We tested the Ford Fiesta: an agile and comfortable vehicle that meets the ECO label

If something works well for you, better not shake it too much. This is the new evolution of the  Ford Fiesta  , a utility that changes only what is right and necessary to stay in the fight against rivals such as the  SEAT Ibiza .

Slightly renewed aesthetics, more technology inside and a range of engines that entrusts (almost) everything to  the ECO label  , and among which we tested the 155 hp engine. The most powerful Ford Fiesta in its most cheerful and interesting version, with a very participative behavior.

Ford Fiesta: the evolution of the utility icon

The Ford Fiesta's biggest argument against the rest of its vast competition has been differentiation. Ford's signature design has been revamped to offer  a little more modernity and appeal  at first glance. And yes, he grew, but without overdoing it.

Although the width is exactly the same, the Ford Fiesta  has increased slightly  over the outgoing model to give it a bit more body. A change motivated by slightly larger bumpers. It gives it a bit more athletic look when added to a more defined aesthetic.

The changes introduced by Ford go in a clear direction, and the new Fiesta looks more like its big brother, the  Ford Focus , than ever . Another to whom the passage of time has sat better and better.

The huge front headlights gain in visual lightness by adopting more polygonal shapes and enhanced with the  new LED lighting identity  for daylight. Shapes that are also reproduced in the grid, with a more generous size and edges that tend to be delimited between angles and straight lines.

The front bumper is finished with much more sculpted shapes than before, especially in this ST-Line X version, in which it tries to beef up a bit more. without protruding  The brand's logo is now in the grille itself  , a feature it has lost over the past two generations, and the grille is specific with a more open lattice.

In the side view, an A-pillar stands out that appears more extensive than in other competitor models, accentuated by a line of the windows that extends sharply over the front wheel arch. Behind the lower frame of the rising windows leaves a  very sturdy C -pillar  and wants to remind us of the days of the spicy three-door utility vehicles.

At the rear, the changes are minimal. The truth is that it needed more touch-ups before. The wheels are new, in this case  17 inches  and finished in dark gray which gives it a premium point which suits it rather well.

Interior with just the right racing touch

As we enter, we meet an old acquaintance. Having tested the outgoing model's Ford Fiesta ST not so long ago   , we found many similarities, not to say saving those specific elements from the sports version is traced.

We have a comfortable cabin with general lines where the soft and rounded shapes stand out with the black color. Only certain  metallic-looking elements are used on the dashboard  (on the glove box, the air vents, the lower spoke of the steering wheel...) and for certain shades of red to give this ST-Line X variant an extra sportiness (seat seams, mats, steering wheel and gear lever).

The seats are also specific, with a more sporty look than they actually are, as  they clearly tend towards comfort  , with generous padding, good adjustment possibilities (manual) and little lateral support.

In general, it struck us as a hard plastic-leaning interior; we barely found any padded surfaces. What it does have is a modern look, especially in this new update where you can optionally fit a  12.3-inch all-digital dashboard  .

It has a modern, clear and colorful display, with  fairly intuitive menus  , although not very configurable, and without too many display options. It changes its appearance depending on the driving mode we choose.

On the dashboard stands the screen of the infotainment system. Ford-style, without being too big and not at all integrated, but with fast and smooth operation, as well as connectivity with  Apple CarPlay and Android Auto  .

I don't know if it's looking for symmetry, but  this screen could use a slight orientation towards the driver  for easier viewing. The good thing is that its position does not make us look too far from the road.

Below, we find the air vents, the climate controls (physical, so much the better!) and a large glove box with a  wireless charging pad  for compatible phones, while the gear lever is on the large side, with a long but precise stroke.

Roominess is correct in both rows of seats thanks to the fact that the door moldings do not invade the cabin too much, so the  feeling of space is correct  . Headroom is good, although in the rear seats the roof drop will leave those around the  meterchenta feeling a bit downtrodden.

At 170cm I fit well in all the places, except in the central one which is not very welcoming, the typical thing. Rear-seat legroom with the front seats in the middle position is really good  . Something that has its counterpart.

For the trunk, we have a capacity that Ford surely  deliberately sacrificed to leave a better interior space  . The shapes are regular and usable. To ask Ford something, it would be nice if the cargo plane wasn't so high from the bottom of the trunk.

It has a capacity of  311 litres  , which is 44 liters less than a SEAT Ibiza and 40 liters less than a  Volkswagen Polo , all three having a very similar overall length (5 mm longer for the Polo and 10 mm shorter for Ibiza).

Behavior not as sporty as it looks

The Ford Fiesta has always been one of those utility cars of a lifetime, but now it's becoming one of the most advanced by relying on  soft electrification mechanics  , which the SEAT Ibiza can't, for example. example.

We speak that this time we tested the top-end engine (courtesy of the ST). It is a three-cylinder petrol unit, like the rest of the range, but in this case the 1.0 turbo petrol unit reaches a generous  155 hp and 220 Nm of torque  . This block is associated with a 48 V mild hybrid system with a 0.38 kWh battery which powers an 11.5 kW (16 hp) and 50 Nm motor.

