The Ford Fiesta has been well accepted in the Indian market, and for good reason too. Unlike the oddly designed New Honda City and Hyundai Verna, this Ford’s proportionate yet conservative design pleased most of our owner reviewers and put none off. The renewed front design is striking, especially the headlights. However, the Fiestas could use bigger wheels; The 14-inch wheels (standard variants) seem awfully small for the large wheel arches. Build quality is typically European and solid, but long-term reviews show it has its gray areas in part quality and panel gap inconsistency. Our ownership reviews indicate that the interior is well put together and offers plenty of practicality, with proper ergonomics and plenty of storage spaces. A good number of parts come from the Mondeo/Fusion product bins. However, for a car of this price point, rear seat space is tight, while the seat back is too upright for comfort.
Ford offers two engine options in India: a 100 BHP 1.6 for the enthusiast and a super-efficient diesel. Owners claim both engines score high for refinement. The 1.6 is a scorcher and an absolute delight for keen drivers. Power delivery is smooth and linear, with the engine developing an addictive gritty tone at high revs. Its synchronization from 0 to 100 is among the fastest in the segment. Owners were pleased with its urban drivability and highway performance. Just as much praise came from Fiesta owners for the 68bhp 1.4-litre diesel which, with its high fuel efficiency and lack of turbo lag, made it the most popular choice. This engine is very fuel efficient and has adequate power for urban commuting. However, it does not have a good peak power and is more suitable for safe driving on the highway.
The 1.4 diesel gets winded during overtaking maneuvers and on ghat sections. Owners loved the fancy gearbox, but found the clutch to be a bit heavier than its Japanese and Korean competition. Our reviewers also applaud the ride quality that offers a comfortable ride on most types of roads. Even in bad sections, the cushioning is acceptably absorbent. Handling and direct steering are very driver-oriented, and the chassis exhibits excellent balance. Fiesta buyers enjoyed pushing the sedan through fast corners, with the high levels of grip and predictable manners on offer. Our reviewers unanimously agreed that the stopping ability needs improvement. It lacks feeling as well. The ABS option is a huge plus, and most owners opted for and recommended this upgrade.
In mid-2008 Ford launched the 1.6S, a sporty variant of the petrol Fiesta. The 1.6S is one of the few Indian sedans that is geared towards the enthusiast and is a lot of fun to drive. A racing blue color option, body skirts, beefy 15-inch 5-spoke alloys, 195 patch tires and a trunk spoiler give it an impressive profile. The seats come with extra bolsters and original double stitching, but they’re a little too soft for comfort on long drives. The engine runs in the same state of tune and produces 100 BHP. A stiffer suspension results in a better overall level of handling. Owners report that turns are sharper, grip levels are good, and body roll is better controlled. The other side of the coin to a firmer suspension is a stiffer ride. The 1.6 S is clearly harder on its occupants compared to standard variants, especially on rough sections of road.