The future of Ford’s smallest offering is looking a little shaky – Ford has confirmed that the next generation of the sporty ST trim won’t be sold in America, while the Fiesta range as a whole has been a slow seller. Still, Ford's smallest car holds up well against the competition, and it’s plenty of fun for such a small package.
What's New for 2018
The lovable 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine is no more, replaced by Ford’s 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit. A rearview camera is now standard on all trim levels. Otherwise, the 2018 Fiesta remains unchanged.
Choosing Your Ford Fiesta
All Fiesta models except for the ST come with the 1.6-liter, naturally-aspirated four-cylinder, which produces 120 horsepower and 112 pound-feet of torque. If you opt for the ST, you'll get a turbocharged 1.6-liter producing 197 hp and 202 lb-ft. Power is routed to the front wheels via a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission (a $1,095 option across the board), although the Fiesta ST is only available with a six-speed stick. The base engine gets 27 mpg city, 35 highway, and 30 combined, according to the EPA. The automatic transmission's extra gear nets it a slight boost to 27/35/31 mpg, and at 26/33/29 mpg, the ST engine isn't as thirsty as you might expect. Keyless entry is also standard on all models.
The Fiesta continues to offer owners the choice of either a sedan or hatchback form, except for the hatchback-only ST. The hatchback option boosts the trunk's cargo capacity from 12.4 to 14.9 cubic feet, but more importantly it gives you the option of folding the rear seats down, which opens capacity up to a reasonable 25.4 cu ft. The ST trim's trunk is smaller than the regular hatchback's, but it shares the same capacity with the rear seats folded. If you do opt for the hatchback, you'll pay an extra $300 over sedan prices across the board.
Four trims are available: S, SE, Titanium, and ST.
CarsDirect Tip
If you’re looking to the Fiesta as a luxury buy, look elsewhere. Instead, get just what necessary—the SE trim adds in the most essential features for a relatively reasonable cost increase, and you’ll still get to enjoy all the handling and zip that makes the Fiesta fun. If you’re an enthusiast, the Fiesta ST is among the most charming and affordable hot hatchbacks on the market.
The subcompact Ford Fiesta is big on looks, delivering great steering and lots of features, especially in upper trim models. This five-passenger front-wheel-drive model comes as a sedan or a hatchback, offering room for five, although the rear seat is disappointingly small.
Best Value
Ford offers the 2018 Fiesta in S, SE, Titanium and ST (hatchback only) trims. This model has two engine choices and several packages for your consideration. Manual and automatic transmission choices accompany both body styles. The ST is in a league all of its own, offering a turbocharged engine. It battles the Mini Cooper S and Fiat 500 Abarth in this segment.
Fun as the FiST (as the Fiesta ST is affectionately called by the enthusiast community), the Fiesta Titanium is the smart buy in the family. It adds a 6.5-inch color display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, and two USB ports. This model also has fog lamps, heated side mirrors, heated front seats, leather-trimmed seats and an eight-speaker audio system.
Model: Ford Fiesta Titanium Hatchback
Engine: 1.6-liter inline-four
Output: 120 hp/112 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
MPG: 27 City / 37 Hwy
Options: Navigation system ($795, navigation, HD radio)
Base Price:$20,370 (including a $875 destination charge)
Best Value Price:$21,165
Performance
The standard engine supplies sufficient response and when revved high you’ll stroll to 60 mph from a dead stop inside of 10 seconds. Of course, if you want the extra speed, the turbo powering the ST will shave several seconds off of that time. We like the Fiesta’s smartly-tuned suspension and steering, which is nicely weighted and supplies feedback. Handling is another strong point, but when it comes to ride comfort, you’ll feel road harshness.
Style
In recent years, manufacturers have given designers license when crafting their smallest cars. The Fiesta is an excellent example of this with its gaping grille, sweeping headlamps and crisp lines. The Fiesta is a beautiful complement to the compact Focus and midsize Fusion. Of the two body styles, the hatchback offers the better execution. The sedan simply appears too narrow and tall.
Inside, the cabin offers a decent amount of space. The front seats feel flat, although the ST's available Recaros are the complete opposite, bear hugging the driver and front-seat passenger. They standard seats look comfortable, but may prove painful for tall passengers, especially when taking long trips. There's a lack of legroom for the driver, and the hard plastic of the center console The rear seats may be even more of a challenge for adults, so use them for children or simply fold down the seat for added storage. On the plus side, Ford supplied ample damping to keep outside noise from overwhelming the cabin.
The Best and Worst Things
We’re thrilled Ford Performance got its hands on the Ford’s smallest model to create the Fiesta ST. Ford lays down its performance credentials and gives budget-minded customers an affordable model that few other manufacturers match.
The base model is much too bare for our tastes and we think you’ll agree. It isn’t until you get to the Titanium level where you’ll find the many amenities customers want.
Right For? Wrong For?
First-time car buyers on a budget should be naturally attracted to the Fiesta as if offers an affordable option to a late-model used car they may not really want. Why settle when you can have something new and fun?
If you plan to carry more than two people the rear seat may be too disappointing for your passengers. There is a fair amount of room back there, but the seats are uncomfortable.
The Bottom Line
Put the Ford Fiesta on your shopping list if you’re considering this model for yourself and perhaps one other person. Folding down the rear seat delivers generous storage space and covers up its main deficiency: an uncomfortable back seat.
Read Less
Specs & Features
Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.
1.6L I-4 / 120 HP / 112 ft.lbs.
Transmission
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.
Standard:
5-spd man w/OD
Available:
6-spd SelectShift auto-shift man w/OD
Drive Type
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.
27 / 35 / 31 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
This Safety Rating comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which evaluates how this vehicle performs in crash tests. NHTSA conducts frontal, side and rollover tests because these types account for the majority of crashes on America's roadways. This Overall Crash Safety Rating combines scores for these three crash tests.