It runs well low on the rev counter, with  a good dose of torque  . This behavior is largely to blame for the electric motor, which is responsible for feeding the slowdown of the turbo very present in these three-cylinders with heavy flywheels and a little difficult to move at the first stroke of the gas.

As we go up revolutions and approach the top zone, the heat engine wakes up and has a  flow that moves the blue oval utility with ease  . This engine's best is found between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm where it finds the cutoff, so there's no need to rush to perform a spirited ride.

Under normal conditions it is a block with a very wide range of use, although it also has a  high noise level at idle  , which takes away a point of comfort. While running, the sound goes fairly unnoticed thanks to good insulation.

We also found a Fiesta that still has a  special touch of the clutch  usually found in house models. This, combined with the start/stop system, can leave us with the engine sleeping when we really want to move.

The gear ratios pull long, especially first. In this 155 hp engine,  there is no option to equip the Power Shift automatic change  which can be equipped in the 125 hp. A combination (155 HP automatic) which is instead offered in the Puma.

The great novelty on the mechanical side is that the entire Ford Fiesta range benefits from an ECO label due to micro-hybridization, except in two cases: the 75 hp access variant and the 200 hp ST. There are no more Fiesta diesels.

When something works, you shouldn't touch it too much, and since the Fiesta's chassis worked well, Ford decided not to touch it. The setup is identical to before and the result is the same: a car with  nimble, smooth steering and nods to comfort .

To be precise, it's not a soft car, far from it, but the Fiesta filters out irregularities well while maintaining a good footprint. The steering is precise and  the rear participates in rounding the turns  when you dig the accelerator. He lightens but is not nervous.

The Ford Fiesta is a utility looking to the future

While other competing models seem impervious to change and try to avoid the arrival of electrification (perhaps to contain prices), the Ford Fiesta is not resting on its laurels and is launching a range that practically bets everything on the  ECO label  .

A diesel, or hybrid, or PHEV, or all-electric Fiesta isn't expected  in this generation, so they haven't gone crazy at Ford either. What they did was improve the handling of a car that was already running well by adding the benefits of a small electric motor.

For the rest, it presents itself as a more mature car, with a successful image and an interior that can be well equipped but without luxury. In this case, it is not a car that stands out for its frugality. Ford approves 5 liters per 100 km, but after completing our test, consumption increases to  6.4 liters  . Exactly, no more.

The Ford Fiesta starts with a PVP of  21,746 euros  (125 hp 1.0 EcoBoost MHEV engine) while the 100 hp Hyundai i20 T-GDi does the same from 19,740 euros (with 120 hp it goes to 28,985 euros ), and the Kia Rio T-GDi 120 hp for 19,375 euros. Citroën, SEAT or Peugeot are not represented in the segment with the ECO label.

In the specific case of this 155 hp engine, the list price of the Ford Fiesta ST-Line X is 23,673 euros. A difference of less than 2,000 euros to access the most powerful engine in the range.

In short,  the Ford Fiesta is a car that has won over time  and this generation has been particularly good. It retains its virtues, but also improves where it had room and, by the way, looks more packed than ever.

2022 Ford  Fiesta  - Review

For

• good equipment
• Interior space used
• ride quality
• powerful engine at the top

Versus

• Pulling Hard Finishes
• rare chest
• reasoned consumption
• weird clutch feeling

The  Ford Fiesta  is a benchmark among utility vehicles, so when Ford decided to launch a renewal of this sixth generation, they didn't look for big frills. A success.

This update adds an image with an additional focus point, while seeking to retain its own identity. Inside there aren't many changes either but the main one, the   optional  digital instrument cluster, is a nice step up. It's not a breakthrough but it's a point to note: the physical climate controls are still there. Thanks Ford.

As far as engines go, this 155bhp block  is  the strongest in the non-ST Fiesta range, and it certainly won't be the best-seller, but it certainly moves the Fiesta more happily than usual. Is this engine necessary in the range? Well, no, but of course it feels good.

2022 Ford Fiesta - Specifications

FORD FIESTA ST-LINE 1.0 ECOBOOST MHEV
THERMAL MOTOR
	TYPE	Petrol, 1.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
	MAXIMUM ENERGY	155 hp at 6000 rpm
	MAX TORQUE	220 Nm at 3000 rpm
	TRANSMISSION	Handbook of Six Relationships
	TRACTION	Conduct
ELECTRIC MOTOR
	MAXIMUM ENERGY	11.5 kW (16 ch)
	MAX TORQUE	50Nm
DIMENSIONS
	LONG	4 069 mm
	LENGHT	1 735 mm
	HIGH	1 484 mm
	BATTLE	2 493 mm
	LESTER	1 213 kg
	TRUNK CAPACITY	311 liters
BENEFITS AND CONSUMPTION
	0-100KM/H	8.9 seconds
	MAXIMUM SPEED	219km/h
	APPROVED CONSUMPTION	5L/100km
	AVERAGE CONSUMPTION OF TESTS	6.4l / 100km
THE PRICE		€23,673

The car for this test was loaned by Ford.