Test Ford Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost 125 CV Titanium (with video)

The car market does not stop evolving and no manufacturer can "take a nap". Although SUVs represent a large part of sales in Spain, approximately 25% of sales are for segment B, where practically all the generalist brands have a presence. Today we test a mythical model in this category, the Ford Fiesta, which has been with us for more than 4 decades.

In the second half of 2017, the blue oval brand launched a New Generation of his Ford Fiesta. This gives the model produced in Cologne an improvement on what was already good in itself, further highlighting its dynamic behavior, but, above all, achieving an interior that is the order of the day, both visually and in terms of technology and infotainment. For now, we anticipate that we liked it a lot. Join us to meet him.

Among other things, the new generation has changed its outside dimensions, making it slightly larger than its predecessor. In this way, we find ourselves with a body that measures Meters long 4,04 (+ 71 mm), by 1,73 wide (+ 12 mm) and 1,47 high. For its part, the battle grows only 4 mm, now standing at 2,49 meters; somewhat fair by today's standards, which will negatively affect the interior space; but before that, let's go with the outside

Conservative exterior design, losing the characteristic vertical pilots

The new model is still easily recognizable as a Ford Fiesta from a distance, especially from the front. The front part has not changed much compared to the previous generation, maintaining but modifying aspects such as the light optics or the main grille. Regarding the headlights, they use LED lighting for daytime running lights, but the projectors main can not be led not optionally. The grille continues to have that Aston Martin-type design that we like so much, varying in design depending on each finish. Of course, now it covers a larger surface.

La side view It hasn't changed too much either, although from its rear wing we can already intuit the replacement of the vertical pilots by another design in a horizontal layout. In the area of ​​the doors we have two strong power lines, an ascending one at half height that passes through the handles and another one in the lower area of ​​the doors. The rim designs are also new, being 17 inches in the tested unit.

And as we said, it is in the rear where more changes appear. Most striking is the new lighting placement. Before we had some pilots placed vertically and now they are located horizontally. To me, Personally, I liked the previous ones better., but I must admit that the new design provides greater visual width. And it is that the client must be convinced with the price, but mainly with the view.

A logical, elegant interior design with a very high quality screen

Leaving aside exterior and seeing its image interior, we find a tremendous leap in design level. The previous model was very outdated, with a small screen of dubious quality and a very high number of buttons distributed on the central plate that made handling the different functions unintuitive. Luckily, and as you can see in the images that accompany these letters, all this has changed.

Now, on top of the dashboard, there is a touch screen which varies in size depending on the versions, being 8 inches (optional) on the tested unit. Its handling is simple and the menus are well structured; while your touch is one of the best in the segment, if not the best. It has the advantage that, although it is not integrated with the line of the dashboard, it is in a position high enough so as not to take too much of the view from the road, although there are many people who prefer those integrated in the dashboard. Despite this -and fortunately-, the most basic functions continue to be performed through some logical physical buttons.

It is true that a good part of the materials are hard and somewhat rough, although we also find other softer ones in the upper part of the dashboard and in the door armrests. Although many elements are somewhat coarse, their settings are good and the sensation that the controls that we use the most, such as the satellites for the turn signals or simply the roulette wheel to modify the audio volume, transmit quality.

El instrument panel It has a design that is not a revolution, being little daring. But this means nothing in terms of practicality, since the information is displayed clearly. We have two main dials, for revolutions and speed, and a small screen that is easy to use and view that shows the typical information on consumption, autonomy or distance traveled, with two partial ones.

The front seats of the Ford Fiesta are correct, but the rear seats are very tight

All the front seats They do not differ too much from any other model in the B segment. Their space is correct, without more, for people of practically any size. The seat adjustments and the height and depth adjustment of the steering wheel help easily find a comfortable driving position. Of course, if we are too tall we will have to move the seat back and we may not leave enough legroom for the rear occupant.

The Ford Fiesta has not significantly increased its wheelbase, so the distance for the legs in the rear seats is one of its worst data. If four adults around 1,75 tall are traveling there will be no problem, but four taller people will compromise comfort on a long journey. the dimension of height for the head behind is somewhat fair, although this unit comes with the double sunroof that lowers the distance to the roof by several centimeters. As usual in this segment B, the Ford Fiesta it is also not recommended for trips with five people. Seen the passenger compartment, we go with the trunk.

A trunk in the segment average

We increasingly demand more interior space and more load capacity. The trunk of the five-door Ford Fiesta is 303 liters, being slightly lower in the three-door body and somewhat far from the latest additions to the segment, although it is approximately in the middle of the table. We have double height floor and a loading mouth that has grown slightly compared to its predecessor. The rear seats can be folded down in 60:40 proportions, thus obtaining a cargo volume of almost 1.000 liters with a practically flat floor.

