First Drive: Ford Fiesta

by Joanne Ahern • March 27, 2013 • Car Reviews, First Drives

2013 Ford Fiesta exterior front right static

The new Ford Fiesta is available in three trim levels and costs from €15,550

The Ford Fiesta is Europe’s best selling small car and with the arrival of the new model, which had its Irish launch in Co Kildare this week, it’s plain to see that this is a title Ford is willing to fight for.

Three trim levels of the new Ford Fiesta are available in Ireland – Fiesta, Fiesta Zetec and Fiesta Titanium.

We got to take the top of the range Ford Fiesta Titanium for a quick spin around the Kildare countryside.

The five-door Ford Fiesta is a really tidy little car. It looks stylish and youthful and like it might be fun to drive. And it is.

Our test car was fitted with a 1.0-litre 100ps Ecoboost petrol engine. This basically gives it the economy of a 1.0-litre engine, but the power of a larger one.

This engine suited this car, giving it a peppy drive with good acceleration. Gear changes through the five-speed manual gearbox were smooth and it handled nicely on the road. I’m looking forward to driving on a wider variety of roads in a longer test drive.

The cabin in the new Ford Fiesta is quite spacious

I also found the cabin to be quite roomy, with good legroom both back and front. The new Ford Fiesta also has a nice sized boot.

Body coloured bumpers, daytime running lights, electric front windows and USB/Aux connectivity are standard on the new Ford Fiesta, with manual air conditioning, ambient lighting and a perimeter alarm standard on the Titanium trim.

The Fiesta is also the first European model to carry Ford’s MyKey technology, which allows the key to be programmed specifically for young or in experienced drivers.

It allows maximum speeds to be set as well as limiting the audio volume. Watch the MyKey video.

The voice-activated connectivity system Ford SYNC is also available, as is fender-bender prevention system, Active City Stop.

Ford Ireland managing director, Eddie Murphy said: ‘Fiesta has been one of Ireland’s best-loved small cars and, packed as it is with truly cutting edge technology, this new version is sure to win over a new generation of fans.

‘We are sure that the combination of its stylish new looks and all round value for money will ensure that new Fiesta remains top of the pile in the affections of Irish motorists.’

The new Ford Fiesta is available now in a range of petrol and diesel engines, with manual or automatic transmission. Both three-door and five-door models are available.

Prices start from €15,550, with the top of the range manual Titanium model I was driving costing from €19,330.

The new Ford Kuga SUV was also launched in Ireland this week. Nine diesel variants are available in two trim levels, with manual or automatic transmission. Prices for the new Ford Kuga start from €33,450.

Visit the Ford Ireland website for further details.