2011 Ford Fiesta Review from Consumer Reports

[joniappleseed]

Spot on review. I drive a 2011 Fiesta SE Sedan. It's not the seats that are small, it's the foot room.  The backs of the front seats have a cushioned indent for the knees but the bigger the foot the further up he front seat absolutley has to go. I love using the Microsoft Sync System.

I really like this car and got lucky got lucky to purchase it at 1 year old with 9700k mi. It's got dark tint for the windows and extra floor mats.

Camshaft positin sensor was making it jerky.

[zungaloca]

its nice but kia..overtakes

[tacoeatingzebra]

@phoenixbrown108 He's talking about the diesel. We don't get those in the states.

[ezzymo1024]

Man, these car journalists are really reaching. The rear seat head rests block the view? For the amount of time anyone will have people in the back seats, you remove the head rests and install as necessary.

[MrAndriy1982]

About a mont ago I was in Germany and I had a rental car ford fiesta with 1.6l TDI people it gets 62 mpg why don't we have them in US

[phoenixbrown108]

@MrAndriy1982 dude its a ford anerican made car they are all over us go to a dealership

[jfalco4]

oh noes. 18000 for the absolute top model of a brand new car that isnt the most bare thing in the world. im outraged......

[Martincooksley]

i been in one, the doors body metal showing on the inside did make it feel cheap, also i imagine if you touched them on a cold day it would be freezing.

[kmsrj2009]

I own a ford fiesta 2012 se...it looks to me they have the seats pushed all the way back. There's actually quite a bit of room in the back for seating. not the best but for a small car its great. the radio is a little confusing but once you learn it, it's easy. It is a bit pricey but everythings expencive today and with all the features you get on the fiesta like SYNC..it's worth getting over toyota and better quality then hyundai! The gas milage is the best! Only spend about $20 every 2 weeks!

[AllDayBby]

this is the worst review i've ever seen. This guy is fucking retarded.

[avlisk]

Hello, Ford. . it's called ergonomics. . .look it up.

[asutn]

Wow, look at this Ford Fiasco.

[nickman888]

DID ANYONE HEAR HIM SAY "HERE TO THE STEAKS @ 0:21?

[TIMTEBOWNER]

@nickman888 hahahahhah

[THEACDC1995]

i want a sedan im gonna make it look sick tho black tinited lights/windows turbo spoiler intake full exhaust rims maybe a chip most of all y i want one is no one has one yet and if i make it look sick and clean people will look and plus haters will get u famous so hate on brotha

[Feder147]

peace of shit ford cars xD, for 20k i can get a mercedes C class.

[jeffsandychelsea]

@Feder147 It's spelled "piece", and the C Class actually starts at $34,800. Retard.

[lodziana666]

@Feder147

yes a C CLASS. C Class doesn't get much respect buddy; talk to my father who has an E class Mercedes.

I'm not saying you need to show off but lets face it, people buy Mercedes so that they can show off. At least for me, I wouldn't be impressed...

[byounghusband]

I own a fiesta and you do not hear engine noise. It is super quiet.

[m1sterfan]

17K for 40mpg is not bad at all. If the size works for you that is

[davidjgmail]

The new Accent looks similar to the Fiesta but beats it in every way ...

[4cellar2door0]

@davidjgmail Every way except the "fun to drive" aspect, which is important to some people.

More horsepower in the Accent, true, but the steering wheel off-center is lazy, which some people like (NOT me) and the Fiesta corners much better at speed.

[SwPiotrek]

Fiesta is first or second best selling car in europe.

[ichbindich1]

I rode in one today. it doesnt have the flippy oh shit handles i had hoped for :(

[clutchshot44]

which car costs more??????

[ProfessorIgor]

@clutchshot44 the SES hatchback is around $20k, the SE Sedan is around $17.5k

[DJTEVAdotCOM]

Good reviews unlike other reviewers. You actually point out the bad stuff.

[lexusES350h]

So.. You make compromises to have a nicely designed, soft touch dash?.. :S

[GearHead3232]

oh god no! an un-damped glove box lol

[EmperorOfMars]

Guys just watch Top Gear's review of the for Fiesta.

