more standard features than the competition. I believe that positioning themselves above Kia in such a manner will be the best way to cover the market and avoid cannibalization. And finally, I think their current logo will help them. I know that this sounds farfetched, but hear me out. I believe that Hyundais H will no longer be seen as a wobbly rip-off of Hondas H, but rather that it will be seen as an italicised, and therefore fancy, version..”

HyundaiSmoke

You guys still sell truly bad cars from Pac Rim countries. In the US we have a harder time as pretty much everything is good now: Hyundai/KIA, VW AG, FoMoCo, Honda/Acura, etc…..

In the last 5 years here the US Auto industry went from 45% truly bad cars, to maybe 10% truly bad cars (and most of them-80% are Chrysler products).

Bob

That’s quite a silly statement. Given that most models are now global. Except of course the USA still gets the killer (literally) versions of each model.
ptwhite2003

Well, that explains why the Jeep Compass I’ve just finished driving over there was such a piece of junk. Seriously, so less than average it was laughable.

HyundaiSmoke

Fiesta does look Ergonomically decent but the lower center stack kills it. Its too pushed in. Im very curious about that Mercury Variant they are working on, as the Ford variant will be nothing for Hyundai to worry about.

Rio will be a nice competitor for this car however.
Al Juraj

Replace those ugly, heavy steelies with nice alloys and economy should even be better. The new Powershift auto should also get into this car soon to win more buyers.
filippo

I’ve said it before, but I’m not convinced that the lack of an auto would really harm sales of this car too much. Although the Fiesta and Yaris both fall into the light car category, if you look at the manual/automatic proportion of each you will see that Fiesta buyers overwhelmingly choose a manual, where Yaris buyers are the opposite, predominantly preferring an automatic. So people are in effect criticising the Fiesta for not offering an option that its buyers tend to reject anyway.

http://bent Millatime

Average age of Yaris buyers is also 197.

Crossy

I could buy TWO Proton S16′s for the price of this car and have $1000 left over!
Sure the Proton doesn’t get the same economy and it doesn’t look as nice BUT the Proton is bigger, more powerful, has electric windows and a spare amongst other things.
In my opinion both cars are marketed towards people that will mainly use them for city/suburb running around with the occasional run down the freeway. Both will do this very well but one costs more than double the other!
I really like the Fiesta but it’s way too expensive I think.

http://bent Millatime

You are forgetting and conveniently overlooking the fact that if you so much as nudge your Proton up against any solid object it will explode in a fireball killing everyone in the surrounding area instantly.

They rate right down there with Great Wall for safety.

Crossy

Yeah, fair point, bit of a risk.
But even if you look at small cars with a better safety rating like a Rio or Getz they’re going to be at least $10K less than this with more features.

Gan Tan

the S16 has a wheezy engine, ONE, thats right O.N.E friggin airbag, no ABS or ESC and is built in Malaysia, nuff said

Crossy

OK, now I see what you get when you pay another $13,000.00!!
My example of an S16 might be a bit extreme but if you buy a BASIC car such as this Fiesta it should be a BASIC price.
Having said that, if Ford can sell these at this price, they’ll be making a pretty good profit on each car. Good luck to them.

t

yeah i wouldnt pay more for safety, LOOKS, handling and an all round better car either.
t

oh and the Sloton only has electric FRONT windows too.

hth

Mk

I asume F1, NASCAR, V8′s are all going to add plastic wheel covers from now on. Also have a look at low friction oils service costs, easily three times the price and the tyres add 50%.

Steve

F1′s just banned plastic wheel covers.

Tony M

You say the negative are “No auto option; no spare wheel; manual rear windows”. I say that it’s about time only people who can drive manuals get their licences. It’s amazing how much you learn in a manual car on DRIVING, not steering a car around. Who needs a spare wheel? most of these types of cars are driven in the suburbs not in the outback(?) If you look after your tyres and replace them before they become eligal then you shouldn’t get a flat. No electric windows in the back. I would suggest this car was designed for the younger set where you would have 2 people up front and the back for friends or perhapes kids. Not 5 rugby plays going to a footy match.
You might think I am being critical here but I believe this car ticks all the boxes as a common sense car at this time. The Prius is a completely different market.

