Ford Fiesta review - Interior, design and technology

The new Ford Fiesta isn’t exactly a design revolution over the previous model, and that’s partly because the car uses the same Ford ‘Global B’ platform as before. That means lots of the unseen parts are the same, keeping the proportions broadly similar to before - and, therefore, the design. A familiar trapezoidal grille remains on the front, plus there’s a set of swept-back headlights and a rising shoulder line just like before.

Still, at the back there is quite a change, as the larger, more horizontal taillights and new tailgate give the rear a different stance on the road. The car is longer and wider than before, which helps with interior space, but it also means the new Ford supermini does have a new shape, even though it takes more than a glance to realise.

The bigger change to the Fiesta’s design is on the inside, though. There are fewer hard, scratchy plastics in there, replaced with soft-touch materials and a newer, more modern layout. A large, tablet-style touchscreen sits on top of the dash, just like in the Citroen C3 and Hyundai i20, with the heater controls placed lower down. It means the Fiesta is a far cry from the previous version covered in buttons and switches, and it feels more upmarket as a result. The SEAT Ibiza still wins for material quality and simple design, though.

Entry-level Trend cars feature 15-inch alloys as standard, plus air-conditioning, Bluetooth and a 8.0-inch touchscreen. The popular Titanium model adds rear parking sensors, keyless start and Ford’s Sync 3 software with sat-nav. 

The top-spec Vignale trim has been discontinued, as has the option pack of the same name that was available with Titanium, ST-Line and Active models. Track down a second-hand model and you'll benefit from 17 or 18-inch alloy wheels, premium Sensico synthetic leather seats and a 12.3-inch digital driver's display.

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Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

We think it's a shame that Ford hasn’t upgraded the Fiesta with the same large 10-inch touchscreen that’s now offered in the Focus, because it could’ve been a game-changer. However, the Fiesta would have needed a wholesale redesign of its dashboard to fit it, which was probably unfeasible within the time and budget constraints of the facelifted model.

Something else the Focus has benefited from is the addition of Sync 4, but the Fiesta makes do with the most recent version of Sync 3 on its eight-inch touchscreen. That’s no hardship, because the system has enough functionality built in to be useful, although it does look like an older system when compared with the setup in other rivals such as the Skoda Fabia.

The graphics are a bit harder to read, and the mapping isn’t the clearest we’ve seen, but the shortcut buttons across the screen are a useful touch.

If you don’t want to use Ford’s system, then Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, allowing you to access your smartphone’s functions quickly and easily.