With Ford’s Fiesta playing such a key role in our motoring lives, it was a bit of a surprise when Ford announced, last October, that the model would be discontinued this year. 

Especially as Ford only released a facelifted version of the current seventh-generation car earlier in 2022. Perhaps pre-empting October’s news, the appearance of these mid-life facelifted versions seemed slightly quieter considering how high the Fiesta has been in monthly sales charts. 

However, we think the lack of fanfare for the facelifted Fiesta has been down to the current semi-conductor crisis – checking the UK website previously, some models and extras have been affected – although all Fiestas including the ST-Line X we drove are available to order. 

Outside, the key changes for the Fiesta, like the Focus, centre on the new family nose. Taller than before, with a more upright bonnet, larger grille and with the Ford oval moving from the top of the front air dam to the grille. There are also new headlights, with all models fitted with slim LED designs – although our car benefitted from the excellent new matrix headlights, which aren’t cheap as a £850 option, but work brilliantly. At the side, there are new alloy wheel designs, plus our car was also painted in lustrous Beautiful Berry, an exclusive colour for the Fiesta, albeit one that had already been discontinued by the time of our test, which is a shame. 

To go with the new look, the model line-up is revised, too. Trend is the entry-level equipment grade, below Titanium and Titanium X. There’s also the more rugged Active, and Active X, the semi-sporty ST-Line and ST-Line X we have here, plus the ST hot hatch. 

Inside, our ST-Line X has received the new 12.3in TFT digital gauge cluster, which is easy enough to read, but could look more attractive when compared to rivals. Another tech upgrade fitted to our Fiesta is the 8in central touchscreen which has Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity, with useful extra features such as live traffic updates and local hazard information. 

With manufacturers all seemingly moving towards including their ventilation controls in the central touchscreen, the Fiesta is possibly showing its age by not doing so. However, the Ford’s physical controls for the climate are welcome in our opinion. Plus, all the controls and the touchscreen are logically laid out, easy to use, although there are better infotainment systems fitted in rival superminis. Elsewhere, the Fiesta’s driving position is comfortable and the sport seats supportive. Rear space sadly isn’t as generous, but the Fiesta still boasts a well-shaped 292-litre boot. 

As seen in the Focus, Ford’s proven 1.0-litre Ecoboost petrol is now electrified, with 48-volt mild hybrid technology. Our car was fitted with the smaller version of this punchy and smooth engine available in the Fiesta with 125hp, well-mated to a slick-shifting Powershift seven-speed automatic transmission. This equals an official 50.4mpg combined figure and 126g/km CO2 emissions. 

The lack of a plug-in hybrid or a full electric version of the current Fiesta (we understand its replacement will be electric), plus buyers moving to SUVs such as the Puma, were probably the death nail for this Ford.  After all, this Fiesta’s 30% BIK figure is higher than more modern rivals.

What remains the same, and we hope is replicated in the new car is how great the Fiesta is to drive. The auto box fitted here takes away some of the involvement, but the steering remains impressively responsive, there’s very little body roll in corners, it has high grip levels, and this ST-Line X still has a composed ride – even on the standard 18in wheels.  

So, Ford has given the Fiesta a thorough work over, equalling a car that heads to retirement at the top of its game. If you’re still thinking of getting one, this Fiesta remains deserving of serious consideration against more modern rivals.

Ford Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost mHEV ST-Line X 

P11D: £26,195

Residual value: 35.66%

Depreciation: £16,855

Fuel: £8,213

Service, maintenance and repair: £2,197

Cost per mile: 45.44p

Fuel consumption: 50.4mpg

CO2 (BIK %): 126g/km (30%)  

BIK 20/40% a month: £130/£261

Luggage capacity: 292 litres

Engine size/power: 998cc/125hp