Critics say the 2014 Ford Fiesta excels where many subcompact cars fall flat with its nimble handling, great fuel economy and an impressive list of optional features. Because it has the best combination of positive reviews, price and long-term ownership costs in its classes, we named the 2014 Ford Fiesta Best Subcompact Car for the Money and Best Hatchback for the Money.
A four-cylinder engine comes with the 2014 Ford Fiesta, and reviewers generally say that it provides adequate power in most situations. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a six-speed automated manual transmission is optional. The EPA reports that the base Fiesta gets 27/38 mpg city/highway, while an optional SFE package boosts fuel economy to 30/41 mpg. Two turbocharged engines are optional in the 2014 Fiesta, which include an EcoBoost three-cylinder engine and the high-performance Fiesta ST’s 197-horsepower four-cylinder engine. Auto writers agree that athletic handling makes the Fiesta exceptionally fun to drive. They say that while the Fiesta has a firm ride, its suspension does a good job of absorbing bumps and road imperfections. The Fiesta ST also earns praise from the automotive press, as one journalist notes that it closely matches Mini John Cooper Works models in terms of driving dynamics.
Auto critics say that the Ford Fiesta has an attractively designed interior that’s built with a combination of soft-touch materials and hard plastics. Many test drivers say that the Fiesta features comfortable front seats with ample head- and legroom. One reviewer writes that the back seat could use a bit more legroom, but that’s not uncommon among subcompact cars. While the Fiesta hatchback has slightly less overall cargo space than competitors like the Kia Rio, critics say that the Fiesta sedan provides a good amount of trunk space for the class. One reviewer says that the Fiesta’s dash is a bit button-heavy, but other test drivers appreciate features like the available Sync system, which allows you to control your stereo or smartphone using voice commands. The base Fiesta comes standard with air conditioning and a six-speaker stereo with an auxiliary input jack. Available features include cruise control, a moonroof, keyless entry and ignition, leather seats, automatic climate control, heated front seats, Ford’s MyFord Touch infotainment system, navigation and Sync, which adds a USB port and Bluetooth.
The 2014 Ford Fiesta seats five and has front-wheel drive. A 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission are standard, and a six-speed automated manual transmission is optional. The Fiesta is available in sedan and hatchback body styles, and comes in four trims: S, SE, Titanium and the high-performance Fiesta ST, which is new for 2014. Other changes this year include updated exterior styling and new options, such as a turbocharged three-cylinder engine and Ford’s MyFord Touch infotainment system. These additions aside, the Ford Fiesta is unchanged for 2014. As a result, this overview uses applicable research and reviews from 2011 through the current model year.