[royaltytimothy]

Its a fun car to drive trust me and pretty neat for not being a honda lol. Subscribe 2 me royaltimothy

[jeffly1500]

The european version is much and much better looking !!!

[pastfinderfrank]

I know a Fiesta can take part in a beach assault (thanks Top Gear), but a Honda Fit? They can't promise me that level of combat performance.

[TheHornyHomunculus]

Whats the point in a "sedan" fiesta? 

[califa213239]

@TheHornyHomunculus to show you that it could be worse :)

[TheCoolfez]

Uhhh has anyone checked out the tranny problem that the Fiesta has?

just google Fiesta Transmission problem. I was really wanting to buy this car but saw the review. I would beware!

[nashville1510]

question .

at the end he says you could buy a larger car.

well does that mean that you could buy a fully loaded fiesta for the price of

a larger car that isn't fully loaded ?

is that what he means?

[sashmardesigns1]

Its a small car you asshole!!!..Your review makes no sense.

[joshuatree1001]

Just get a Mazda 3 or a Focus. Mazda will be getting 33% increase in fuel mileage for 2012, and the Civic and Focus are doing 39 hwy, and all for around 16-18k. That's what a Fit was going to cost me and i said no thanks. $20k for a fit, keep it i told them, rather buy something bigger for $1-2k more.

[mikestr69]

"you can get a much larger car for that money" ??? NOT IF I WANT A SMALL CAR! Duuhh...

[jonathankundinger]

could you go any slower in that thing lol

[89Carfreak]

The sedan is not sold overhere in europe...just saying.

[TheBoogie24seven]

This dude is the automotive industries worst nightmare. He can make you or break you.

[mrutuberxy]

Ford makes the most idiotic cars i've seen, most of their models have hard plastics, black dingy interiors, crappy design, absolutely non luxurious.. seats as hard as park benches and a build quality that feels like a tin can. Where they excel is the most unnecessary parts, engine and steering/handling.. now granted all u sports enthusiasts crave for it, but a car is incomplete without the luxury + space. GM is the same, so is VW/Toyota/Honda.. although slightly better in luxury. Hyundai \m/

[Breezy034]

@mrutuberxy The engine is an unnecessary part? Keep your soft plastic, I'll take my car that runs....

[76carmel]

The Fiesta's drawbacks -- lack of rear seat room. Also, some reviewers complain about the dual-clutch automatic.

[enemay]

That's why you get a Fit. Fun to drive, great visibility, excellent control positioning, very roomy;even more spacious than some compact sedans.

[88soulsurvivor]

Nice car but for 18k I'd dish out another 2 grand and get a base mid sized Fusion.

[jdomes]

Is it green?

Yess

[Timsalt3100]

I am not sure if this person is Just a complete idiot or just another person that will rip a car apart just because of a few problems. infact this is one of the most liked cars in europe and the uk it is a great car to learn in (which i am in the 6 speed automatic)

and this is not slow to stop I am being instructed on emergency stops at the moment you can slam your foot on the brake and it will stop virtually dead with a tidy slide at the back but totally controlled with ABS.

[Intelpentium54321]

I wonder how visibility is compared to my old civic.

[Vega4381]

i agree that guy is an idiot

[gehli003]

fully loaded for 19k is expensive? what planet is he living on? Sure you can get a bland, base corolla for 15k, but this is higher quality inside and out. The primary competitor is the elantra. Which IS a more basic mode of transportation, though I think the front end is more attractive.

[kaydosaurus]

Why do americans always call manual a stick shift? Don't they relise how retarded they sound? Isn't an automatic also a stick?

[Dumblikeyoutu]

@kaydosaurus

Do you realize how to spell the word realize correctly, and that you've misspelled it so poorly in a sentence that was referring to Americans as retarded? The irony.

Even if you follow British standards and spelled it with an "s", realise, you've still misspelled it so poorly that one could only surmise the fact that you, yourself, are truly the retard.

