SES 5dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 120 hp 6AM)
SES 5dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 120 hp 6AM)
SES 5dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 120 hp 6AM)
SES 5dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 120 hp 6AM)
SES 5dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 120 hp 6AM)
SES 5dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 120 hp 6AM)
SES 5dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 120 hp 6AM)
SES 5dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 120 hp 6AM)
The Ford Fiesta is a delightful little car that was denied to American shores till 2011. The fact is that the automotive market in America had not been open about small cars till very recently.
The Ford Fiesta is a delightful little car that was denied to American shores till 2011. The fact is that the automotive market in America had not been open about small cars till very recently. Ford themselves managed to sell a small car packed with excellent handling and potent powertrains in many countries abroad but never in their own homeland.
The 2013 Ford Fiesta sedan is available in three trim levels - S, SE, and Titanium. The hatchback is expected to receive a higher performance variant in the form of an ST trim. Prices start at MSRP $13,200 for the S trim and go all the way up to $17,200 for the Titanium trim.
All variants are powered by the same engine and gearbox. The base variant has features like 15-inch steel wheels, power locks and mirrors, air-conditioning, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, a four-speaker sound system with an auxiliary audio jack, and so on. One can see that it is pretty bare-bones but features improve as you go up the trim levels in one can even say that the Titanium trim level is very well loaded.
Trims |
S |
SE |
Titanium |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP (RWD) |
$13,200 |
$15,200 |
$17,200 |
Key Features |
15-inch steel wheels |
Adds or replaces features of “S” |
Adds or replaces features of “SE” |
|
Power locks and mirrors |
15-inch alloy wheels |
16-inch Alloy wheels |
|
Remote keyless entry |
Automatic headlights |
Body-colored handles and mirrors |
|
Height adjustable driver seat |
Cruise control |
Cloth upholstery and carpeting |
|
Six speaker sound system with CD player and USB port |
Trip computer |
Rearview camera and parking sensors |
|
Bluetooth, voice controls |
Front center console with armrest |
Leather upholstery and heated front seats |
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Although the Titanium trim still comes at a very affordable price, the SE trim promises the most value for money and is apparently the one that is sold the most. The SE is also eligible for a lot of optional packages including the SFE package which has various aerodynamic improvements, and special tires to help the Fiesta achieve excellent fuel economy. The SE also has the Moon and Mood package, SE appearance package, and so on alongside standalone options.
All Fiestas come with a 1.6 L four-cylinder that produces 120 hp and 112-pound feet of torque. This is also mated to a five-speed manual transmission while a six-speed automated manual transmission is available as an option. Although the numbers make it sound quite modest, the Ford Fiesta is actually a good performer due to its excellent handling and driving dynamics. This is the reason why it scores almost similar 0 to 60 mph times despite being down on horsepower when compared to its competition.
Model |
Ford Fiesta |
Hyundai Accent |
Chevrolet Sonic |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$13,200 |
$13,745 |
$13,345 |
Engine |
1.6 L four-cylinder |
1.6 L four-cylinder |
1.8 L four-cylinder |
Drivetrain |
Front-wheel-drive |
Front-wheel-drive |
Front-wheel-drive |
Transmission |
Five-speed manual |
Six-speed manual |
Five-speed manual |
Power |
120 hp @ 6350 RPM |
137 hp @ 6300 RPM |
138 hp at 6300 RPM |
Torque |
112 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm |
123 lb-ft @ 4850 rpm |
125 lb-ft @3800 rpm |
0-60 MPH (seconds) |
9.5 seconds |
9.3 seconds |
9.3 seconds |
Quarter mile (mph) |
17.5 seconds |
17.2 seconds |
17.2 seconds |
Top Speed (MPH) |
125 mph |
125 mph |
125 mph |
The Hyundai Accent and the Chevrolet Sonic are at least 17 more horsepower powerful than the Ford Fiesta. This does translate to a better 0 to 60 mph time, but not by much. When it comes to performance, however, Fiesta’s excellent handling means that both other cars are nowhere close to it.
Although all three may not seem in the same pitch, the real-world experience is closer than one might expect. In fact, it is the Fiesta in which you can have the most fun while driving and definitely makes for the better pick if you’re looking at a driver’s car.
