Ford Fiesta

Ford Fiesta Overview

It has been more than 10 years since the Ford Fiesta Mk 6 made its first debut in Malaysia back in 2010. Based on Ford’s global B-car platform, the sixth generation Ford fiesta is part of the company’s new ‘One Ford’ strategy to manufacture and sell a single common model globally to achieve efficiency and economies of scale. It won the heart of many with its chic and contemporary exterior design. In 2014, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) introduced the facelifted version featuring Ford’s award winning 1.0 litre EcoBoost engine.

The facelifted Ford Fiesta was offered in multiple body styles, including a 3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback and a 4-door sedan, although the 3-door hatchback is reserved exclusively for the performance version, the Ford Fiesta ST. The 5-door hatchback are available in the 1.5 L Fiesta Sport and the 1.0 L Fiesta EcoBoost trim, while the sedan was only available in the 1.5 L Fiesta Titanium trim.

SDAC has since dropped 1.5 L Fiesta Titanium sedan variant and the remaining hatchbacks are available in CBU form imported directly from neighboring Thailand. Starting from RM 83,401, the B-segment hatchbacks goes head-to-head with its rivals like the Mazda 2 hatchbacks, Honda Jazz, Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Polo and the Renault Clio.

The compact B-segment car has won multiple prestigious awards including the Autocar ASEAN car of the year award for compact car segment in 2014. It has also received numerous international accolades recognizing Ford’s achievement with the Ford Fiesta. It should not come as a surprise then that the Ford Fiesta has been one of the best-selling Ford models in the world especially in the UK where it has held the crown for the best-selling car in the past 12 years.

Ford Fiesta Design

The facelifted version features a rather controversial Aston Martin inspired front trapezoidal grille, resulted from Ford’s affiliation with Aston Martin at the time. The headlights are slightly contoured to accommodate the new grille, featuring an automatic twin chamber halogen reflector headlamp with optional daytime running light available only on the 1.0 L EcoBoost variant.

The front bumper is all new with redesigned fog light housing and body coloured body kit. Chrome trims are used more conservatively this time around compared to the pre-facelift model. Silhouette of the original Mk6 Ford Fiesta is retained with its signature short bonnet and long slopping A-pillar. Pronounced wheel arches gives the small hatchback a sporty stance with additional side skirt for the 1.0 L EcoBoost variant.

Both hatchback variants come fitted with 16-inch alloy rims with 195/50 tyres. The rear features a roof spoiler, a slightly redesigned taillight assembly as well as a redesigned lower bumper.

Ford Fiesta Dimension

Based on Ford’s Global B-car platform co-developed with Mazda Motor Company, the Ford Fiesta Mk 6 shares the same underpinnings as the second-generation Mazda 2 and are similar in terms of size.

Ford Fiesta Interior

The interior of the Ford Fiesta is approved to be anti-allergy, made only using materials that will pose minimum allergy risk. The layout of the cabin generally remains the same as per the pre-facelift model with a few minor improvements. The dashboard is still covered in the same squiggy plastics but now sporting a leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear knob as well as a partial leather/fabric seat.

Gloss piano black inserts replaces the old silver trims on the centre console, air vents, as well as the door handles, accented by chrome trim surrounds. The central stack-mounted monochrome display now displays in ice blue colour instead of orange. The same ice blue colour can also be found on the needles for the analog instrument panel.

Knee room and head room is adequate considering the compact size of the hatchback, though the backseats can be a touch too upright for comfort and fitting 3 adult abreast could prove to be a struggle. Shoe stowage under the front passenger seat makes good use of the limited interior space. Boot space available is 276 litres expandible to 974 litres with the seats down.

Ford Fiesta Features

The Ford Fiesta facelift features a monochromatic multi-info  centre display controlled using an old school Nokia style keypad on the centre console and connected to a 6-speaker audio system. New onboard is Ford SYNC with voice activation, an in-car connectivity system that connects mobile devices to the car wirelessly, with function such as text message read back.

Also available is Keyless Entry and Push Button Start, a single zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC) system which regulate cabin temperature consistency, auto headlamp with home safe lighting as well as rain sensing wiper. Smart Regenerative Charging system allows additional energy to be converted and stored in the battery during braking.

Ford Fiesta Driving Performance

Ford Fiesta Engine

Powering the EcoBoost variant is an award winning 1.0 Litre (998 cc to be exact) GTDI 3-cylinder turbocharged engine developing an impressive 125 PS at 6000 RPM and 170 NM of torque from 1400 RPM. The tiny cast-aluminium 1.0 L engine produces the same power you would expect from a conventional 1.6 L engine but uses 20 % less fuel while weighing significantly less.

Besides turbocharging, direct-injection and Ti-VCT technology, the EcoBoost engine contains a number of innovative efficiency solutions, such as an offset crankshaft that reduces friction and an advanced split cooling system that allows the cylinder block to warm up before the cylinder head amongst other innovative solution. It won the coveted International Engine of the Year award for six consecutive years from 2012 to 2017.

The 1.5 L Sport variant on the other hand is powered by a 1.5 litre Ti-VCT 4-cylinder engine, replacing the 1.6 L engine on the older model. It now produces 112 PS at 6300 RPM and 140 Nm of torque from 4400 RPM, down by 8 PS and 12 NM compared to the old engine. Though with lower kerb weight, the performance difference is noticeable especially in the low to mid-range acceleration.

Ford Fiesta Transmission

Power is sent to the front wheels via a PowerShift 6-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission with SelectShift. It promises convenience of an automatic transmission with the efficiency and performance of a manual transmission. SelectShift function allows manual override using a toggle switch on the gear lever.

However, the transmission fell short in terms of refinement, with noticeable jerking during stop-and-go traffic with hesitant gear shifts. Reliability has also proven to be an issue, prompting ford to extend its transmission warranty after numerous complaints globally.

Ford Fiesta Ride Comfort

Ford Fiesta is one of those small hatchbacks that rides and handles more maturely than its compact size suggests. Ford’s renowned ride and handling is superbly demonstrated here where the car deals with bumps and road imperfections with great sophistication while inspiring great confidence when tackling corners. With a MacPherson Strut up front and a torsion beam at the rear, the suspension system strikes a balance between handling and comfort.

While it rides a touch firmer than rivals like the Suzuki Swift and the Volkswagen Polo, it is by no means uncomfortable. There is definitely room for improvement in terms of NVH levels as road noise do translate into the cabin when travelling at speed.

Ford Fiesta Fuel Consumption

The 1.0 L EcoBoost engine boast a class leading fuel economy of 5.3L/100km while the 1.5 L Sport variant is only able to achieve 5.8L/100km.

Ford Fiesta Conclusion

The facelifted Ford Fiesta is a small yet very capable B-segment hatchback. It puts more expensive cars in the higher segment to shame in terms of ride and handling. The award winning 1.0 litre 3-cylinder turbocharged engine is unmatched in terms of performance to capacity ratio.

However, reliability issue plaguing the dual-clutch transmission has proven to be its biggest setback and the resale value indirectly took a plummet. And having been around since 2010, it is definitely lacking behind in terms of features compared to its closest rivals.

Perhaps the new seventh generation Ford Fiesta can provide an answer to all of its shortcomings. Unfortunately, due to low demand in Thailand and their decision to focus on the pick-up truck production, consequently the chances of the Ford Fiesta redeeming itself in Malaysia seems to be rather bleak