Ford Fiesta Titanium review

28 Mar, 2014 4:15pm Lesley Harris

The top-spec Ford Fiesta Titanium is great to drive and comes with plenty of kit

Verdict

The Ford Fiesta Titanium family includes the Fiesta Titanium ECOnetic and the Fiesta Titanium X, and is Ford’s range-topping trim. Even the standard Fiesta Titanium doesn’t scrimp on goodies, with power-fold mirrors, puddle entry-lights, cruise control, climate control and DAB radio with ford SYNC all featuring. The Zetec trim might be a better bet though, as it's great value.

While the Ford Fiesta Titanium ECOnetic offers one of the lowest CO2 at 85g/km, the Titanium X comes loaded with equipment, such as heated partial leather seats and keyless entry with power start button.

Both the Titanium and Titanium X models are available with Ford’s excellent turbocharged 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol in either 99bhp and 123bhp guises . There’s also a 1.6-litre TDCI diesel that promises 85.6mpg economy when fitted to the super-green Fiesta Titanium ECOnetic.

The standard Titanium can also be had with the naturally aspirated 79bhp 1.0-litre EcoBoost and the sluggish 74bhp 1.5-litre TDCi diesel. Both three- and five-door options are offered, plus the choice of a five-speed manual or Ford’s six-speed Powershift twin-clutch automatic gearbox.

The Fiesta Titanium has always been brilliant to drive, and nothing has changed in that respect. What has changed is its head-turning kerb appeal. Its rakish profile and bold styling ensures that it remains one of the most stylish, efficient and refined cars in its class. And gadgets like the SYNC system and optional Active City Stop keep the Fiesta Titanium at the cutting edge of technology, and once again Ford has set a new benchmark for the rest of the class to follow.

Its smart five-bar chrome grille and slimmer headlamps - that incorporate the stylish LED strips - ensure the Fiesta Titanium looks bigger and wider. At the back, the distinctive light clusters add flair to the smart design.

Other signs of the Fiesta Titanium’s move upmarket are dotted about the cabin. Inside, you’ll find an attractive, neatly designed and logically laid-out dashboard. Quality is good, too, with decent fit and finish, plus plenty of soft-touch materials. However, some of the plastics used in the lower half of the cabin are a little hard and scratchy and aren’t quite up to the same standard as those in a VW Polo, but the gap is narrowing.

A gloss black ‘flow through’ insert joins together the dash and centre console, which adds to the plush interior. Redesigned door handles make the window switches easier to reach, plus there is an addition of a centre armrest. And there’s plenty of adjustment on the seat and steering wheel, so it’s easy for drivers to get comfortable.

The Fiesta Titanium also gets some cool gadgets too, including the SYNC Bluetooth streaming system that pairs to your mobile. Plus, there’s MyKey – a personalised key that allows owners to alter settings like the traction control and maximum speed, which is ideal for parents wanting to keep tabs on teenage drivers. And the Active City Stop autobrake system – optional - is also the first of its kind in this class.

The sleek Ford Fiesta is even better to drive than it is to look at. Poised handling and excellent refinement give the car a grown-up feel. It’s the sharp chassis that shines brightest where the Fiesta Titanium is concerned. The electrically assisted power-steering is beautifully weighted and direct, allowing you to place the agile Ford with pinpoint accuracy. Add in the strong grip, superb body control and slick gearshift, and the standard Fiesta is as fun to drive as many hot hatches.

Yet the really good news is that this nimble handling doesn’t come at the expense of comfort and refinement. Big bumps and potholes are smoothed out by the supple suspension, while the interior is well insulated from wind and road noise. Our favourite EcoBoost engine emits a characterful thrum when extended but even this small petrol unit is pleasantly smooth and quiet at other times.

Ford has also worked hard to improve safety, with the Fiesta Titanium now benefiting from seven airbags, stability control and hill-start assist. All this helped the car achieve a five-star Euro NCAP score.

Disqus - noscript

Submitted by Fadyady on Sun, 2014-03-30 10:46.

Four stars for Fiesta. Traditionally this car has been getting rave reviews and full five stars. Why am I getting the feeling that Autoexpress wants to take the class crown away from Fiesta and give it to a certain other car. I won't say which but not a hard guess for Autoexpress readers.

Submitted by CarGeek on Sun, 2014-03-30 13:23.

THE FACELIFTED POLO. Sorry, tourettes...

Submitted by Nicko on Sun, 2014-03-30 17:17.

Haha, that made me laugh!
:)

Submitted by Sam Naylor on Mon, 2014-03-31 09:44.

