Skip advert
Advertisement

Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec

All-new supermini has set a higher benchmark in the class

The Fiesta blends hot hatch agility with a superb ride. It’s great to drive at any speed, on any type of road. A well laid out cabin, smooth petrol engine and excellent refinement are the finishing touches.

 

Unquestionably, one of the finest new cars of 2008, the latest Ford Fiesta has taken road test victories in both three and five-door trim. We’ve driven it in 1.6-litre diesel and 1.4-litre petrol guises and have been impressed. So, is it as desirable in entry-level 1.25-litre petrol form?

Well, the choice of engine doesn’t affect the winning styling – the shapes and surfaces of the Fiesta’s body look great from every angle; the Hyundai appears dull in comparison. This sense of style continues inside, where the soft-touch dashboard is a step ahead of the i20’s.

If you look closely at materials in less obvious parts of the cabin you can still find hard plastics, but overall the Fiesta feels classy and well built. The prominent centre console dominates the interior, and while the large control panel won’t be to all tastes, the big buttons are logically laid out. The chunky heater knobs are just as easy to use. In the back, legroom is on a par with most class rivals, and the 295-litre boot grows to 975 litres with the chairs down. There’s no clever folding trickery, though – the seatbase is fixed, so the backs simply flop down on top. As a result, you don’t get a flat floor, and the Skoda has the Ford beaten for ultimate load capacity.

However, from behind the wheel the Fiesta is unrivalled. For starters, the driving position is excellent. All of the controls are perfectly placed and beautifully weighted. The steering, brakes, gearbox and clutch are all alive with feedback and feel wonderfully engineered. It’s this attention to detail that makes the Fiesta such an enjoyable car to drive on every type of road.

The steering is communicative, and even small movements result in accurate and responsive cornering, regardless of your speed. On top of that, the suspension manages to be both taut and compliant, so the Fiesta combines excellent body control and plenty of grip with a comfortable and relaxing ride. Few other cars on the road will put such a smile on your face – the Ford manages to be both fun and relaxing in one package.

Our only criticism of the Fiesta’s excellent chassis is the fact that electronic stability control is only offered as an option. And then, once fitted, it’s too intrusive when cornering and it can’t be turned off.

Thankfully, the 1.25-litre entry-level petrol engine does nothing to detract from the Fiesta’s desirability. It’s available in 59bhp and 81bhp forms, so it lacks the overtaking urge of more powerful models. But in-gear response is a match for the Hyundai’s and Skoda’s. The four-cylinder unit is refined, too, and this, combined with the excellent ride and decent noise insulation, makes the Ford the best choice for motorway driving.

With a £11,352 price tag, the Fiesta is the most expensive contender in this test – but its engineering quality runs deep.

The Fiesta blends hot hatch agility with a superb ride. It’s great to drive at any speed, on any type of road. A well laid out cabin, smooth petrol engine and excellent refinement are the finishing touches.

 

Details

 

Price: £11,352Model tested: Ford Fiesta 1.25 ZetecChart position: 1WHY: Undisputed class leader is tested in 1.25-litre petrol guise for first time here.

 

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,200Avg. savings £4,555 off RRP*Used from £14,900
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,568 off RRP*Used from £12,207
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £8,650
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,081 off RRP*Used from £9,800
* 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
New Citroen e-C4 2025 review: updated EV is more appealing than ever
Citroen e-C4 Max - front

New Citroen e-C4 2025 review: updated EV is more appealing than ever

Road tests
1 Apr 2025

Most Popular

It's only a matter of time before Jaguar Land Rover builds a factory in the USA
Opinion - Jaguar

It's only a matter of time before Jaguar Land Rover builds a factory in the USA

Mike Rutherford thinks Jaguar's 'Reimagine' strategy will result in the company exploring further opportunities in the USA
Opinion
25 May 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Seal the deal on this BYD electric saloon for just £289 a month
BYD Seal - front

Car Deal of the Day: Seal the deal on this BYD electric saloon for just £289 a month

The BYD Seal is a seriously tempting Tesla Model 3 rival, especially at this price. It’s our Deal of the Day for 26 May
News
26 May 2025
Electric car drivers won’t ever go back to petrol or diesel
Opinion - VW ID.7 GTX

Electric car drivers won’t ever go back to petrol or diesel

Editor Paul Barker thinks the EV transition is coming whether we like it or not
Opinion
28 May 2025