Wide range of engines and finishes

The Ford Fiesta is available with four different finishes, which are Trend, Titanium, ST Line and Vignale. the finish trend is the access, with basic equipment. Meanwhile, the Titanium -which is the one we tested-, has sufficient equipment, qualities and appearance. For those seeking greater aesthetic sportiness without having to equip a high-performance and fuel-efficient engine, there is the STLine, a sports line that fits you like a glove. And finally we have the Vignale, which is much more luxurious and with better finishes. Coming soon a finish Active, with crossover aesthetics, and the sporty Ford Fiesta ST, which will develop 200 hp from its new 1.5 three-cylinder engine.

As for the engines, the new Fiesta is available with petrol and diesel engines. In gasoline we have a naturally aspirated 1.1 in 70 and 85 hp versions, while the rest use the 1.0 EcoBoost three-cylinder block with supercharging to yield powers of 100, 125 and 140 hp. The diesel range It consists of a 1.5 TDCi engine available in 85 and 120 hp versions. Of all these options, the only one available with automatic gearbox is the 1.0 hp 100 EcoBoost.

Engine 1.0 Ecoboost 125 hp

This version of the 1.0 EcoBoost three-cylinder develops 125 hp and 170 Nm of torque, and is associated with a 6-speed manual gearbox. As you already know, it uses turbocharging, direct injection and multiple solutions to contain fuel consumption. According to approved data, it conforms to a mixed 4,3 l/100 km; although in real life it will be something more. Among its benefits, we find a 0 to 100 km/h in 10 seconds and a maximum speed of 200 km/h.

dynamic behavior

And it's time to talk about the most interesting part of this utility. The Ford Fiesta has been characterized by its agile and dynamic behavior for many years. Is it maintained in this new generation? Of course yes. As we have said before, this unit is equipped with the 1.0 petrol engine with 125 hp, which develops a more than enough power for a model of this type, I would even go so far as to say that the 100 hp version of this same engine could be more logical, although we have not yet been able to test it.

But before starting it, we want to review the most important improvements that Ford claims to have introduced in this new model. A boat soon, the brand says that the new Fiesta offers a 10% more lateral grip. It seems like a fact without more, but it is of great importance. This has been achieved thanks to a new suspension setup, but also a wider track, which also helps to lower the center of gravity.

Nor can we ignore the 15% increase in torsional stiffness of the chassis or that, now, all versions with more than 100 CV use disc brakes on the rear axle, reducing the braking distance by no less than 8% at 100 km/h. To this we must add new silentblocks and absorbent elements that achieve a better behavior.

Now yes. With the remote in our pocket -because it has access and keyless start-, we approach the car, pull the handle and the door opens. We put on the belt, right foot on the brake, left on the clutch and finger on the starter button. The three-cylinder comes to life. The noise is very well resolved for being a segment B, although it is true that in certain situations we notice some slight propeller vibration; but nothing crazy. Without further ado, we put first and leave.

We travel our first kilometers by the city and, already in these bars, we appreciate the agility that I was talking about before. It moves like a fish in water between traffic and the most rattling streets, although it is true that we miss a larger surface of the exterior rear-view mirrors, which seem somewhat small to us.

La suspension is a bit stiffer than on most competitive models, but it achieves a great deal of compromise and, for me at least, it's not uncomfortable at any time - not even when passing the famous lying guards that abound in our cities. The direction also has a greater weight, but it will not be much less an impediment when maneuvering. For his part, the pedal feel clutch and brake is good and progressive, which always helps to dose and better control both slow maneuvers and braking.

Ready to go out onto the highway, a somewhat short acceleration lane arrives. We downshifted to see how it responds and, hardly having a lag appreciable, immediately go up laps when we go full throttle. And that the gear ratios are a bit long. The lever travels are not excessively long, but it is true that if they were a little shorter they would convey a greater sportiness. In any case, we remember that we are facing a totally normal version.

Once on the highway, we began to pay attention to details such as high speed poise or the good soundproofing of the whole. The new Ford Fiesta manages to transmit a high feeling of quality and safety, it seems that we are facing a larger model, as if we were driving a C-segment vehicle. This is something to note because, as we have said before, it does not offer one of the greatest battles in the category. As we mentioned, the soundproofing is very good and pleasantly suppresses rolling and aerodynamic noise.

As for the response of the engine, at no time do we miss more power or torque. It picks up speed relatively quickly and has no problem keeping up the pace in sixth gear even when facing a slope. In addition, the adaptive cruise control “reduces” our work. If you are wondering about consumption while traveling, normally we will be slightly below 5,5 l/100 km if our speed does not exceed legality, although it is also true that we have measured it with a single occupant.

La confidence and good touch transmits "has forced us" -blessed obligation- to look for a Mountain's Port. Not to go with the knife between his teeth, but to try to tickle her a bit and check her reactions. We begin to link curves and the gear ratio, as we have mentioned before, it seems a bit long, but it has the positive point that, together with the supercharging and good torque figure of the engine, the work does not accumulate when not having to constantly fiddle with the shifter.

