Skip advert
Advertisement

Ford Fiesta Hatchback review (2002-2008)

The bargain-priced Fiesta ST is basic but hugely entertaining and very good value.

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
Price
£20,205 - £22,575
Find your Ford Fiesta
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

Driving
All the controls are nicely weighted - crucial for a hot hatch. The five-speed gearbox has a slick shift, the brakes offer decent bite and throttle response is sharp. The steering is also excellent, as the ST turns in quickly and darts towards the apex of a corner keenly. There's bags of front-end grip and the tightly controlled body provides the ST with an agility that reminds you of back-to-basics hot hatches of old. What's more, the chassis enables you to tighten your line mid-way through a corner - and this, combined with the communicative steering, makes the Fiesta very involving. The Ford also rides well. It's firm, but doesn't judder over imperfections. But while the 2.0-litre Duratec engine is the biggest in this sector, big isn't always best! It lacks character and, because it's not turbocharged, has to be worked very hard to generate performance. You need to use all the revs right up to the 7,000rpm red line, and under hard load the Fiesta becomes coarse and noisy. It lacks low-down punch and flexibility too, as proven during our in-gear acceleration times. It's also noisy at motorway speeds.

Marketplace
If there's one thing Ford has always been good at, it's building hot hatches. And due to the huge success of models such as the XR2, sporty Fiestas have always been among the most popular. The design reflects this, with sporty bumpers, side skirts and 17-inch wheels combining to give a sharp look. The front foglights and mesh grille are also trademark performance Ford cues. There's only one model in the line-up, and its price makes it something of a bargain for a junior hot hatch - especially as its 2.0-litre engine generates 148bhp. Rivals include the VW Polo GTI, Seat Ibiza FR and MINI Cooper.

Owning
The Fiesta's mid-life facelift brought a soft-touch upper dash - although if you look hard enough, the lower sections remain a bit on the brittle side. We like the standard leather-edged seats and the dash layout is clear and simple. The seating position isn't bad, either, but the driver's chair could do with being set lower and there's no steering wheel adjustment. That aside, there's little wrong with the Ford's cabin; it's basic, but leg and headroom is generous, and the boot a decent size. Ford's vast dealer network also means servicing is straightforward and inexpensive, even if intervals are a bit short at 12,500 miles. Retained values are excellent, but while the Ford's quoted economy figures aren't bad, in our hands it averaged just 25mpg. This is because the engine has to be worked so hard to keep up with rivals. The insurance rating is fair at 13, though.

Engines, performance and drive

0

MPG, CO2 and Running Costs

0

Interior, design and technology

0

Practicality, comfort and boot space

0

Reliability and Safety

0
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

Used Suzuki Swace (Mk1, 2020-date) buyer’s guide: a cheap and dependable estate car
Used Suzuki Swace - front

Used Suzuki Swace (Mk1, 2020-date) buyer’s guide: a cheap and dependable estate car

Used car tests
6 Nov 2024
Volkswagen Golf review
Volkswagen Golf - front

Volkswagen Golf review

In-depth reviews
6 Sep 2024

Most Popular

New cars that plummet in value can make brilliant used buys
Opinion - Vauxhall Corsa-e

New cars that plummet in value can make brilliant used buys

Editor Paul Barker takes a closer look at our 2024 Used Car Awards
Opinion
20 Nov 2024
A £10k electric car with a 100-mile range would surely be a sales success
Opinion - cheap EV

A £10k electric car with a 100-mile range would surely be a sales success

Mike Rutherford thinks there would be demand for an electric car with a modest 100-mile range if it only cost £10k
Opinion
17 Nov 2024
Best used cars to buy 2024
Best used cars 2024

Best used cars to buy 2024

From city cars to large SUVs, here’s our annual pick of the star performers that’ll save you thousands when you buy them used instead of new
Best cars & vans
20 Nov 2024