Ford Fiesta (2017-2023) review - Reliability and safety
New hi-tech kit means the Ford Fiesta scores well for safety
The Ford Fiesta ranked 68th out of 75 cars in our 2021 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, with the Blue Oval's iconic supermini moving up just one place to 67th overall in 2022's poll. With eight of the top ten places going to more spacious SUVs or crossover-style cars, along with models featuring all-electric or plug-in hybrid power in their lineups, it highlights the trend of buyers looking towards alternatives to the more traditional route of fossil-fuelled superminis and hatchbacks - something which has led to the Fiesta range being discontinued from mid-2023.
Those lining up a Fiesta purchase will be pleased to know that the range does include new hi-tech safety gear such as cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking. This extra kit helped the Fiesta achieve a full five-star rating from Euro NCAP, scoring 87 per cent for adult occupant safety and 84 per cent for child occupant protection.
The 2022 facelift added further safety tech, including Wrong Way Alert', which is a camera-based system that works with the car's sat-nav technology to warn the driver if they are travelling against oncoming traffic. Matrix LED headlights can be ordered as an optional extra for all models, with the exception of the entry-level Trend, while the new Rear Occupant Alert system helps the driver avoid leaving pets or children in the rear seats.
Warranty
As with all Ford cars in Britain, the Fiesta has a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty as standard. It covers anything the goes wrong with the car mechanically - and you get coverage for corrosion and paint defects as well.
Three years is an industry standard, so the Fiesta is competitive, but the Hyundai i20 and Toyota Yaris have five-year warranties as standard, and the Kia Rio has seven years.
Servicing
Servicing your Fiesta is pretty straightforward - it’s once a year and you can pay around £550 for maintenance over the first three years from Ford. There are dealers all over Britain and lots of experienced mechanics too, so finding somewhere nearby to do it won’t ever be a problem.
