Ford Fiesta 2013-2017 review - Mat Watson
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Date: 2022-04-11
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Comments and reviews: 10
MrFlazz99
Having bought a (used) 2014 model Econetic, I'd agree with the comment about the relatively firm ride (especially having owned Renaults previously, but disagree with the comments about the boot space (it's smaller than most competitors) and the driving position (I'm accustomed to a higher seat position, but when I jack the seat up then the view forwards is obstructed by the low top edge of the windscreen. Not only that, but because the seat cushion is very thin and mounted very low, there is no decent resting for the right leg unless the seat is moved a long way backwards, which means that the gear stick is a long way away (and it almost annihilates the rear legroom) - and I'm barely six feet tall. Also the rearward view is terrible - the combination of tinted glass, odd-shaped door mirrors and the B-pillar position in my 5-door model makes for not only claustrophobia but also a hideous blind spot (I have had to train myself to physically turn my head and peer round the B-pillar because passing cars literally disappear otherwise. Lastly, why NO room to rest the cluch foot? Honestly, that's a shocking deficiency in what is always touted as a great driver's car. It's not only a lack of space in the footwell, but also the clutch pedal crank is offset to the left, thereby unnecessarily taking up space to the left of the pedal. I never thought I'd say it, but I miss my Renault Clio which had a clutch foot rest, decent leg support and better stowage space in the cabin. The Fiesta is a mess by comparison. I bought it for the theroretical economy potential, but it won't give me better than 67mpg and that's scant improvement on my (more powerful, more tractable, altogether more usable) Clio.
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Having bought a (used) 2014 model Econetic, I'd agree with the comment about the relatively firm ride (especially having owned Renaults previously, but disagree with the comments about the boot space (it's smaller than most competitors) and the driving position (I'm accustomed to a higher seat position, but when I jack the seat up then the view forwards is obstructed by the low top edge of the windscreen. Not only that, but because the seat cushion is very thin and mounted very low, there is no decent resting for the right leg unless the seat is moved a long way backwards, which means that the gear stick is a long way away (and it almost annihilates the rear legroom) - and I'm barely six feet tall. Also the rearward view is terrible - the combination of tinted glass, odd-shaped door mirrors and the B-pillar position in my 5-door model makes for not only claustrophobia but also a hideous blind spot (I have had to train myself to physically turn my head and peer round the B-pillar because passing cars literally disappear otherwise. Lastly, why NO room to rest the cluch foot? Honestly, that's a shocking deficiency in what is always touted as a great driver's car. It's not only a lack of space in the footwell, but also the clutch pedal crank is offset to the left, thereby unnecessarily taking up space to the left of the pedal. I never thought I'd say it, but I miss my Renault Clio which had a clutch foot rest, decent leg support and better stowage space in the cabin. The Fiesta is a mess by comparison. I bought it for the theroretical economy potential, but it won't give me better than 67mpg and that's scant improvement on my (more powerful, more tractable, altogether more usable) Clio.
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Goodchappy
I had a 1. 6 Fiesta Titanium for 4 years, I loved driving it, I had no problems at all then bought a
1litre 125bhp Titanium, I loved driving it once I got used to the tall gears. I now have a 1 litre red/black edition 140 bhp and really love driving it, the engine just wants to keep accelerating to the red line but I would agree the infotainment system is a mess and the sat nav is confusing to use compared to the Tom Tom I have. I think Ford put too much into the technical side of things that nobody will use, like -My key- and the voice recognition which is pointless. I don't like the fact the rear seats don't go flat and rear leg room
is not good. It seems expensive for what you get but in my opinion despite its age, it is the best looking car on the road and is great to drive. I would buy another one but only if I got a few thousand off the price. If the Japanese manufacturers could design a good looking car, I'd probably buy one, but I think they are all ugly.
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I had a 1. 6 Fiesta Titanium for 4 years, I loved driving it, I had no problems at all then bought a
1litre 125bhp Titanium, I loved driving it once I got used to the tall gears. I now have a 1 litre red/black edition 140 bhp and really love driving it, the engine just wants to keep accelerating to the red line but I would agree the infotainment system is a mess and the sat nav is confusing to use compared to the Tom Tom I have. I think Ford put too much into the technical side of things that nobody will use, like -My key- and the voice recognition which is pointless. I don't like the fact the rear seats don't go flat and rear leg room
is not good. It seems expensive for what you get but in my opinion despite its age, it is the best looking car on the road and is great to drive. I would buy another one but only if I got a few thousand off the price. If the Japanese manufacturers could design a good looking car, I'd probably buy one, but I think they are all ugly.
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Jack
i personally don't like reports that start off with a biased tinge, he speaks about the Polo? I currently see a girl who owns a Polo and I could tell you, it has more hard plastic than the Fiesta. The interior is a bit more spartan than the Fiesta but in a good way. Most of these so called reviewers have sold out to the in their opinion more premium brands. Snubby attitude all round, which is at odds with reality- most people buy the Fiesta because unlike the fully paid up biased reviewers, they've got a brain for themselves and know, value for money when they see it.
Finally, if you are to knock a particular car about its practicality and space compared to its rivals, then do the decent thing and do with all of them going through the same tests. Most of its, rivals have already been refreshed the new Fiesta is due in 2018. P. S. I owned the exact same 3 Fiestas that he said he did.