[eurohim]

@kaydosaurus You might as well ask why Americans call it a hood instead of a bonnet or a trunk instead of a boot. Maybe we can ask why you call a cigarette a fag? It doesn't matter, it is just slang.

[Quipstiley]

The 1.8 liter motor in our 2011 Fiesta is wayyy more peppy than the 1.8 liter I had in my '95 Eclipse. The Fiesta handles well and has a lot of cool features. I'm leasing mine for $200 a month with all the options.

I have no problem reaching anything in the front and the seats are fine for me at 5'10" tall. I do agree that with our car seat in the back it is cramped and I have to be careful when I take my kid out so I don't bump her head on the low door frame in the back.

[GoWfan86]

We have a 2011 S Sedan with the 5-speed manual. Very nice car.

This review's not that great. Unless you sit in a car seat like a saddle, why would the cup holder in the door stick into your leg? I have no problem reaching the radio controls, and I don't know how this guy can say the back seats are cramped. I'm ~6'1", and I have EXACTLY the same amount of headroom and about identical legroom in the back of the Fiesta as I had in our old 2009 Civic, a car that is size class above the Fiesta!

[GrubGripe]

@GoWfan86 Does the S Sedan come with cruise control?

[appleinfl]

@GrubGripe No. The SE model offers it with the sport package and the SEL/SES has it standard.

[jpusar]

@GoWfan86 I think he's saying that in comparison to the rest of the competition. The Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Kia Soul, and Nissan Versa ('11 or '12 sedan) are all bigger inside than the Fiesta. The Fiesta is actually the exact same interior dimensions as my old '01 Focus. Its just that all these cars have gotten bigger inside without expanding outside (the benefit of better engineering and engines...they're really cramming lots of smarts in these cars nowadays).

[m1am1can3sfan]

i have the '11 SE sedan, and i couldn't be happier. i believe i spent around $15,900, and considering i got the Sync, automatic windows and doors, and ~40mpg highway, there's really nothing to complain about.

[SuperNegro421]

Badass car I'm deff getting one when I'm 16

[allenorgan27]

go buy a dodge caliber if you want a decent car

[jpusar]

@allenorgan27 ....really?

[AlexanderRozhenko]

Consumer Reports sucks. For starters, they called the Fiesta slow. "On the other hand, 8.7 seconds to 60 mph is near the leading edge for cars in this class, and 38 mpg while cruising at 80 or so mph is ditto." -Car and Driver.

[mrsmartin01]

Why the hell is this guy telling people to buy "bigger" cars? Ass.

[allenorgan27]

@mrsmartin01

bigger cars are safer and provide more room to have the kids/grandkids in the back all while keeping them safe

[ProfessorIgor]

@allenorgan27 I agree, pay for the bigger car and I will gladly buy one. I got my Fiesta for $17,100... a Fusion with the same equipment was $23k..

[leexcore1]

CUP HOWDER

[skinnysponge]

Well you could either pay $18,000 and get this car well equipped with all of its nice features or you could pay $1,000 more like he said and get an unequipped family sedan. It seems the only thing better about the latter decision would be more room.

[thecordova928]

@skinnysponge Completely agree with you on this one. Not every cars about the size of the vehicle. Content is far more important. As long as its reasonably comfortable, size doesn't matter.

[Skye606]

( at the video) ((after it ended)) ....Ooooor you can stop bitching and go get a BIGGER CAR.. the Fiesta wasnt DESIGNED to be Perfect, its something Smaller for people who WANTED something Smaller to drive.. Personally, you forgot the fact of the 7 Airbags' (including One for your Knees : Driver) , the SAFETY Levels, And its A CITY Car. =_=

[Macgarnickle]

@Skye606 It's a review not a commercial for Ford he kind of has to point out problems with it, by your own admission it's not perfect.

[Xiber1]

go for Nissan Versa, best quality, cheap price under 10 grand, excellent fuel economy

[thecordova928]

@Xiber1 Gas mileage on the old one sucks when compared with the competition. The new Versa will hopefully deal with that flaw.

