Skip advert
Advertisement

Ford Fiesta Mk1 review

Decades on, the original Ford Fiesta supermini is still lots of fun

Ford wasn’t the first motor manufacturer to cotton on to the fact that small, front-wheel-drive family cars would be big business, but when the Fiesta broke cover in 1976, it sent a message to the industry that superminis were here to stay.

The Mk1 Fiesta was launched with a choice of six trim levels, including a van. Our early test model features Ford’s 52bhp 1.1-litre four-cylinder, which makes light work of the car’s 715kg kerbweight. Once the engine is warm and the choke fully home – something you don’t have to consider with the current fuel-injected Fiesta – you’d be surprised by the car’s performance. 

Officially, 0-60mph took 15.2 seconds, but the short gearing of Ford’s precise four-speed manual box means the car can still hold its own in modern traffic. It feels delicate to drive, too, with a lovely weight to the unassisted steering – although the set-up isn’t that precise. And with only four ratios, the engine is screaming at 70mph on the motorway. However, together with the interior, it’s all part of the retro charm. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Our Fiesta’s lime green paint and brown and cream cabin screams seventies, with an old-school radio and a cigarette lighter also highlighting the car’s age. Yet even in 1976, the Ford offered an involving driving experience with strong performance, plus sophisticated chassis technology that bucked the trend at the time by featuring coil-spring suspension all-round, where rivals opted for cheaper designs. Coupled with decent practicality and a stylish design, the Fiesta was a hit and set the template for the next 40 years.

Fiesta Fact: The Fiesta was just the third front-wheel-drive Ford, after the Europe-only Taunus and Brazilian Corcel. Codenamed Bobcat, the neatly packaged car won a 1978 Design Council award.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,915Avg. savings £2,241 off RRP*Used from £20,921
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,115 off RRP*Used from £14,295
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,549 off RRP*Used from £11,890
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,200Avg. savings £4,670 off RRP*Used from £16,745
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer
Volvo EM90 - front

New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer

Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it’s for China only
Road tests
16 Jun 2025
New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power
Peugeot E-208 GTi - reveal front

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power

Hot Peugeot E-208 gets racier styling, 276bhp and does 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds
News
13 Jun 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Kia Sportage at £255 per month can’t be anything but popular
Kia Sportage - side panning

Car Deal of the Day: Kia Sportage at £255 per month can’t be anything but popular

The Kia Sportage has earned its popularity over the years and deals like our Car Deal of the Day for June 14 won’t do it any harm at all.
News
14 Jun 2025