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i personally don't like reports that start off with a biased tinge, he speaks about the Polo? I currently see a girl who owns a Polo and I could tell you, it has more hard plastic than the Fiesta. The interior is a bit more spartan than the Fiesta but in a good way. Most of these so called reviewers have sold out to the in their opinion more premium brands. Snubby attitude all round, which is at odds with reality- most people buy the Fiesta because unlike the fully paid up biased reviewers, they've got a brain for themselves and know, value for money when they see it.
Finally, if you are to knock a particular car about its practicality and space compared to its rivals, then do the decent thing and do with all of them going through the same tests. Most of its, rivals have already been refreshed the new Fiesta is due in 2018. P. S. I owned the exact same 3 Fiestas that he said he did.
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Theodore
I agree with Mat, it drives great but the rest of it is not so good.
The boot is really low, the back feels tiny even in the 5-door (I'm 6 foot tall, the dash design is not nice at all and the infotainment is crap. Even if you upgrade to Titanium you're not getting your money's worth. There is no reversing camera, the gps is mediocre but expensive and sync 2 isn't very good either.
Also, in the 1. 0 l turbo I test drove, it seemed like the 2nd gear was a mile away from 3rd. Did anyone else notice it?
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I agree with Mat, it drives great but the rest of it is not so good.
The boot is really low, the back feels tiny even in the 5-door (I'm 6 foot tall, the dash design is not nice at all and the infotainment is crap. Even if you upgrade to Titanium you're not getting your money's worth. There is no reversing camera, the gps is mediocre but expensive and sync 2 isn't very good either.
Also, in the 1. 0 l turbo I test drove, it seemed like the 2nd gear was a mile away from 3rd. Did anyone else notice it?
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Fluffy
Not bad on the outside but that interior they used in similar forms in all their ford models from that era are bloody disgusting. The Nokia phone layout is cluttered and dated and the infotainment (if you can even call it that) is woefully poor and dated. Still they drive pretty well, are economical and handle pretty decently. My issue is if I'm sitting in and looking at an interior I'd like it to be useful, pleasant and exciting to look.
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Not bad on the outside but that interior they used in similar forms in all their ford models from that era are bloody disgusting. The Nokia phone layout is cluttered and dated and the infotainment (if you can even call it that) is woefully poor and dated. Still they drive pretty well, are economical and handle pretty decently. My issue is if I'm sitting in and looking at an interior I'd like it to be useful, pleasant and exciting to look.
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haitch04
The Fiesta always scores top marks in most reviews so it's refreshing to see carwow expose it's flaws. The interior lets it down badly for me having a fiddly dash and tight rear space. The boot is ordinary and the general styling of the car is beginning to look dated. I feel sure the pages of glossy ads Ford buys from the magazines is the reason their cars are marked so highly?
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The Fiesta always scores top marks in most reviews so it's refreshing to see carwow expose it's flaws. The interior lets it down badly for me having a fiddly dash and tight rear space. The boot is ordinary and the general styling of the car is beginning to look dated. I feel sure the pages of glossy ads Ford buys from the magazines is the reason their cars are marked so highly?
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fenderman21guitar
I own the 2014 fiesta which appears very similar inside and out, great car to drive however comparing the audio and phone system to other cars makes me see how poor it really is, even my wifes toyota aygo blows it away for simplicity and functionality.
If ford sorted this out id probably buy a mondeo next, as it stands i think the skoda superb is my way forward.
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I own the 2014 fiesta which appears very similar inside and out, great car to drive however comparing the audio and phone system to other cars makes me see how poor it really is, even my wifes toyota aygo blows it away for simplicity and functionality.
If ford sorted this out id probably buy a mondeo next, as it stands i think the skoda superb is my way forward.
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Kit
One major flaw to this car is the headlights, the beam could just be a bit higher, nothing more scary driving dark country roads and not being able to see that little bit further, put on full beam I hear you say, I do just can't have it on when cars are coming towards me and my lights are still not great. Thought Ford would have sorted this design flaw
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One major flaw to this car is the headlights, the beam could just be a bit higher, nothing more scary driving dark country roads and not being able to see that little bit further, put on full beam I hear you say, I do just can't have it on when cars are coming towards me and my lights are still not great. Thought Ford would have sorted this design flaw
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Gaz
Very useful as I'm wanting one of these soon I think the Ecoboost is just amazing for what it is and to get an ST line I mean it's all good yeah there are some bad bits but they things you can live with easily and not only that it will hold its value but all round very good video good information
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Very useful as I'm wanting one of these soon I think the Ecoboost is just amazing for what it is and to get an ST line I mean it's all good yeah there are some bad bits but they things you can live with easily and not only that it will hold its value but all round very good video good information
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James
Pretty negative review about practicality etc. Fiesta interior has not been updated since launch, comparing with modern alternatives is frankly ridiculous when the replacement launches imminently. normally a fan of Mat but this is a pretty inconsiderate review!
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Pretty negative review about practicality etc. Fiesta interior has not been updated since launch, comparing with modern alternatives is frankly ridiculous when the replacement launches imminently. normally a fan of Mat but this is a pretty inconsiderate review!
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