[jpusar]

@Xiber1 You mean low quality plastics built by underpaid laborers for a nonexistent $11k model that has a whopping 2 speakers, "regular" (as opposed to "Upgraded") cloth seats, and no trunk light, and really is $15k since they're only making SV CVT's? 15k Fiesta>>>>>>>> 15k Versa...unless you REALLY need Power Windows THAT badly.

[eurohim]

@jpusar Underpaid by whose standards? Yours? Should everyone contact you before taking a job?

[somewhatlongdong]

If you're a person who does a lot of commuting, the Fiesta seems like a really good choice. I'll be more harsh than the reviewer, the rear seat are as close to useless as you can get!

[pandemic7]

side cup holders never hit me, dash is a bit away though, and the back window is small. he did get those two things right, but he forgot to mention something...awesome fuel economy and sync!! you'd think he'd mention that more on this review. They're seriously awesome selling points that make the decrease in space worth it. overall I'm very happy with my fiesta.

[applesmnch2]

Looks nice but it's too cramped for me, ford focus though is a great car

[BOWENSblog]

take the read head rest thats all!

[maizegod]

THANK YOU...Someone finally mentioned the annoying rear headrests. This was my first complaint after driving the hatch home. Simply remove them and store them at home.

[thecordova928]

@maizegod Other reviewers don't seem to talk about visibility and other real world annoyances like consumer reports does. I'm glad someone is doing that. Makes reviews more helpful rather than sale pitches.

[zagabel]

I don't think this is biased. I like the car, it looks sleek but it's cramped, and not so cheap for a sub-compact class that seems to have gotten a lot of things wrong. I wanted to buy a Ford Fiesta when I saw the ads but quickly changed my mind after I went and test drove it.

[lasphenogi]

That was tremendously opinionated and biased.

[tarkin321]

@lasphenogi Agreed . A lot of car reviewers like to suck up to Ford - dunno why . ( Let's not talk about corporate conspiracy theories )

[benwilliam5]

This is a helpful review. I'd like to see more information about cargo space. 

[davidhalifax]

I have to agree with most of the bad things such as the complicated radio controls, the central door locks, the rear seat room is not really usable ... it's width is the same as cars from 5 years ago, so this car isn't narrow at all, the people just got bigger that's all ... but the Fiesta can use a longer wheelbase for the rear legroom ... I like how it drives and handles, enough power for city driving.

[BawlZINmotion]

As the owner of a 2011 Fiesta SES with over 11,000km on it, I could make quite a few arguements against this review. However I'll simply say that knowing which doors are locked is pointless seeing as pulling on any of the door levers will actually unlock said door automatically. Regardless of whether the car is in motion or not.

[12ozar]

GET A BETTER REVIEWER, REALLY BAD VOICE

[XXXCompAssesXXX]

Why do Nintendo players do car reviews?

[mpmavi]

cuanto es el consumo de combustible???

[kabutomx]

@mpmavi 30 mpg en ciudad y 40 en highway

[diggingforgold]

I test drove the car. I was impressed with the handling, quality, quietness, styling, and features. But this review got it right- my right leg was smashed against the dashboard center console. I'm really happy I test drove the car, but it just didn't fit me.

[vicmackey1268]

The review is good when positive things are being said but all the negative comments for this car border on insanity. Small rear legroom? Really, go figure, I woulda thought a SUBcompact would have enough room to dance around in..

Plastic door handles and a cheapy glove box? I'd take soft touch push button start heated seats voice recognition over a Fit's hinged glove box any day.

only neg...the rear seats don't fold flat, A must for this segment..with the Fit's 60cubic feet win that.

[vicmackey1268]

I don't really see the point of all the fuss around large colorful nav systems...sure they're ok for people that never bought a TomTom or Garmin but other people have smartphones.. i would argue that people are worse drivers when they have nav systems on than when they're on the phone. Give me a voice recog and a basic screen any day over something like the Fit which requires that you buy a large annoying, sometimes innaccurate nav system just to get stability assist which should come standard.