The Other Brad

I say that it’s about time that people stop butchering the English language. ‘Eligal’ lol

(yer yer, this is a car site not an English lecture).

Tony M

Sorry for the spelling mistake. “ILLEGAL” Do I get a C+ now.

I presume you steer an auto around the suburbs, love to have the kids play with the electric windows in the back, especially when they try to strangle themselves and you love showing your friends the spare tyre in your boot that has never been on the car.

nemo

If you had rear power windows Tony, you’d know they come with a rear lockout for kids. Plus, I don’t see manuals being around for much longer, just ask a Nissan Micra owner

t

i will next time i get my hair cut.

Rocket

If the Econetic is too pricey why would you fork out twice as much for a Prius?

Shak

Its a bigger car, offers more tech, better acceleration, you can actually use the boot. Im no Toyota fan, in fact i hate them, im just pointing out the holes in your comment.

t

so the prius is bigger…. get over it.

most of the time i see a prius on the road it has one or maybe 2 people in it, so i guess the fact its larger seems to account for sfa.

the drivers would have saved 15K buying the fiesta.

finally fords marketing team gets something right, and people bag them… they cant win. if only their marketing on falcon were this smart.
Joe

Whether the Fiesta Econetic competes head on with a Prius or not isn’t really that important. What is important,for Ford at least,is that people who would just go out and buy a Prius because of it’s “Green Credentials” might actually consider a Fiesta Econetic and that those who don’t think about Ford and small cars in the same context might actually begin to.

By the way I have driven a Fiesta Econetic and it is a wonderfull “small” car and if you have a spare $25,000 and want to buy a small car is a great buy, especially if you do a lot of mileage and or want to keep the car for a long time.

A car that drives as well as the Fiesta with 200nm of torque at only 1750rpm and weighs just 1088kg is really a lot of fun, especially when compared to a Prius.

homer

totally agree
i test drove 1 today and it did everything great
a seriously good buy and car if u r not worried about image(eg)
having the fastest and meanest car around
just good solid driving all around
try it u will be surprised

Will

A motor mower with a cabin
Gms

Should I get a new 5 door manual Zetec now and get a German made car or wait for the Thai model with the possibility of extra kit and/or lower prices?
Rob

The comparisons people are making between the petrol and econetic purchase costs aren’t quite right.

The econetic comes with the safety pack (esc, airbags etc), bluetooth, ipod integration etc. To get this in the base model costs you an extra $1500. So the base model is closer to $21500 drive away compared to the equivalent features in the econetic (I’ve costed it at the dealer)

So the cost difference is closer to $3500. Still a lot of money. I have the econetic and a friend who drives a similar route to me (mostly freeway) has a Zetec. I get 4.3 litres/100km, he gets 6.4 litres/100km. At the moment diesel is about $1.30/litre and petrol is $1.28.

So I’m paying $5.59 / 100km.
The Zetec is paying $8.19 / 100km. A difference of $2.60 / 100km.

That $3500 differential is paid off in fuel savings in 134,600km of driving. Doesn’t make sense? Well, it does if you keep your cars for a long time. I do 40,000 km/year. So I’ll be ahead financially in 3 years and 4 months.

Also, diesels do tend to have a better resale value.

Finally, I’ve bought it as an insurance policy against rising oil prices. As fuel prices rise, the cost advantage per 100km increases. When diesel is $1.80/l and petrol is $1.70/l (as was the case in mid 2008) the fuel cost differential is $3.14/100km. That reduces the payback period to 111,500km.
Rabbit

I just bought an Econetic and pick it up in a few days.

I was driving a 2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, and in under a year clocked up 30000 km’s just commuting, it averages about 12 litres per 100 if I’m lucky, won’t mention what it guzzles through when off road… so you can appreciate fuel was burning through the loose change.

Anyway its going to be a change, so it will take some getting use to having always been in large SUV’s or stupidly fast sedans…

I bit the bullet on this one though as life dictates to start living frugally so I guess if your going to make a change, make it a big one.

nickdl

G’day. Just wondering why you decided to spend the extra money on the EcoNetic over the LX diesel? From what I know the EcoNetic only uses 0.7 L/100km less than the LX diesel and misses out on alloys. I suppose more than 30,000kms in a year makes up for the extra money though.