Let's start with the Fiesta's styling, which may be a bit far out by American standards, but looks great to me -- as I'm sure it will to the young buyers at which the Fiesta is aimed. I drove the five-door hatchback, but Ford plans to offer a four-door sedan for US buyers.
Inside, it's hard to believe this is a Ford -- the design is refreshingly unique and the materials are several grades nicer than what you'll find in a Focus or a Fusion. The front seats feel a little narrow -- Europeans don't eat like we do -- and while a 6'5" colleague raved about the head and legroom, something about the Fiesta felt a little claustrophobic to me. The back seat is comfy and has lots of headroom (tight on legroom, though) and the cargo bay is smartly shaped, though a bit small.
Second to the styling, the best thing about the Fiesta's is the way it drives. Automakers generally soften their cars' suspensions for the US market, but I'm hoping Ford will leave the Fiesta alone -- it's a great little handler, lots of fun to drive, and the ride is comfortable enough for American tastes. The Fiesta I drove had a 118 horsepower 1.6 liter engine with a 5-speed stick, which was pleasantly zippy, albeit a bit noisy and coarse. Hopefully Ford can certify this engine for US emissions rather than substituting something else.
Overall, I was really impressed with the Fiesta. Finally, we have an American-branded car that compares favorably against the Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, and even the pack leading Honda Fit -- it's not quite as roomy or versatile as the Honda, but it looks just as good and is even more satisfying to drive. Of course, the Fiesta will have to be modified for US sale, and I'm concerned that the essence of this car will get lost in translation. If Ford can Americanize the Fiesta without screwing it up, I think it's going to be a hit.
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