Ford Fiesta facelift: Test Drive Review

Ford’s reworking of the Fiesta is more dramatic than the usual touch-up of bumper and headlights many manufacturers employ.

The firm’s biggest-selling car in the UK gets a very bold new grille to help it link up with the look of the delayed new Mondeo that’s still another year away, and although the new 1.0-litre Ecoboost petrol engines may have grabbed much of the limelight, the most efficient unit is still the 95hp 1.6-litre diesel, which emits just 87g/km and offers an official fuel consumption figure of 85.6mpg.

That bold grille is a significant departure from the outgoing model’s prettier face, while there’s also a slight revision to the rear styling, but this is imperceptible compared to the nose.

The update also sees the introduction of the Mykey system. It allows users to set an 80mph speed limiter, speed reminders at pre-programmed speeds, and maximum audio volume. It also prevents the disabling of safety systems and the ability to set the satnav on the move.

To drive, the Fiesta is exactly as it was before, which means the most enjoyable in its class bar the Mini, while RVs of 35.2% come close to VW’s Polo. That combined with the unmatched efficiency gives the Fiesta a good whole-life costs win over the Polo and Peugeot’s new 208, itself enjoying excellent reviews thanks largely to its space and efficiency. While over £16k is expensive for a supermini, we did test the top-spec Titanium, which is available in the lowest-emitting format, unlike previous generations where only lower trims were combined with the most efficient choices.

While low-mileage drivers, and that’s many in this small car segment, will find better overall costs with the excellent new Ecoboost petrol engines, for those covering higher distances, the Econetic’s peerless emissions and economy figures mean it’s an impressive piece of kit, even if the new nose may not be to everyone’s liking.