Ford Fiesta (2017 – present) | Expert Rating

Model reviewed: Fiesta Active range
Score: 7.9 / 10
“With the new Fiesta Active, Ford has done a good job of adding SUV style and raising the ride height without ruining the Fiesta’s handling.”
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Model reviewed: ST-Line and Vignale
Score: 8 / 10
“The new ST-Line and Vignale trim levels added to the Ford Fiesta range simply provide more choices on a model that remains just about the most complete package on the small car market, and worthy of its long-held best-seller status.”
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Score: 8.6 / 10
“The new Fiesta is definitely an improvement and still the class leader, but it’s no longer head and shoulders above the pack.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual ST-Line Vignale (facelift model)
Score: 8 / 10
“Ford’s revisions to the Fiesta are hardly revolutionary, but it doesn’t change the fact that it remains a strong contender. It’s the best car in its class to drive by some margin, and it’s better equipped than ever. However, the lack of a full-electric option – or even a full hybrid – might limit its appeal for buyers looking to lower their running costs as petrol prices rise.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift range)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Fiesta offers great value for money, and not just because it’s relatively cheap to buy. It’s comfortable, refined, practical and comes with plenty of standard kit, while the agile handling means it can easily put a smile on your face on the most mundane of journeys. With improvements made to cabin quality, infotainment and space, the Ford Fiesta is the best it’s ever been.”
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Model reviewed: Trend
Score: 8 / 10
“The Ford Fiesta Trend might be the new entry-level Fiesta, but that doesn’t mean it is short on fun and thrills.”
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Model reviewed: Fiesta Active range
Score: 8 / 10
“With a strong driving experience and trendy SUV styling, the Ford Fiesta Active has a lot to recommend it – but the standard car is cheaper.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Ford Fiesta needs very little introduction, being the UK’s best-selling car. That mantle didn’t happen by accident, either, because not only is the Fiesta one of the most popular small cars there is, it’s also one of the best.”
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Model reviewed: Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost MHEV ST-Line Vignale
Score: 9 / 10
“A winning formula hasn’t been altered in this round of changes for the Fiesta. Rivals may offer more space, more technology and a richer cabin, yet none of them can match the driving pleasure offered by the Fiesta.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol (mild hybrid) manual ST-Line X
Score: 8 / 10
“Battery boost brings small but meaningful economy gains to Ford’s stellar supermini.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“A car as uncommonly good to drive as this will never stray far from unqualified recommendation in this magazine but, for a modern supermini, it cannot be a golden ticket, either.”
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Model reviewed: Fiesta Active range
Score: 9 / 10
“The Fiesta Active is a simple idea, and how sensible it seems.”
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Model reviewed: 2020
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Ford Fiesta is all the supermini we’d wished for. It’s fun to drive, rewarding for enthusiasts and finally has a properly competitive infotainment system.”
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Model reviewed: Fiesta Active range
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s a road-biased car that isn’t going to win a Dakar rally, but if its styling is a winner for you then we reckon it’s still an option that’ll have to make your shortlist.”
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Score: 8 / 10
“This is a good-looking car, make no mistake.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual Trend
Score: 9 / 10
“If you’re wanting a supermini that’s great to drive and largely affordable, there is still no better option available than the Ford Fiesta. Even in low-spec guise, it handles better than just about everything its class, and is able to bring enjoyment, even despite its modest power output.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift range)
Score: 8.4 / 10
“A glance at the price list shows that the most lavishly equipped models are rather expensive, but when you realise the mid-range version has all the must-have features, Fiesta value-for-money looks good. And while economy, practicality and quality have all improved, the car’s fun-loving character has been kept intact.”
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Model reviewed: Fiesta Active range
Score: 8.8 / 10
“The Ford Fiesta Active adds hints of SUV style, strength and substance to the standard model without compromising comfort or driving fun”
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Model reviewed: Vignale
Score: 8 / 10
“The Fiesta Vignale version boasts the signature Vignale styling, with a unique front grille, chrome bodywork accents and matching alloy wheels giving it a standalone look when compared with the ‘lesser’ trims.”
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Model reviewed: Vignale range
Score: 6 / 10
“With a pleasing, upmarket interior and a great driving experience the Ford Fiesta Vignale sounds like a match made in heaven. However, cheaper Fiesta models are better value for money.”
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Model reviewed: Fiesta Active range
Score: 7 / 10
“The Ford Fiesta Active is designed for those who fancy a hint of off-road ability from their compact hatchback, but it’s more expensive than the standard car as a result.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Ford Fiesta is a small car that you’ll love driving. It’s cheap to buy and run, stylish to look at and available with lots of high-tech kit, although alternatives are roomier.”
