Skip advert
Advertisement

Ford Fiesta Mk7 review

The Ford Fiesta is still going strong – it’s not hard to see why this is Britain’s best-selling car

Ford Fiesta - front tracking
Overall Auto Express Rating

4.0 out of 5

Find your Ford Fiesta
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Customers got an average £1000 more vs part exchange quotes
Advertisement

The Ford Fiesta not only looks sharp but is the best supermini on sale when it comes to the driving experience. A range of punchy, economical engines, sporty styling, strong practicality and affordable prices mean there’s not much to dislike about the current Mk7 Fiesta range.

The Ford Fiesta Mk7 might have just been knocked off the top step of our supermini podium, but there’s still lots to like about the Blue Oval’s iconic compact hatchback.

Advertisement - Article continues below

With a range of engines stretching from Ford’s award winning 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo EcoBoost petrol engine to a high performance 1.6-litre turbo in the scorching Fiesta ST hot hatchback, there’s a Mk7 Fiesta model to cover almost every base. If you’re after an eco champion there’s also a very frugal Econetic diesel on offer that returns up to 85.6mpg and 85g/km CO2.

One thing that’s the same across the range is the Fiesta’s superb handling and chassis. Around town the ride is well controlled, with a soft edge to how it rides nasty bumps and potholes, but on faster country lanes it’s a riot to drive. The steering is precise and there’s a surprising amount of feedback on offer for an urban runaround.

Ford-Fiesta-rear-action

Refinement is still good, too, even in the older naturally aspirated 1.25-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines, while the 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrols – available in 79bhp, 99bhp or 123bhp depending on which version you go for – and the 1.6 TDCi diesel have smooth torque delivery which makes cruising relatively refined. However, bear in mind the only Fiesta that comes with a six-speed manual is the ST – all others get a five-speed unit as standard. Although you can go for a six-speed auto on selected engines. 

The ST is available as a three-door only, and comes with a styling kit that enhances the Fiesta’s already sporty look thanks to its narrow headlights, swept back lines and gently flared wheel arches.

Ford-Fiesta-interior

The rest of the range is also available in the five-door bodystyle, which adds extra practicality and doesn’t impact on the car’s rakish appearance. With a 276-litre boot, rising to 960 litres if you fold the rear seats down, the Ford might not boast as much luggage space as rivals like the Mazda 2 and VW Polo, but there’s enough room for most.

With a range of trim levels from the entry-level Studio model, including Style, Zetec, Zetec S, Titanium and the top-spec Titanium X with all the bells and whistles, equipment spec can be varied to suit your budget. If you’re after something a little bit different, there’s the pair of Red and Black Edition warm hatches that sit underneath the razor sharp Fiesta ST, too.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Sean’s been writing about cars since 2010, having worked for outlets as diverse as PistonHeads, MSN Cars, Which? Cars, Race Tech – a specialist motorsport publication – and most recently Auto Express and sister titles Carbuyer and DrivingElectric

Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

Vauxhall Astra review
Vauxhall Astra UK - front
In-depth reviews
20 Feb 2024

Vauxhall Astra review

Vauxhall Astra GSe PHEV long-term test: a troublesome start to life on our fleet
Vauxhall Astra GSE PHEV long termer - first report header
Long-term tests
15 Feb 2024

Vauxhall Astra GSe PHEV long-term test: a troublesome start to life on our fleet

Peugeot 408 review
Peugeot 408 PHEV - front tracking
In-depth reviews
31 Jan 2024

Peugeot 408 review

Most Popular

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars will now pay £10 more per year, although the biggest gas guzzlers fare even worse
28 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Car Deal of the Day: updated Skoda Enyaq at 0% APR and a free home wallbox charger thrown in
Skoda Enyaq iV - front cornering
News

Car Deal of the Day: updated Skoda Enyaq at 0% APR and a free home wallbox charger thrown in

Skoda’s family-friendly EV with 348-mile range is our Car Deal of the Day for 26 March
26 Mar 2024