I have to tell you upfront, this is one of the absolutely coolest looking cars on the planet right now, and there are three great things to know about it. It is very economical, it is very inexpensive and it is made by Ford.
Well, it is made by Ford in Mexico, but no matter. This is a car that can go head to head with the best in class from Japan, the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, and look better doing it. I mean, look at how svelte and slick this shape is. And it all happens without sacrificing room for, well OK, a reasonably sized person in back.
A famous Italian designer once said that it is just as inexpensive to make a pretty car as to make an ugly one. This a lesson that Ford has now taught it’s two Japanese rivals with their, uh, can we say plain jane competition?
The base price on the little 5-door hatchback SES Fiesta, is just over $17,000, but ours was all optioned and leathered up to 21-grand. To me, that’s too much, and not the way this car will be bought. But you still get the lovely interior, roomy cargo area and Star Trek dashboard for the basic entry fee.
Under the hood, well not a heck of a lot to be frank. The 1.6-liter four cylinder engine wheezes out 118 horsepower to take the little Fiesta from 0-60 in 8.7 seconds. Honestly, I am surprised to find it is that fast because it doesn’t feel it. Handling is excellent though, and mileage for our week of spirited driving around town, stayed in the mid-30’s, which is the point of cars like this.
The Ford Fiesta is back after a 30-year absence in this market and proves again that when a company is on a roll like Ford is right now, they almost have to try to screw it up. The Fiesta is another hit, and dare we say it…makes the econobox almost sexy.