Read the full 4Car Road Test
Road Test: Ford Fiesta (1999-2002)Road Test: Ford Fiesta (1999-2002)
2002 Top Ten position
All UK car sales: 5
Fleet car sales: 9
Supermini
Introduced: 2002
Bodystyles: Three- and five-door hatchback, plus high-rise Fusion mini-estate (not discussed here)
Price band: £8,495-£11,195
NCAP crash test rating: 4
The Fiesta is...
an all-new model, launched in 2002, which has moved the supermini benchmark up a notch or two. Roomy enough for a small family, it has a very well laid-out, user-friendly cabin and is comfortable and practical. The range also features the same excellent 1.4-litre diesel engine as the Peugeot 206, though there is no sporty petrol version as yet. However, a warm ST150 version arrives late 2004, with a hot RS on the cards for 2005. Better-built and more refined than ever before, the Fiesta - the original mainstream supermini, now in its 26th year - goes from strength to strength.
For
Spacious cabin, easy to drive and own, fun to drive, all-round convenience.
Against
Not much choice in the range yet, no cheap 1.0/1.1 entry-level model, petrol engines not that quick, mini-Focus styling a bit dull, standard specifications not that generous.
Sum-up
A great little all-rounder that could suit all the family - we can't wait to drive the rest of the range
Engines, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions
Petrol:1.3 (68bhp): 45.6mpg, 147g/km
1.4 (80bhp): 44.1mpg, 153g/km
1.6 (100bhp): 42.8mpg, 157g/km
Diesels:1.4 TDCi diesel (68bhp): 64.2mpg, 117g/km
Spec rundown
Entry-level specification is Finesse (1.3 or 1.4 TDCi engines) which gets you power steering, driver and passenger airbags, central locking, a split-folding rear seat - and a CD player. LX specification adds electric mirrors, and Zetec models have alloy wheels. Ghia models have all the above plus ABS anti-lock brakes (optional on others), air conditioning and an alarm. There isn't the option to spec a Fiesta right up with satellite navigation, leather seats and all the trimmings yet, should anyone want to.
Market info
This generation of Fiesta should be as popular as its predecessors, so there should be a few more around at the independent retailers and car supermarkets later this year. At the moment, it's so new that buying from a franchised dealer - or importing - is the only way to get one, and there aren't any bargains as yet. However, Ford has been selling Finesse models at a £500 discount this winter, bringing the entry-level price down to £7,995. Keep an eye open for more promotions and special offers once the novelty of the all-new model has worn off. This model should hold its value well, at least until the market gets swamped in a couple of years' time.
