First, a quick reminder: This is the last weekend for the Los Angeles Auto Show, so if you're thinking of going... get on it!
One of the major reveals of the show was the North American version of the 2011 Ford Fiesta, including the sedan model. I got a chance to test drive the European-spec Fiesta, and my conclusion was that if Ford didn't make too many changes to the driving dynamics, it would be a winner. Well, turns out Ford feels the same way -- aside from different tires (Euro-spec Fiestas are sold with summer tires; US buyers get all-seasons), the suspension and steering tuning is exactly the same. Now, tires can really make or break a car's road manners, but the cars I saw had Kuhmo Solus KH-23 tires. Assuming that's one of the tire choices for the final product -- and assuming the KH-23 is a close relative of the Solus KH-16 fitted to the Ford Focus SES and Hyundai Accent SE -- I think we're in very good shape.
Of course, you can't sell a car in the US without an automatic transmission, and Ford has made a smart choice: They've developed a six-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission, similar to Volkswagen/Audi's DSG, which should wring plenty of power from the 119 hp 1.6 liter engine. Ford is predicting stellar EPA estimates for the automatic of 30 MPG city and 40 MPG highway, which easily bests all of the Fiesta's competitors.
Bottom line on the Fiesta: I think it's going to be a winner. Die-hard domestic buyers finally have a world-class subcompact car to buy (for now, their only choice remains the Chevrolet Aveo, which is hardly world-class). And for import buyers, the Fiesta has a serious advantage, particularly in terms of driver appeal. The Fiesta doesn't have the storage space or back-seat comfort of the Honda Fit, but it's as handy as cars like the Toyota Yaris and Scion xD.
Take a closer look at the North American-spec Fiesta in my 2011 Ford Fiesta photo gallery. Thoughts on the new Fiesta? Click the "comments" link below. -- Aaron Gold
Related:
- 2011 Ford Fiesta preview drive
- 2009 Honda Fit test drive
- 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 test drive
- Twin-clutch transmission: What it is, how it works
Photo © Ford
I drove a manual shift Euro-spec Fiesta at a Ford sponsored Ride & Drive event, and I agree. Ford has a winner here. While I like all the practical seating and cargo design BEHIND the driver’s seat in the Honda Fit, the business end IN the driver’s seat of the Fiesta is a lot more fun. Ford has surpassed Honda and Toyota in quality of materials, fit and finish. The Fiesta has moved to the top of my Compact Car list to replace my 2000 Civic in 2010.
Although I’m not a subcompact person, I hope that this car FINALLY comes into its own. The first Fiestas weren’t much. I’m not a big fan of the styling, but I guess that’s modern styling. I don’t like much of anything out there in the styling department.
I just hope they remeber that there still are those of us who would buy a smaller car if there was still some cargo room. In other words, hope they don’t forget the hatchback like they did with the Focus.
Wow…nice car….
Its really cool to see the small car market heating up with competition…we benefit from better transmissions, better suspensions, better interiors, better wheels, better options… It will be interesting to see Honda’s 2011 Civic and what its specs will reveal!
So I take back my hatchback comment… should have looked at the site first.
Anyway, the Fiesta appears to be superior even to a corvette in some ways… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLhnLJl4TZA
I can’t believe that Ford (a) left the suspension alone and (b) actually developed a dual-clutch automatic transmission. If the car has any kind of reliability (I am highly suspicious of transmissions from Ford), it should do well.
Aesthetics department: the center stack is one of the dumbest looking things I’ve seen since the front end of the new Mazda 3. Trimming it in aluminized plastic is akin to dressing a fat person in clothing with wide horizontal stripes.
I drove the Fiesta at the Phoenix car show a couple of weeks ago. I only got to drive it about a mile on city streets, but it seemed nice enough. The big disappointment for me was that they are not going to sell the 2-door hatchback model in the USA. I saw a photo of the 2-door on Ford’s UK site, and fell in love with it. I like the new Fiesta, but am not really excited about it.
I think it’s a little early to get all starry-eyed. Lets wait until people actually OWN and drive the car. Test drives and car shows are one thing, real life is another. Besides, the only reason the Fiesta can relax about the Accent SE hatch is because it’s a five-door, and the Hyundai is a 3-door. They may appeal to different drivers from the get-go. That said, the Accent SE fully-loaded is much cheaper than the Fiesta fully-loaded. Especially so after the $1,500 cash back from Hyundai. And Ford still cannot match the warranty. Personally I wouldn’t pay $19,000 for a subcompact hatch with a handful of nice amenities. Not a good value near can see.
I’m pleased that Ford is again offering a 5-door hatchback in the US, and one that apparently has a lot going for it. If reliability proves to be good, and the cargo room in the hatch decent, it would be my #1 choice if/when it comes time to replace my ‘01 Saturn SL2 or our ‘09 Scion xD.
Looks good.
I hope they bring the 2 door and produce an SVO version of it. Maybe have sponsor a spec racing class for it as well.
NO TDI
Other than that seems pretty nice.
I am very excited about this car! As more and more Americans move BACK into our cities there should be greater and greater demand for cars like this. How sweet would it be if American made cars become the leaders in the “urban pioneer” market?
Look out Honda Fit. This is a better looking hatch, better interior except for the center stack. If it handles better…oh, oh! Ford might have a real winner here. What’s the 0-60?
Another car designed by a cartoonist. What a crappy dash. Reminds me of those Astro Boy cartoons, pure corn.
Looks so-so to me. The front end seems to belong to a different car while the rest of the car’s body just does not feel like it belongs.