This is a review of the high-spec Titanium version, which we don't think is the best spec level to go for. Our review of the Zetec spec is coming soon, which is the best one to go for - so it will get the top rating.

Submitted by Nick on Mon, 2014-03-31 12:09.

Remember that the price of this is around £17k! The same reason it didn't win the Top Gear 'review' in Ukraine a few weeks ago - brilliant car but just too expensive.

Submitted by CarGeek on Mon, 2014-03-31 14:44.

Of course. But the mid-spec facelifted Polo SE 1.2TSI will 'depreciate slower' so will achieve full five stars and be class leader. Well, unless Ford outbids!

Submitted by BigChizz on Tue, 2014-04-01 13:39.

It's only anywhere near that expensive if you're a fool easily parted with their money.

I'd also ask what is wrong with paying a little extra for such brilliance? Especially when considering the two vehicles in that 'test' (actually no more than entertainment) it was up against, which are in a class below to that of the Fiesta.

Its also worth noting that the Fiesta was, yet again, the most popular car in the UK last year ... indicating that in reality it isn't as expensive to buy as some like to make out.

Submitted by BigChizz on Tue, 2014-04-01 13:41.

The best value is the Zetec S ... trust me, I'm in the leasing business and it's the model (with the 1.6TDCi) one of our staff has plumped for based on spec and leasing rate.

Submitted by BigChizz on Tue, 2014-04-01 13:43.

You do understand that depreciation is the difference between the 'price paid' and resale value as opposed to Full List Price and resale value don't you?

That's why the Fiesta is a better vehicle to lease than the Polo.

Submitted by BigChizz on Tue, 2014-04-01 13:49.

Why do people have a problem with the (alleged) price of the Fiesta? The same accusation hardly ever seems to be levelled at, for example, the inferior Audi A1.

It is simply no more than badge snobbery coming into play?

Submitted by jobyjoe on Tue, 2014-04-01 19:40.

Inferior? Hardly. Take a good look in the fiestas interior and you'll see which is really the inferior car. And perhaps selling in three years when the a1 is one of the slowest depreciating cars on the market, compared to the fiesta being one of the fastest.

Submitted by BigChizz on Wed, 2014-04-02 08:17.

Inferior in terms of ride, handling, performance and specification.

Now give us the deprecation figures.

Of course if you are a bit of a badge snob or have a vested interest you may find some of this a bit difficult to handle.

As a matter of interest I'd suggest you take a look at the Fiesta's interior. Having driven a number of the models recently (knowing this stuff is part of my job) I can confirm they are very decent indeed. Perfect? No. But then are any? By comparison the German brands, and Audi in particular, are spectactularly boring.

Now, give us those figures, but be careful because I have them too.

Submitted by Dave T on Wed, 2014-04-02 09:01.

I have a 63 Titanium Econetic 3 Door. It's one of the best cars I've ever owned. I really can't find anything to complain about (apart from it doesn't have keyless start or low washer bottle warning perhaps). And I'm getting (real world) 63MPG on my commute. You can stick your A1, Mini, Polo etc etc right where the sun don't shine

Submitted by CarGeek on Wed, 2014-04-02 15:51.

Aha, you Muppet. Tell AE that, not me! My point was based around the fact that AE often put more weighting on depreciation, even with the odd percentage point difference as an excuse for why they'll award e.g. the new Polo the best small car over the Fiesta.

Submitted by CarGeek on Wed, 2014-04-02 15:53.

In all seriousness, I'd be quite interested in a Fiesta 1.6 TDCi as it goes. What do they typically go for per month (Personal lease) in anything Zetec or above?

Submitted by BigChizz on Wed, 2014-04-02 15:54.

Is there any need for the childish name calling, just because someone misunderstood your point?

Particularly as we seem to be in agreement.

Submitted by CarGeek on Wed, 2014-04-02 16:00.

Have to agree. The A1 does have a higher quality cabin overall. But hey, it needs some redeeming features!

Submitted by CarGeek on Wed, 2014-04-02 16:02.

Your are so easy to upset! I never meant to offend!

Submitted by BigChizz on Wed, 2014-04-02 16:04.

A 1.6TDCi Zetec S 3dr inc. Met.Paint
Personal Contract Hire
3+35 £225 inc. Full Maint or £196 non-Maint.

A 1.0 125ps EcoBoost Zetec S 3dr inc. Met.Paint
3+35 £224 inc. Full Maint or £196 non-Maint

No other admin/doc fees.

These are based on 10k per annum. Maint includes Services, Mech Repair, ALL tyres, Recovery.