[jpusar]

@vicmackey1268 Its not just that: they're just silly and overpriced. All preinstalled nav systems are garbage for some reason (even ones BMW's, actually especially). A $100 Tomtom with unlimited map downloads functions far better than a $5000 nav system. Plus it doesn't play movies that will eventually lead to a horrific accident.

Another useless thing: CD and SYNC. With an AuX jack, all you need is either

1) cheap $20 2gb music player that shuffles

or

2) an iPod with a playlist that shuffles.

[ActionBastard85]

The host is kinda a sniveling twit.

[40markava]

Slow? ok if you want fast get the Mustang

[flatblackstrat]

I starting to think CR has it out for Ford. They bashed the MyFordTouch system because it was "complicated".....

[vicmackey1268]

This is one of the worst reviews ever...voice activated SYNC standard, 16 inch alloys, power everything, interior illumination, traction control, stability assist/control, break assist, even an auto-correction if the car senses bumps so the wheel doesn't jerk around, 6 speed automatic, every user says they get over 40mpg, soft touch in 90% of the inside in a SUB-FRIGGIN-COMPACT...why bother reviewing space for adults in the backseat?...its a damn sub-compact! I'm 6'1" and in every seat it rocks

[halflife103]

This guy isn't a bad Reviewer compared to a lot others, ESPECIALLY compared to Zack Spencer.

[samsacre]

This car is still cheesy!! Save some money and get a Toyota Yaris!!

Looks like an English ford !! ford still has some catching up to do!

[Rock112207]

@samsacre

Are you serious !!! A Toyota Yaris ?!?!? The Toyota Yaris is one of the most dangerous cars on the market today !!! The Fiesta recieved a perfect crash rating by the "New" safety standards which includes roof safety. And I agree with Teo5151, this guy is an idiot. Consumer Reports always uses this guy on all ford models and he usually HATES Ford !!! Like his ignorant comment about "The silly protruding cup holder of the left." That should tell you everything you need to know.

[flatblackstrat]

@samsacre The Yaris is a POS compared to this, everybody knows that. The Yaris is actually the worst sub compact on the market right now, well it will be when the Sonic comes out.

[vicmackey1268]

@samsacre

it is an English Ford....the fiesta looked like this in Europe for years....

The Yaris looks are personal opinion but the center mounted spedometer, small wheels, less mpg, and cheap feel plastics everywhere, especially on the dash mean you have to look down and away from the road, you get more road noise, harsher ride, have to fill up more, and in cold the plastic contracts and you heard creaks and squeeks all the time, not to mention a lot of rattling.

[jpusar]

@samsacre It is an English Ford. The Focus is also an English Ford. Was originally released there in 1998. So is the Escort in the 80's.

:/

[AmericanWarHero]

Its obvious this guy is stupid.

[Intechdude300]

Wow this guy really is A++L about the lock button. Many European cars come like that. BMW does it, Mercedes does it & mercedes at 1 time didn't even use lock buttons. It's actually a perfect place & reduces clutter on the door. U know how many times friends, family and etc hit the lock button in a car when they mean to open the window?

[teo5151]

this review SUCKS!

mostly because of that idiot

[Toni7859]

@teo5151 - agreed... he is peculiar indeed. Cuts off words before he is through talking and actions are sometimes, well- strange.

[divadriver]

@teo5151 I rented this car (automatic) a few weeks ago on a business trip. I thought everything he said was true except for the car being too slow and being jerky in the parking lot. I didn't notice the engine strain at all. He was absolutely right about seeing through the rear window, it was really hard.

[dagrome]

The long term durability of the materials inside is very questionable. The door handles feel like you can snap them off accidentally. Also I hear many people have been having problems with the transmission breaking in under 10000 miles (There will probably be an announced recall soon). This is partly due to the fact that Ford decided to go with a new transmission for us Americans, instead of keeping the European one.

[mehiael]

Looks like a Mazda 2. I mean, i dont blame it if Ford and Mazda are like together.

[flatblackstrat]

@mehiael Same platform, but they look very different when compared side by side. Mazda is done with Ford though.