We are tracing and, although the asphalt is not in perfect condition, if the speed is within morality we will not lose the trajectory. The Ford Fiesta treads well and maintains the direction we have marked with the steering wheel. A address which, by the way, we think precise and more direct than we expected, transmitting to our hands a little more information than usual in this type of car, something that is always very welcome. It should be noted that the feel, diameter and thickness of the steering wheel seem ideal to us.

We increase the pace and see that no noticeable body tilts appear Just like that. The car turns relatively flat and supports very few moments after having "steered". If in full turn we take our foot off the gas, the rear very slightly rounds the curve, but always with everything under control and without the slightest danger or sudden reaction. If we give gas, the system Electronic Torque Vectoring Control it helps to put the nose without the driver appreciating it. He doesn't choke on support changes either, showing us -once again- his remarkable agility.

Consumption Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost

Although, as usual, it is far from the homologation data, the Ford Fiesta tested, with the mechanical 1.0 of 125 hp, settles for little fuel. Our mixed consumption, over some 600 kilometers of testing, has been around always between 5 and 6 litres, ending at 5,7 according to the instrument panel. In the city we will be around 6 liters, while it is not difficult to lower it slightly from 5 on two-way roads as long as we are docile with the gas. As we said before, on the highway and at 120 we will be around 5,5 l/100 km.

Conclusions after testing the Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta makes a significant leap from its predecessor, especially in the interior design and ride quality. The only downside is that the space for the rear seats is quite fair, there are more spacious alternatives here behind. The capacity of the trunk is not its best virtue either, establishing itself more or less in the segment average but being quite far from direct rivals such as the Seat Ibiza (here is the proof of the new Ibiza), which has also recently presented a new generation.

Among its strengths We can highlight a remarkable safety equipment (although many systems and elements are optional), a fairly logical and intelligent interior design, a multitude of configuration options and, probably, the best chassis in terms of dynamism without sacrificing comfort; being very refined and suitable both for urban routes and when driving on expressways during long trips.

We do not forget your security assistants, which are not exactly few, and of all the equipment that can be incorporated. To be a model for the B segment there are many, although it is no less true that the vast majority of them are optional elements for which you have to pay extra money. The absence of main led lighting It has left us somewhat cold, since it is not even offered as an optional element.

Despite the fact that the Fiesta is not designed "to go on a stretch" -like the Ford Fiesta ST200 that we tested months ago-, the escape through a twisty stretch has made it clear to us that the Ford Fiesta does not shrink when dynamism is required, which which leads us to state that it is one of the best alternatives for those looking for a more sporty point in a normal utility, if not the best. Plus, you don't have to go crazy fast to enjoy the simple act of cornering. Of course, these sensations have left us wanting to fully explore the next 200 hp Ford Fiesta ST, with a 1.500 cc three-cylinder engine, which is about to arrive at dealerships.

Equipment Ford Fiesta

trend

• Air Conditioning
• two coasters
• illuminated glove box
• Adjustable steering column
• Central locking by remote control
• Radio with Bluetooth, 2 USB ports, 6 speakers and 4,2-inch screen
• Sync 1 voice control and connectivity system
• emergency assistant
• Body-color heated exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals
• Halogen headlights with daytime running light
• Body color bumpers
• 16-inch steel wheels

Trend+

• Add to the Trend equipment:
• One-touch front power windows
• rear parking sensors
• 6,5-inch multifunction color touch screen
• Sync III voice control and connectivity system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• cornering lights
• Automatic lighting of lights
• front fog lights

Titanium

• Add to Trend+:
• Center console with armrests and storage compartments
• Interior ambient light in LED
• Leather-wrapped gear knob and handbrake
• Driver's seat lumbar adjustment
• Exclusive front and rear floor mats
• Three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Titanium-Style Sport Seats
• Halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights
• led rear lights
• Exclusive Titanium chrome front grille
• 16-inch Titanium Design alloy wheels

ST Line

• Aluminum gear lever knob exclusive to this finish
• ST Line style sport seats
• Aluminum pedals
• Start button “Ford Power”
• Specific mats
• ST Line specific door sill
• ST Line exterior emblems
• Chrome finish exhaust pipe
• ST Line Exclusive Honeycomb Grille
• Sportier bumpers specific to this finish
• 17-inch ST Line design alloy wheels

Vignale

• Add to Titanium:
• Cruise control
• Automatic climate control
• Vignale Leather-Style Dashboard
• Exclusive gear lever knob in aluminum
• Partial leather upholstery
• Driver and passenger seat adjustments in four positions and lumbar adjustment
• Front and rear one-touch power windows and remote locking
• Keyless entry and start
• Luggage compartment floor adjustable in two heights
• Specific mats
• Dual tone horn
• Traffic Sign Recognition System
• 4,2-inch information display in the instrument cluster
• 8-inch multifunction touchscreen for infotainment
• bluetooth radio with 7 speakers
• Vignale specific door sill
• Exclusive front grill
• Vignale emblems on the exterior
• Specific front and rear bumpers
• 17-inch Vignale design alloy wheels

Ford Fiesta Prices

Editor's opinion

Ford Fiesta Image Gallery