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Model reviewed: MHEV ST-LINE X EDITION
“The Fiesta remains a good-looking and fine-handling car, and the mild hybrid has a small efficiency merit, but isn’t a significant or notable upgrade.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual Active B&O Play
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Ford Fiesta range is better for this new addition, and the Active could form a more important part of the Fiesta and Focus line-up as SUVs continue to grow.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol automatic Vignale
“The Vignale Fiesta has its touches of class and lifts the car far enough above the rest of the range to justify the price. But it’s up against some capable premium rivals, making it a tricky fight for the Ford, on both heart and mind grounds.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0litre petrol manual Titanium
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Ford Fiesta will continue to sit at the top of the supermini segment. The wider range of models and engines means there is an option for every fleet application.”
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Model reviewed: 1.1-litre petrol manual Zetec
“As good as the Ecoboost engines are, the cheaper model shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual 140hp ST-Line
“Plenty of strengths, including running costs, equipment offering and driving dynamics, but wind noise and interior quality aren’t the best.”
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Score: 8 / 10
“The new Ford Fiesta has grown up with improved refinement and updated interior tech yet still offers class-leading driving dynamics.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“Many cars get larger as they are replaced with a new generation, but Ford has resisted this with its current eighth incarnation of the Fiesta.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“With a huge range of trim levels, a good selection of engines, great driving dynamics and the latest safety technology, the Ford Fiesta does everything a small hatchback needs to do – and does it well.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Ford Fiesta is great to drive, regardless of spec. It’s the most entertaining supermini you can buy, thanks to sharp steering and a superb chassis. Ford isn’t the clear leader it was before, though. The Renault Clio is available as a full hybrid and is polished enough to take the crown as the best all-rounder, while the SEAT Ibiza is almost as good to drive.”
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Score: 9 / 10
“The reliable Ford Fiesta handles superbly and offers plenty of specs to choose from.”

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Model reviewed: Fiesta Active range
Score: 9 / 10
“Fiesta gets chunkier and funkier off-road look”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9.2 / 10
“Still the best small hatchback for keen drivers.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift range)
“Nothing drives as sweetly as a Fiesta for the money and the 1-litre mild hybrid reduces running costs.”
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Model reviewed: Fiesta Active X
“The Active X is still a regular Ford Fiesta – a downright superb car – but with enough tweaks to move it from supermini to crossover.”
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Model reviewed: Vignale
“Britain’s biggest-selling car, the humble Ford Fiesta, has been given a luxury makeover – but it doesn’t come cheap.”
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Model reviewed: ST-Line
“You probably didn’t need to read this review to know the new Fiesta is great — it’s a huge part of Britain’s street furniture for good reason. Remember – get the ST Line. It’s the best advice I’ve ever given on these pages.”
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Model reviewed: Fiesta Vignale
Score: 8 / 10
“Little Ford gets big-car luxuries… and price tag to match”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol (mild hybrid) manual Active X
Score: 8 / 10
“The obscure appeal of the supermini SUV remains a mystery, even after a drive in the likeable little Ford Fiesta Active. Likewise with the minor drivetrain flexibility benefits and tiny fuel economy gains from the mild hybrid system. Yet despite the ‘so-what’ aspects, the honed and taut appeal of Ford’s well made Fiesta remains.”
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Model reviewed: Fiesta Active range
“There’s no more room in it than a standard Ford Fiesta and it costs more, but I reckon the Active will prove a surprising – if slightly confusing – hit.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual ST-Line
Score: 10 / 10
“A grown-up take on a hooligan hot hatchback. The compromise between practical and fun is a pretty perfect one.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol (mild hybrid) manual ST-Line X
Score: 9 / 10
“The Ford Fiesta mild hybrid is stunningly good to drive, practical at everything else and now goes a little further on a tank. This one is not the gateway drug into electrified motoring you might expect, but it is the best everyday supermini on the planet.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Prettier, more able, refined, easy to use and with more rounded dynamics than before.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift range)
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s one of the very best small cars you can buy, but it can prove quite pricey in higher trims and the rival Volkswagen Polo just has the edge for ride comfort, safety and rear-seat space.”
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Model reviewed: Active range
“Why buy the Active over the regular Fiesta? Apart from reasons of style, there isn’t much, other than slight improvements to visibility and useability in slippery conditions. It costs more to buy and run, too – on the whole, we prefer the standard hatchback.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
“The seventh-generation Ford Fiesta is a very good all-round small car. It’s ideal for pottering around town and for longer jaunts, is great to drive, feels mature and offers impressive safety levels. It’s not quite perfect, though, thanks to limited rear passenger and boot space.”
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