2019 Ford Fiesta review
The Fiesta was the lowest-priced new model in the Ford lineup, offered as a compact sedan or hatchback. While it may have lacked the standard driver aids of some of its rivals, the Fiesta was fun to drive with reasonable power and impressive handling. For those looking for something more entertaining, the top-level ST came with a sport-tuned suspension, available Recaro bucket seats, and a 197-horsepower turbocharged engine teamed with a six-speed manual gearbox. Whether you went sporty or basic, the Fiesta offered an intuitive infotainment system and a stylish cabin, although rear-seat passengers would find the space rather tight.
Explore the evolution of the Ford Fiesta
Get our expert take on used Ford Fiesta models, or view year-by-year changes.
First generation Ford Fiesta
When the Ford Fiesta arrived on American shores in 2011, it had already been on the market in Europe for several years. Slotting in below the Ford Focus, the Fiesta brought dynamic driving characteristics to a compact car market known more for economy than fun. The Fiesta was offered in sedan or hatchback form, both with reasonable interior space for a compact model, although rear-seat passengers would find it short on legroom. Inside was an upscale cabin, and in 2016, Ford updated the infotainment system with a much-improved SYNC® 3 system.
The Fiesta initially featured a fuel-efficient 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic, boasting an EPA-estimated 33 mpg combined.
While that engine provided adequate power, in 2014, Ford added the Fiesta ST to the lineup with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine putting out 197 horsepower. But for those who preferred efficiency over performance, 2014 also brought a new 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine rated as high as 41 mpg on the highway by the EPA.Model highlights
Fuel-efficient engines
Fun driving characteristics
Sedan or hatchback styles
Improved infotainment with SYNC® 3 (added in 2016)
High-performance ST trim (added in 2014)
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2011 - 2019
2019 Ford Fiesta
Highlights
Base S trim dropped
New ST Line trim added sporty styling to standard Fiesta
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2018 Ford Fiesta
Highlights
Rearview camera standard
New 4.2-inch display screen replaced 3.5-inch screen
1.0-liter engine discontinued
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2017 Ford Fiesta
2016 Ford Fiesta
Highlights
New available infotainment system incorporated SYNC® 3 interface
Remote keyless entry standard
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2015 Ford Fiesta
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Reliability
RepairPal gave the Ford Fiesta an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Ford Fiesta 15th out of 27 among Subcompact Cars.
RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Ford Fiesta is $438, compared to an average of $447 for Subcompact Cars and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
According to RepairPal, Ford Fiesta owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 1.0 times per year, compared to an average of 1.0 times for Subcompact Cars and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 11% for the Ford Fiesta, compared to an average of 11% for Subcompact Cars and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
Perry Stern has been writing about cars for almost 30 years and has been an enthusiast for much longer than that. Contributing to multiple automotive publications, Perry drives almost every new car on the market, ranging from base-level Kias to exotic high-performance Lamborghinis. But his favorite is still the 2006 Mazda Miata parked in his garage.
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Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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