Fuel economy is a parameter that this category needs pretty badly for their survival. Ford has ensured that its 1.6 L engine is fuel-efficient enough to power its subcompact sedan without compromising a lot of its performance. The Fiesta exhibits excellent fuel economy, precisely 27 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway. This translates to a combined fuel efficiency rating of 30 MPG. As a result, even with a tank as small as 12.4 gallons, it offers an excellent range of 334.8 miles in the city and 434 miles out on the highway.
Model |
Ford Fiesta |
Hyundai Accent |
Chevrolet Sonic |
---|---|---|---|
MPG (city) |
27 |
27 |
26 |
MPG (Highway) |
35 |
38 |
35 |
MPG (Combined) |
30 |
31 |
30 |
Fuel Capacity |
12.4 gallons |
11.4 gallons |
12.2 gallons |
Range (City/highway) |
334.8/434 mi |
307.8/433.2 mi |
317/ 427 mi |
The Hyundai is a bit more fuel-efficient than the rest of its competition but suffers from a small fuel tank. By its fuel tank size and fuel efficiency figures, the Fiesta offers the highest range out of the three due to its 12.4 gallons fuel tank. The Chevrolet Sonic also returns good efficiency as well as range.
The Fiesta offers excellent interiors that make it quite hard to say it is from one of the most affordable categories in the automotive market. It offers great materials inside and the overall build quality feels great. Plastic quality is good, especially with soft-touch materials on the top of the dashboard, and metallic accents and ambient lighting, as well as a sound system, give Fiesta an edge over its competitors. Interior space is also quite good and the seats, especially the ones up front are built well and very comfortable. At just 12.8 ft.³, the trunk capacity is decent but not quite generous.
Model |
Ford Fiesta |
Hyundai Accent |
Chevrolet Sonic |
---|---|---|---|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
39.1/52.7/43.6 |
38.9/54.2/42.1 |
38.7/53.4/41.8 |
Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
37.1/49/31.2 |
37.3/53.7/33.5 |
37.8/53.0/34.6 |
Cargo capacity (cu.-ft) |
12.8 |
13.7 |
14.9 |
Even though all cars in this category are quite modest when it comes to interior space offered, the Fiesta has enough space for its front passengers. However, its rivals perform better in terms of rear occupancy, where the Fiesta feels cramped. Cargo capacity is also the least in the Fiesta, while the Chevrolet Sonic excels in this department. Some of its interior features include:
The infotainment unit in the Ford Fiesta is easy and intuitive to use. It offers voice control, navigation, emergency assists and so on. The optional system adds a touchscreen that provides crisp graphics and is a delight to use. The audio system is also decent but nothing exceptional. Few standout infotainment features available are-
Although most people feel that the new Ford Fiesta is more attractive in its hatchback form, the sedan is also quite a nice piece of design. It looks more modern than its competitors and hence will take some time to gel with the crowd. One of the biggest attractions of the car is that it is of very small dimensions all around and hence turns out to be an excellent choice for a city commute. There is only one optional package available to improve the looks of the Fiesta and that is the SE Appearance package which adds 15-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, and so on.
Model |
Ford Fiesta |
Hyundai Accent |
Chevrolet Sonic |
---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
2578 |
2480 |
2733 |
Length (in.) |
173.5 |
172 |
173.1 |
Width (in.) |
71.6 |
66.9 |
68.3 |
Height (in.) |
58.1 |
57.1 |
59.7 |
Ground Clearance (in.) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Wheelbase (in.) |
98 |
101.2 |
99.4 |
The Ford Fiesta is the widest and longest car of its category by a very small margin. In terms of wheelbase, the new Hyundai Accent is slightly longer while the Chevrolet Sonic is slightly taller. But still, all these cars are of very modest dimensions proved to be excellent commute options in cities with heavy traffic. The Fiesta is one of the light cars of the bunch but the Hyundai is the lightest. Some of its standout exterior features include:
In the NHTSA crash test, the Fiesta was awarded four out of five stars which is the second-highest rating possible, and on the IIHS crash test, it earned an overall rating of 'Good' in frontal-offset, side in the roof strength tests. The car comes standard with antilock brakes, traction and stability control, integrated blind-spot monitor, front, side, and driver knee airbags as well as an emergency assist function. Some standout safety features include:
The 2013 Ford Fiesta is one of the first cars to introduce subcompact class on a mass scale in America. It is an undeniably capable car with slightly lackluster powertrains, sporty handling, good fuel efficiency, and excellent interiors. It has also scored excellent ratings in safety tests and promises a lot for its starting price which is just MSRP $12300. It is definitely a recommended purchase for someone who is looking for a subcompact sedan.