Test drive Ford Fiesta, Kia Rio, Seat ibiza: Three city heroes
Which of the three additions in the city car category is most convincing
Even before we know how the new Ford Fiesta's first race against some of its biggest rivals will play out, one thing is for sure: expectations are high for the model. And rightly so, since the seventh generation model with a circulation of more than 8,5 million units has been on the market for ten years and, until the end of its impressive career, continues to be among the leaders in its category - not only in terms of sales, but also as purely objective qualities from the outside. the car itself. The eighth generation Fiesta has been on the conveyors of the plant near Cologne since May 16th. In this comparison, it is represented by a car painted bright red with a well-known 100 hp three-cylinder petrol engine, which is also available in more powerful versions with 125 and 140 hp. Competing Kia Rio and Seat Ibiza have also recently hit the market. Kia comes out ahead of its Hyundai i20 sibling, Seat is also months ahead of the new VW Polo. Both cars are equipped with three-cylinder petrol units with a capacity of 95 (Ibiza) and 100 hp. (Rio).
Fiesta: we see adults
So far, the Fiesta has certainly not suffered from such shortcomings as unbalanced driving behavior or weak engines, but on the other hand, it has often been rightly criticized for problematic ergonomics and an old-fashioned interior atmosphere, as well as a combination of slightly narrow rear seats and very limited rear view. . Now the new generation is saying goodbye to all these shortcomings, as the rear of the seven-centimeter machine has become much clearer, and rear space has increased significantly. Unfortunately, access to the second row seats is still not very convenient, and the trunk is quite small - from 292 to 1093 liters.
The interior is presented in a completely new light - it has become more refined and significantly ergonomic. Thanks to this, the Fiesta promises even higher performance against its rivals. The state-of-the-art Sync 3 infotainment system is touch-screen operated and boasts clear images on navigation maps,
easy connection to a smartphone, streamlined voice control function and an automatic emergency call assistant. In addition, the Titanium level includes cute black trims as well as rubberized trims in the A / C controls and vents. Ford is also very convincing in terms of driver assistance systems. Active Lane Keeping is standard on all versions, while adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and automatic braking with pedestrian recognition are available as options. In addition to a better view of the driver's seat, the Fiesta now offers automatic parking technology. Sounds good, especially considering that we're still talking about a small urban model. Pricing has come under some criticism, however, because even at an expensive level of equipment, the Titanium doesn't offer relatively simple things as standard, such as electric rear windows, double boot bottoms and cruise control.
On the other hand, a finely tuned chassis is available in all model versions. Whether it's uneven pavement joints, short and sharp bumps or long and wavy bumps, shock absorbers and springs absorb asphalt bumps so well that passengers feel only a small part of their impact on the car. However, we do not want to be misunderstood: the character of the Fiesta has not become soft at all, on the contrary, thanks to precise steering, driving on roads with a lot of bends is a real pleasure for the driver.
The speed of this machine can not only be felt, but also measured. With 63,5 km / h in slalom and 138,0 km / h in the dual lane change test, the measurements speak volumes and ESP intervenes subtly and unnoticed. The braking results (35,1 meters at 100 km / h) are also excellent and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires undoubtedly contribute to this. The truth, however, is that the average Fiesta buyer is unlikely to invest in just such a rubber.
In terms of dynamics, the engine does not fully reveal the potential of the chassis. Combined with a six-speed transmission with large ratios, it shows a lack of firm grip early on. Often you have to reach for the gear lever, which, given the precise and easy shifting, is not an unpleasant experience. Otherwise, the installed 1.0 Ecoboost wins sympathy for its sophisticated manners and low fuel consumption, which averaged 6,0 liters of gasoline per 100 km during the test.
Rio: full of surprises
And what about the other participants in the test? Let's start with Kia and its presentation at our training ground in Lahr. Here is a small Korean with 100 hp. accelerates up to 130 km / h compared to its rivals, ahead of the Fiesta in the slalom and Ibiza in the lane change test. In addition, the brakes also work very well. Respect - but until recently, Kia models, in principle, could not boast of sporting ambitions on the road. It's a lot of fun to drive - the Rio doesn't steer with the precision of a Fiesta, but the steering isn't lacking in precision.
So is everything in the textbook? Unfortunately, this is quite normal, as the Rio, equipped with 17-inch wheels, is quite tough on bad roads, especially with a loaded body. In addition, the loud rolling noise of the tires further affects driving comfort, and the highest fuel consumption in the test (6,5 l / 100 km) of the agile three-cylinder engine could easily be lower. This is actually a shame, because the Rio works very well overall. For example, it looks more solid than the Fiesta, offers a lot of space in the interior and, as before, has a pleasant ergonomics.
The controls are large and easy to read, and the buttons are large, clearly labeled and logically sorted. There is plenty of room for items, and the infotainment system has a XNUMX-inch screen with quality graphics. In addition, the Rio offers a wide range of equipment, including heated seats and steering wheel, as well as an assistant for automatic braking in critical situations in urban environments. Thus, along with the seven-year warranty, Kia earns valuable points in the cost estimate.
Ibiza: impressive ripening
The biggest advantage of the Spanish model - in the truest sense of the word - is the size of the interior. Both the double-row seats and the trunk (355-1165 liters) are surprisingly spacious for a small class. Compared to the Fiesta, for example, the Seat offers six centimeters more legroom in the rear seats, and compared to the longer overall length, the Rio has a four centimeter advantage. Measurements of the internal volume fully confirm the subjective sensations. Since Seat is using the new VW MQB-A0 platform to build its new model, we expect a similar picture with the new Polo.
Despite the impressive internal volume, Ibiza is relatively light - 95 hp. about as nimble as Rio. However, even at the first corner, you can feel the benefits of the Spanish model, which, especially on uneven ground, remains significantly more balanced in its behavior. With subtle steering that provides very precise feedback to the steering wheel, the car changes direction easily, safely and precisely. The five-speed manual transmission is also very precise.
Passengers sit in comfortable seats and hear very little background noise - apart from what they hear from the sound system, of course. Inside, Ibiza is surprisingly quiet, so the relatively voracious engine (6,4 l / 100 km) sounds quite distinct. The Seat is an agile city car that's great for everyday life.
The help systems are also impressive. City Emergency Brake Assist is standard, adaptive cruise control is an option, and the Seat is the only car in the test that can be equipped with full LED headlights.
However, some shortcomings can be noticed with regard to the quality of the materials used in the interior. The ambiance at the Style equipment level is quite simple, with only the 8,5-inch screen of the infotainment system standing out from the modest design. In addition, taking into account the price, the equipment is not very rich.
In the final assessment, the Spaniard finished second. It is followed by a solid and nimble Kia, and Fiesta - well deserved.
1.FORD
Extremely agile in the corners, well-made, fuel-efficient and well-equipped, the Ford Fiesta wins by far. A not very temperamental engine is just a small drawback, which is compensated by other qualities.
2. SEATING
For driving pleasure, the Ibiza is almost as good as the Fiesta. The engine is dynamic, and the spaciousness in the cabin is impressive in all respects. However, the model is inferior to auxiliary systems.
3. LET
The Rio is an unexpectedly dynamic, refined and quality vehicle. However, slightly better travel comfort will definitely suit him. Due to the strong performance of competitors, the Korean remains third.
Text: Michael von Meidel
Photo: Hans-Dieter Zeifert