[DF1099999]

I await the Chevy Spark.

[hms888]

Honda fit looks and drives better

[paulyt23]

The guy's a dick. He said the back seat is tight - well duh, it's a subcompact your fracking idiot.

[inoregon]

@paulyt23 But the Fiesta rear seat is small even by the standards of the sub compact class.

[archangel76106]

looks likek plastic crap

[xoquixxoqafxo]

If Ford matched the Honda Fit for space and cargo capacity and versatility they would have a Fit killer on their hands. But really all the Fiesta offers over the Fit is a smooth quiet ride and cabin. Fit is still as fun to drive but has that huge cargo area and feels much roomier inside. I think since most Americans value space the most, it will keep them going back to the Fit, not to mention the Fiesta's nearly $20,000 price tag will no doubt scare them away as well.

[Yardjass]

@xoquixxoqafxo

Well, I'm not going to the Fit and I am an American. The Fit is a waste IMHO because the Civic a better car and is somehow more efficient. The Fit's 33 mpg highway is a far cry from the Fiesta's 40 too. For a sub-compact I would buy the Ford any day but I would still take the Civic over the Focus.

[flatblackstrat]

@Yardjass The Fit gets over 40MPG in real world testing. Most Hondas are like that for some reason, they always out perform their EPA estimates.

[crammage]

i wish subaru would bring back the justy or something like that

[kennyt1230]

I don't care for what you get for the price. It actually was more expensive than a Mazda 3 and slighly cheaper than a Mazda 6

It's the novelty right now but looking at this video, the novelty would wear off fast.

[Aspireonthego]

@kennyt1230 no it isn't more expensive than a mazda3, fiesta starts at $12,999 and mazda3 starts at $15,995. And why would you even think it's only SLIGHTLY cheaper than a Mazda6, Mazda6 starts at $23,195, for your information that's over $10,000 difference.

[kelikelvin]

@kennyt1230 why does everyone look at the price of the fiesta and go nuts...

relative to all the other cars the fiesta is by no means much more expensive than the competitors. Load up the fiesta to the very very brim with moon roof and everything, it's around 21,000. load the mazda 3 to the brim WITHOUT nav, and it's around 24,000. load a mazda 6 to the brim without nav and it's around 27,000. PLUS, no one asked you to load the fiesta up in the first place, get a low trim one for 17,000.

[Aspireonthego]

@kennyt1230 the fiesta is not more expensive than the mazda3, fiesta starts at $12,999 and mazda3 starts at $15,995. The mazda6 on the other hand starts at $23,195. The Mazda6 is a good $10,000 more than the fiesta.

[LTF85199]

Ford is really catching up with the competition.. 

[Intechdude300]

@LTF85199

They are now the competition.

[ActionBastard85]

@LTF85199 Fords surpassed the competition.

[efadaei]

@LTF85199 yeah right! Take a look at Hyundai Elantra, Sonata, Genesis etc. and then see if Ford is really catching up. I got a fucking heated front and rear seats on my cheap Elantra, with 7" HD Navigation, bluetooth, ipod/USB port and even a steptronic transmission system.

[helorm341]

@efadaei Your elantra with heated rear leather seats and navigation costs nearly 24,000 with destination. It's at a totally different price point. The elantra is a nice car and I would even consider the limited model which gets to nearly 21k base.... but with the premium package it gets a little out of hand.

[ActionBastard85]

@LTF85199 They've surpassed it.

[MuskratandRatman]

@LTF85199

Ford has always had great fuel cars. BUT!!! Americans are ignorant to not realize that they want cars designed by Germans

[alphaswimmer55]

@LTF85199 Slight correction, Ford USA is really catching up to the competition, Ford Europe (which until recently has been completely separate) is caught up with the competition and has been for quite a while. So yes now that Ford USA is getting Ford Europe's cars over here like the Fiesta and the new Focus, they are catching up to the competition.

[rememberztime]

@LTF85199 Yes, the competition for the year 2005-2007.

[CDTbossy]

looks like a small green berry...