Skip advert
Advertisement

Ford Fiesta diesel review

The new Ford Fiesta diesel range won't be as popular as the petrol options but the supermini's strengths are still evident

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Ford Fiesta
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The new Fiesta is bound to be another sales success, but the diesel options will account for just a small slice of the pie. Indeed, even Ford expects tiny demand because the 1.0-litre petrol options are cheaper to buy, more refined and suit the car’s character much better. That’s not to say that the 84bhp 1.5-litre TDCI is an afterthought; this is a well thought-out diesel supermini. It’s just that its strengths are as much on company car tax forms as they are on the road.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Britain’s best-selling car gets a big update and a new look in 2017 - and with more than 120,000 registrations in the past 12 months, the Ford Fiesta is a car that can deliver big sales figures even at the fringes of its line-up. The new generation Fiesta has the most expansive range yet, too.

While the trio of 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol powertrains are the headline act in the Fiesta, a couple of diesel options appear too. Ford doesn’t have lofty aspirations for either diesel powerplant, though, and expects petrol choices to dominate sales. In fact, the firm predicts diesels will account for just nine per cent of new Fiesta sales in the UK, with those having a heavy slant towards the fleet market.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Duster

2022 Dacia

Duster

15,700 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £13,223
View Duster
TT

2023 Audi

TT

32,947 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £19,897
View TT
Golf

2024 Volkswagen

Golf

27,295 milesAutomaticPetrol1.4L

Cash £18,697
View Golf
Model Y

2023 Tesla

Model Y

43,784 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £23,600
View Model Y

Best superminis to buy now

Both diesels make use of a revised version of Ford’s 1.5-litre TDCI motor, with a high-powered option boasting 118bhp and 270Nm of torque leading the pair. It’s not available just yet, though, so early diesel adopters will have to make do with the entry-level 84bhp version, which has 215Nm of torque. It replaces the 74bhp diesel found in the previous generation. That means a power bump of 10bhp and a heftier hike in torque of 30Nm.

With this engine on board, the most frugal Fiesta manages to crack 0-62mph in a claimed 12.5 seconds, with a top speed of 108mph. The motor is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, while both three-door and five-door bodystyles are offered.

Advertisement - Article continues below

On the road it doesn’t feel too sluggish. Though 84bhp means it’s a modest supermini in terms of outright performance, the 215Nm of torque is dished up with aplomb in the middle of the rev range, and its ability to pull itself out of trouble in third gear is impressive.

Diesel refinement was one of the old Fiesta TDCI’s trump cards, and it’s much the same story here. Naturally, working the engine hard will expose some rough edges and the decibels will climb, but for the most part engine noise is kept in check. Any of the petrols will make for a quieter companion overall, however, and for private buyers these cars are cheaper and more fun to drive. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

This new Fiesta recycles the Global-B platform put to use so effectively in the old model, so it’s well within a shout of being the supermini class leader in terms of driving dynamics. The trademark sharp steering and excellent body control are carried over, but the cabin you’ll experience it from is all-new.

The interior is the biggest improvement on this new Ford Fiesta, in fact, and it feels like a more spacious, grown-up place in which to sit. Material quality remains much the same, with plastics par for the supermini course, but the interior has a cleaner, less cluttered design, with switchgear that’s easier to use than before.

The tech highlight on all but entry-level models is a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the display can swell in size to 8.5 inches for an additional £300. The system it shows is slick and easy to use, and a big improvement on the cabin tech found on the old model.

In terms of fuel economy, Ford claims that this 84bhp powerplant manages 88.3 mpg on a combined run - but in truth, the fleet customers who opt for this engine will be more attracted by CO2 emissions of 82g/km. That figure brings a benefit-in-kind tax rate of 20 percent for 2017/18 - enough to keep the Fiesta in the mix with rivals on running costs for company car choosers.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £3,710 off RRP*Used from £14,750
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £12,295
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,921 off RRP*Used from £8,919
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £3,135 off RRP*
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

Used Skoda Fabia (Mk4, 2021-date) buyer’s guide: great value, comfy and spacious
Used Skoda Fabia - front

Used Skoda Fabia (Mk4, 2021-date) buyer’s guide: great value, comfy and spacious

Used car tests
22 May 2025
Cupra Leon review
Cupra Leon - front action

Cupra Leon review

In-depth reviews
10 Mar 2025
Used Vauxhall Astra (Mk8, 2022-date) buyer’s guide: popular hatch is more tempting than ever
Used Vauxhall Astra Mk8 - front

Used Vauxhall Astra (Mk8, 2022-date) buyer’s guide: popular hatch is more tempting than ever

Used car tests
7 Mar 2025

Most Popular

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production
Range Rover Sport SV Black - front

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production

There’s also a new SV Black trim, and a Range Rover Sport Stealth Package for non SVs
News
1 Jul 2025
Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model
Ferrari Amalfi - front static

Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model

A slick new look and more power are the headlines for Ferrari’s new baby, but it’s probably some simple new buttons that will get customers’ attention
News
1 Jul 2025
Geely is coming to the UK, and its assault will start with EX5 SUV
Geely EX5 - front

Geely is coming to the UK, and its assault will start with EX5 SUV

Geely has looked to Lotus to ensure it's new electric SUV lives up to our driving expectations
News
2 Jul 2025