2011 Ford Fiesta

The 2011 Ford Fiesta is based on Ford's global B-segment platform (it's been a hot seller in Europe since 2008, but hasn't been available in America until now), and has only a few changes from the sharp-handling European version. Auto writers welcome the European style and driving character. Automobile Magazine's Jason Cammisa describes the U.S. Fiesta as "a little car with big style, a big smiles-per-mile factor, and big mpg numbers."

The Fiesta's handling is a strong point, reviews say. Cammisa writes, "Drive the Fiesta aggressively, and you'll know why the rest of the world considers this Ford to be the small-car-handling benchmark. It makes the Honda Fit feel like a cargo van."

Reviewers call the Ford Fiesta's exterior styling sleek, modern and attractive, especially with regard to the hatchback's sporty look. The sedan loses points among critics for its "stubby trunk" proportions as well as its reduced utility. Critics like the Fiesta for looking more upscale and expensive than it actually is. TheTruthAboutCars.com's Michael Karesh says that, "In hatchback form, the Fiesta is the segment's best looking car."

Sedan or a hatchback, the Ford Fiesta is still small

The Fiesta comes as either a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback. For more utility, reviewers recommend the hatch, with its 15.4-cubic-foot cargo area that expands to 26 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Note, however, that the Fiesta's backseats don't fold completely flat. The sedan has a 12.8-cubic-foot trunk and a 60/40 split folding rear seatback.

Interior space is small, even for the subcompact class, with either body style. Automobile Magazine's Cammisa explains that size is "where the Fiesta comes up short, particularly in rear legroom: it has 3.3 inches less legroom that the Fit and a shocking 6.8 inches less than the (Nissan) Versa." He adds, "Sadly, there is no enormous trunk to make up for it, either -- the Fit has 34 percent more cargo room, and its seats do an origami flip-and-fold that the Fiesta's don't."

While reviews praise the interior layout for its attractive design and high-quality appearance, some critics are disappointed that the softly padded dash material wasn't used more widely. "Far more important in most cars are the door panels, where arms and elbows regularly rest," explains Cars.com's Kelsey Mays. "The Fiesta's are rock-hard, and I'm not sure why Ford didn't invest there instead of on the dash." But he adds, "Materials are handsome for this class, with high-rent stereo and climate controls."

Also, families will probably want to bring the clan along to try the Fiesta out for size before buying. In MotherProof.com's mom-with-kids oriented review, writer Sherrice Gilsbach says while the Fiesta is "not aimed at families, it could work for smaller families who have traded the bulky child-safety seats for booster seats."

Rides great, but acceleration's a weak spot

A smooth, quiet ride is another high point for the Fiesta. Motor Trend's Scott Evans calls the ride quality "well sorted, giving enough to make it comfortable as a daily driver but sufficiently tight to keep you more than entertained on winding roads." The solid ride contributes to a quiet cabin, reviewers say. Dan Neil writes for The Wall Street Journal, "The Ford can get a little tinny and loud under pressure -- despite a lot of sound-abatement materials -- but around town the Fiesta's cabin is notably plush."

All Ford Fiestas are equipped with a 120-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. The standard transmission is a five-speed manual gearbox, while Ford's PowerShift six-speed dual-clutch automatic is available as an option. This twin-clutch gearbox system helps save fuel, but many critics say it's still disappointing. USA Today's James Healey says, "It seemed tuned more for mileage than fun. Downshifts often were reluctant," and it was "sluggish off the mark." More disturbing to several critics is the automatic's lack of manual-shift override controls, such as steering wheel paddles.

In a three-car comparison test, Car and Driver rates the Fiesta in last place behind the winning Honda Fit and lighter and even more fun-to-drive 2011 Mazda2 (Base MSRP: $14,180 to $15,635). Editors were disappointed in the Fiesta's heavy curb weight and slow acceleration.

Other reports with test-track data also demonstrate the Fiesta's sharp handling, but slow acceleration. Road & Track says the Fiesta with a manual transmission is "considerably slower than the Honda Fit (9 seconds), Nissan Versa (9.2 seconds) and Toyota Yaris (8.5 seconds)." The automatic transmission is even slower at 9.9 seconds to 60 mph. Cars.com's Mays explains what this means on the road: "Getting up to highway speeds requires a steady prod on the accelerator, and uphill stretches call up the engine's full reserves to maintain speed, but this is the norm in the entry-level class."

