The 2012 Ford Fiesta is considered to be one of the best affordable small cars on the market. It has ranked well across a multitude of reviews for a variety of reasons. It is considered to be a reliable, well-rounded small car that has a fairly comfortable interior and features some of the best performance in its class. Here is a quick review of the Ford Fiesta to give you a better idea of what to expect.
Overview of the Ford Fiesta
This car has been on the market very along with its first release being in 2010. Depending on which options you purchase, the MSRP ranges from around $13,000-$17,500. The invoice pricing tends to be between $500 and $1000 less. It received a four-star overall safety rating from the national Highway Traffic Safety Administration as well as a top safety award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Along with the safety features, many people consider it to be the best rating car in its class due to its power, handling, and fuel economy.
Top 3 Highlights of the Ford Fiesta
Power
One of the biggest highlights of the Ford Fiesta is the surprising amount of acceleration and power for a car of its size. With a 1.6 L four-cylinder engine it offers 120 hp. The standard set up as a five-speed manual transmission, although you can also upgrade to a six speed dual clutch automated manual. The feature that makes it unique is that the transmission uses two clutches to dial in the gears, which is a set up that is normally only found in luxury sports cars. Not only does it provide power, but it also maximizes fuel economy as well.
Quality of the Interior
Another surprising characteristic of this car is its high quality interior. Some people say that it may be one of the best interiors in its class and that the seats are extremely comfortable; this is sometimes a problem in small cars. If you don’t want anything fancy, the basic package provide you with the bare minimums, however there are a large number of upgrade options available so that you can make it as feature-rich as you want.
Safety
With the awards that it has garnered so far there is no question that it is one of the safest cars in its class. Historically, small cars have had a lot of safety concerns because they are never the larger vehicle in an accident. The Ford Fiesta has taken a number of steps to ensure that you are as safe as possible.
Potential Drawbacks of the Ford Fiesta
Cargo Space
If there is one glaring weakness of this car it is the lack of cargo space. While no one expects a ton of extra room in the car of this size, it still lags far behind a majority of its competitors. If you are looking for a fuel-efficient car for commuting, then this won’t be a problem. Unfortunately, if you often need to pile things in gear car then you might be better off looking elsewhere.
Seat Space
A related drawback is that the back seat is especially small, even considering its class. Plus, the seats don’t fold completely flat. This poor design not only makes it uncomfortable to sit in, but also plays a large role in its poor cargo space.
Overall
Overall, the Ford Fiesta is considered to be one of the best options in its class. It is competitively priced, extremely safe, and is one of the most powerful cars in its class. While there are some space limitations, most people looking for a car of this size realize that that is going to be a potential issue with anything that they choose.