Ford Fiesta is a big player, albeit a small one

As they say: “life begins at forty”, and our guest today is forty-two years old. After seven generations of the Fiesta, Ford is launching yet another hugely popular city car this year. Evolution? Revolution? Or maybe just a facelift? One thing should be emphasized. Instead of getting older, Focus's younger sister got younger. The seventh generation might be to your liking, but it is in the latest version that you can see how mature this car is. Age does its job and apparently our heroine decided to become more elegant without losing a crumb. As you can see, spa treatments did her good. Years fly by, but Fiesta only benefits from this, proving that age is just a number.

"WOW effect"

Twenty meters, fifteen, ten ... I hold the remote in my hand and just wait until I can press the biggest button. In this way, I will let today's partner know that in a moment we will go from a crowded parking lot to a crowded city street. I press and a lot is already happening. As if inviting, the Fiesta lights up with LED headlights and its illuminated mirrors unfold to show it's ready to go. Early evenings begin, and this view will often accompany us. I don't mind because not only is it very efficient, it will help us find our car parked among larger vehicles.

The measure also does not disappoint and thanks to the packaging Ambient lighting, available only in Titanium i Vignale, we feel good in it and are happy to return here. It includes LED lighting for footwells, door pockets or drinks areas. Everything is balanced and does not distract the driver. Just right. Our gaze is certainly attracted by the panoramic opening roof. One button, a few seconds, and we can enjoy the last rays of the autumn sun this year. For such a pleasure, you will have to leave an additional PLN 3. Is it worth it? Of course! In general, the interior can be liked and even should be liked.

Potential new Multimedia system Synchronization 3 – works smoothly and intuitively. Not to be too rosy, delays do occur, but rarely enough that you can turn a blind eye to them. Once paired with a smartphone, we get a well-functioning little multimedia machine that can even support Google Maps navigation or play music from the phone. And there is something to talk about, because the B&O Play system with speakers sounds very good. Standing in traffic jams surrounded by such a set will not be torture. Add to this a few glimpses of the sun and we will not want to part with our partner. 

Useful Fiesta

Ford boasts that the new generation of the popular Citizen is the most technologically advanced car in its class. Looking at what we have at our disposal, it's hard to disagree. Lane Keeping Assist, Rear View Camera, Low Speed ​​Collision Warning, Blind Spot Assist and Active Parking Assist are just a few of the driving aids. It's hard to imagine what else we can get in a B-segment car.

Definitely needs some tweaking lane change assistantwhich doesn't always work properly. It's extensive, we can set three levels of intensity to keep the driver informed, but it lacks precision. However, if we want to be as environmentally friendly as possible and follow the recommendations of the on-board computer, we will lose a lot of comfort due to the vibrations it causes. three-cylinder engine. This is what happens when we trust the clues and shift into sixth gear at 80 km/h. According to the software, this is the optimal speed for upshifting. However, I do not think that perceptible vibrations and unpleasant sounds coming from under the hood are the right conditions for driving. “Five” in this case is the right gear that gives you peace and comfort.

dance partner

Remember that today's B-class cars are as big as a compact car a few years ago. Cars grow and engines stall. The reduction in this class has reached the level of two-wheelers. In our Fiesta he sleeps under the hood 1.0 Ecoboost engine with 125 hp and 170 Nm ready to conquer the city and its environs. What can we afford? Will it be a fast dance to summer hits or a decent and calm waltz? Overtaking slower couples won't be a problem, but in order to effectively turn off the headlights, you'll need to rev the engine up.

Combustion this may surprise you - sorry it's not as expected. Looking at the capacity, one would expect less “expenditure”, and as we can see, our chosen one can “drink” a lot while walking around the city. Long gears and not very strong "down" require cranking the engine a little higher, which automatically leads to increased consumption of unleaded gasoline. In city traffic, the average was 8.5 liters. However, it should be noted that the Fiesta had challenging driving conditions. Traffic jams at every turn and frequent starts undoubtedly had a big impact on this result.

Yet behind the wheel, Ford retains class and sets the bar high in its category. the world. The Fiesta, along with its Focus brother, are often considered role models in their respective classes. No wonder, because they know how to combine comfort with confident handling. On the one hand, we certainly will not be afraid that the seals will fall out, and on the other hand, we will know where the limits of the car's adhesion are. The almost no-roll position makes fast cornering exciting. Coming out of a long turn, we are looking for the next one to experience it a second time. In this case, it is our partner who directs us, and we are not going to oppose him at all. 

Changes inside

And what is behind this "circle"? leather trim steering wheel and the upper part of the dashboard, made of materials that are pleasant to the touch, enhances the impression of a thoughtful interior. Of course, there was no shortage of hard plastics, but their fit deserves praise. This is a city car, so the interior of the Fiesta is not afraid of potholes and constant repairs. In fact, it is only after pressing hard on the area around the screen that any noises can be heard. Ford gets a big plus in this regard.

One more moment for ergonomics and appearance. Compared to its predecessor cockpit it is tidied up and not as chaotic as its predecessor. The large, intuitive screen displays the most important information and, importantly, responds well to touch. As for the driving position, we give it a very good mark with a plus. Aiming was only a slightly lower position of the chair. In addition, the version proposed in the proposal deserves consideration. Titanium extended seats with the possibility of lumbar support. This decision will be most appreciated by people who have not been in contact with him before. The six was awarded to a comfortable and ergonomic steering wheel. Everyone will like the optimal size, it is difficult to single out the cons. Added to this are the many features it offers us. Who remembers that the steering wheel was supposed to indicate the direction of movement? Currently, thanks to him, we will change the radio settings, turn on the cruise control and answer calls. What will happen next and do we need it at all?

 

Titanium version

Prices for the basic, three-door version trend with 1.1 hp 70 engine. they start at PLN 44. For the option with an additional pair of doors, we will pay another PLN 900. Our version, proudly named Titanium, starts from PLN 52. At this price, we also get an atmospheric unit under the hood, with a capacity of 150, but a slightly more powerful option, because. 1.1 HP In return, we will have to leave PLN 85 at the Ford showroom for the 59 Ecoboost variant with 050 hp. with a six-speed manual transmission. We presented such a set in this test. It's a lot? Let's think about what we get extra at this price? Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, eye-catching LED daytime running lights, Ambient Lighting, 1.0-inch aluminum wheels and a slightly redesigned front end for more style and presence. Chrome Cooper color costs an additional PLN 125, but what is not done for our chosen one?

For single and young families

Undoubtedly, the new Fiesta will appeal to a young, active person, but it is not the only target that will interest the leading model of the city car segment. The safety it offers and the ample amount of space will grab the attention of a 2+1 family. The space offered by the Fiesta is enough for everyday commuting. On the other hand, she doesn't pass herself off as someone she isn't, so we won't be spoiled by the amount of space in the back seat. When it comes to big holidays, remember that we have 292 liters of luggage space at our disposal. At the same time, the car is more suitable for short trips out of town than for long trips around the country. 

Returning to the question at the beginning. How to call the changes that have taken place in the new, smaller Focus? It's definitely not a facelift. Revolution is also too strong a word. Ford took a step forward that further strengthened the Fiesta's position in the market. It is still a very big player despite its small size. This is something that is constantly evolving, showing with each generation that it is not going to leave the city car podium.