Abundant standard and optional features for 2011 Ford Fiesta

The base Ford Fiesta S sedan (Base MSRP: $13,320) includes air conditioning, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power mirrors, AM/FM radio with MP3 jack/USB connection and manual windows. The Fiesta SE (Base MSRP: $14,320 to $15,120) sedan or hatchback adds power windows, remote keyless entry, trip computer, CD player, metallic interior trim. The top-of-the-line Ford Fiesta SEL sedan (Base MSRP: $15,990) and Fiesta SES hatchback (Base MSRP: $17,120) hatchback add 16-inch alloy wheels, premium sound system with satellite radio, Ford Sync connectivity system, heated mirrors and additional trim features. Optional equipment varies by model or option package, but includes an alarm system, leather upholstery, heated seats, a power moonroof and push-button start.

The voice-activated Sync system allows the user to integrate portable media devices such as an iPod, MP3 player or USB thumb drive with the car's existing controls and voice commands. It also adds Bluetooth hands-free connectivity for phones and audio streaming, and is praised by reviewers for its ease of use and the fact that few other entry-level cars offer a system like it. Via a GPS module, Sync also provides turn-by-turn driving directions -- a useful feature, especially considering a navigation system is not available.

Regardless, the Fiesta offers more than many other small cars, auto writers say. In addition to options such as heated seats, leather upholstery and the dual-clutch automatic transmission, Automobile Magazine's Cammisa adds, "Standard features such as three-blink turn signals, blind-spot mirrors, and a capless fuel filler aren't available from any of the competition, either."

Fuel efficiency and safety are strong points

Fuel economy is one of the Fiesta's strongest points, reviews emphasize. With a manual transmission, the Fiesta gets an Environmental Protection Agency-estimated 28 mpg city, 37 mpg highway and 32 mpg combined. The automatic transmission increases fuel efficiency by 1 mpg across the board: 29 city/38 highway/33 combined. Finally, the Fiesta SFE (Superior Fuel Economy) package for the automatic-equipped Fiesta SE adds low-rolling-resistance tires and aerodynamic enhancements to boost highway fuel economy to 40 mpg (the city/combined numbers remain 29/33).

Standard safety equipment in the 2011 Ford Fiesta includes ABS, electronic stability control and seven airbags: driver and passenger front airbags, front-seat-mounted side-impact airbags, front and rear side-curtain airbags, and a driver's side knee airbag. The independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) names the 2011 Ford Fiesta a Top Safety Pick -- the only vehicle in the minicar class to be recognized as such. In IIHS tests, the Fiesta scored the max rating of "Good" in front and side impact crashes, as well as the roof-strength evaluation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the Fiesta an overall rating of 4 stars out of 5 for its performance in federal crash and rollover risk tests.

Sizing up the competition for the Ford Fiesta

The most common competitor mentioned in reviews is also the de facto benchmark in the subcompact class: the 2011 Honda Fit (Base MSRP: $15,100 to $16,860). Reviewers credit the higher priced Fit for having a much larger interior, but they generally say the Fiesta has better handling, is quieter and has more available equipment.

The Ford Fiesta also beats the Fit and other conventionally gas-powered subcompacts in fuel economy. The 2011 Nissan Versa (Base MSRP: $9,990 to $17,190) beats the Fiesta on price, ride comfort and roominess, but fails to match the Ford's refinement, style and handling, critics say.

Edmunds.com editors note that the 2011 Suzuki SX4 (Base MSRP: $13,499 to $18,999) "presents a strong value proposition." But versus the competition, Edmunds.com claims, "if you want the one that equals or betters them at their own games, it's the Fiesta."

Finding the best Ford Fiesta reviews

Cars.com, Edmunds Inside Line and Motor Trend provide three of the most comprehensive evaluations. Additional valuable critiques with plenty of behind-the-wheel driving opinions can also be found at The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Autoblog.com. Car and Driver conducts a thorough, three-car comparison test with the Fiesta up against its chassis-mate, Mazda2, and Honda Fit. Road & Track compares the Fiesta to the Mazda2 in a brief, but insightful, article.