Category: Superminis 
Price Range: No data available
Excellent interior space, practical, good safety features, good handling.
Most engines could do with more pep; hard seats, noisy diesel, excessive road noise on big wheels, one or two inconvenient features.
Sensible and fun to drive on the right road, but a bit dull; it also feels a little cheap and flimsy.
The Fiesta has long been one of Britain's favourite superminis and this re-engineered version has a vastly roomier cabin than the previous version's, up-to-date engines, competitive safety equipment and a modern interior. Like the previous Fiesta, its handling is also good, though it's not the sportiest car of this type any more.
There are three- and five-door body styles, plus a higher-roofed version known as the Fusion (reviewed separately). Engines in the current line-up are 74bhp 1.25, 79bhp 1.4 and 98 bhp 1.6 petrol units, as well as 67bhp 1.4 and 88bhp 1.6 TDCi turbodiesels. There's also the sporty 2.0-litre, 150bhp ST150 (see separate story for more on this).
Updates for 2006 have been minimal, with slightly redesigned bumpers, grille, headlights and taillights from November 2005. The Fiesta's interior was upgraded, however, with better-quality plastics and upholstery. A new multiplex wiring system has also allowed for a lot more kit: rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, sat nav and Bluetooth telecoms system are new options. There's also a new selection of bright paint colours and trim/upholstery combinations.
