Test Ford Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost 125 hp Titanium (with video)

The automotive market does not stop evolving and no manufacturer can "have a nap". Although SUVs represent a large part of sales in Spain, approximately 25% of the sales are for segment B , where practically all general brands have a presence. Today we test a mythical model in this category, the Ford Fiesta ​​strong>, which has been with us for more than 4 decades.

In the second half of 2017, the blue oval brand launched a new generation of your Ford Fiesta. This gives the model produced in Cologne an improvement of what was already good, highlighting even more its dynamic behavior , but, above all, achieving an interior to the order of the day, both visual level as in technology and infotainment. For now, we anticipate that we liked it a lot. Join us to know .

Among other things, the new generation has varied its external dimensions , making it slightly larger than its predecessor. In this way, we find a body that measures 4.04 meters long (+ 71 mm), by 1.73 wide (+ 12 mm) and 1.47 high. For its part, the battle grows only 4 mm, now standing at 2.49 meters; somewhat fair to current standards, which will negatively impact the interior space ; but before that, we go with the outside

Conservative exterior design, losing the characteristic vertical pilots

The new model is still easily recognizable as a Ford Fiesta ​​strong> from a distance, especially its front. The front has not changed much compared to the previous generation, maintaining but modifying aspects such as optical lights or the main grid. Regarding the headlights, they use LED lighting for daylight, but the main projectors can not be led or optionally. The grid still has that Aston Martin type design that we like so much, varying in design depending on each finish. Of course, now covers a larger surface.

The side view has not changed much either, although for its rear flap we can intuit the replacement of the vertical pilots for another design in horizontal layout. In the area of ​​the doors we have two strong lines of tension , an ascending halfway through the door handles and another in the lower area of ​​the doors. The tire designs are also new , being 17 inches in the tested unit.

And as we said, it is in the backside where more changes appear. The most striking is the new placement of lighting. Before we had some pilots placed vertically and now they are located horizontally. To me, personally, I liked more the previous ones , but I have to admit that the new design brings a greater visual width.The previous model was very outdated, counting on a small screen of doubtful quality and a very high number of buttons distributed by the central plate that made the handling of the different functions little intuitive. Luckily, and as you see in the images that accompany these letters, all this has changed .

Now, at the top of the dashboard, there is a touch screen strong> that varies its size depending on the versions, being 8 inches (optional) in the unit tested. Its handling is simple and the menus are well structured; while its touch is of the best in the segment , if not the best. It has the advantage that, although it is not integrated with the line of the dashboard, it is in a position high enough so as not to divert excessively the view of the road, although there are many people who prefer the built-in dashboard. Despite this, and fortunately, the most basic functions are still carried out using some logical physical buttons.

It is true that good part of the materials are hard and somewhat rough , although we also find other softer ones in the upper part of the dashboard and in the supports of the doors. Although many elements are somewhat coarse, their adjustments are good and the sensation transmitted by the controls that we use the most, such as the satellites for the turn signals or simply the roulette to modify the audio volume, transmit quality .

The instrument cluster has a design that is not a revolution, being untrustworthy. But this does not mean anything in terms of practicality, as the information is clearly displayed . We have two main dials, for revolutions and speed, and a small screen of easy operation and vision that shows the typical information of consumption, autonomy or distance traveled, counting on two partial.

The front seats of the Ford Fiesta are correct, but the rear very justitas

The front seats do not differ too much from any other model of segment B. Your space It is correct, without more, for people of almost any size. The adjustments of the seat and the regulation of height and depth of the steering wheel help to easily find a comfortable driving position . Of course, if we are too tall we will have to delay the seat and may not leave enough space for the legs to the rear occupant.

The Ford Fiesta has not significantly increased its wheelbase, so the distance for the legs in the Rear seats is one of your worst data ​​strong>. If we travel four adults around 1.75 meters high there will be no problems, but four people of greater height will compromise comfort in a long journey. The height of head height behind is just right , although this unit comes with the double sunroof that reduces the distance to the roof by several centimeters. As usual in this B segment, the Ford Fiesta is also not recommended for trips with five people .The trunk of the five-door Ford Fiesta is 303 liters , being slightly lower in the body of three doors and somewhat distant from the latest additions to the segment, although it is approximately in the middle of the table. We have double height floor and a cargo mouth that has grown slightly compared to its predecessor. The rear seats can be folded in 60:40 proportions, thus obtaining a load volume of almost 1,000 liters with the ground practically smooth.

Wide range of engines and finishes

The Ford Fiesta is available with four different finishes , which are Trend, Titanium, ST Line and Vignale. The Trend finish is the access, with basic equipment. Meanwhile, the Titanium -which is the one we tested-, has enough equipment, qualities and appearance. For those who seek greater aesthetic sportsmanship without having to equip a high-performance motor and consumptions is the ST Line , a sports line that feels like a glove. And finally we have the Vignale , which is much more luxurious and with better terminations. Coming soon a Active finish, with crossover aesthetics, and the sport Ford Fiesta ST , which will develop 200 HP of its new 1.5-cylinder engine.

As for the engines , the new Fiesta is available with gasoline and diesel engines. In gasoline we have an atmospheric 1.1 in versions of 70 and 85 HP, while the rest resort to block 1.0 EcoBoost of three cylinders with supercharging to yield powers of 100, 125 and 140 HP. The diesel range consists of a 1.5 TDCi engine available in 85 and 120 HP versions. Of all these options, the only available with automatic transmission is the 1.0 EcoBoost of 100 HP.

Motor 1.0 Ecoboost 125 HP

This version of the tricilíndrico 1.0 EcoBoost develops 125 HP and 170 Nm of torque, and is associated with a manual 6-speed gearbox. As you know, it uses turbocharging, direct injection and multiple solutions to contain fuel consumption. According to homologated data, it is satisfied with a mixed 4.3 l/100 km ; although in real life it will be something else. Among its features, we find a 0 to 100 km/h in 10 seconds and a maximum speed of 200 km/h.

Dynamic behavior

And it's time to talk about the most interesting part of this utility. The Ford Fiesta has been characterized for many years by its agile and dynamic behavior. Are you staying in this new generation? Of course yes. As we said before, this unit comes equipped with the 1.0 petrol engine with 125 hp, which develops a more than enough power for a model of this type, I would even say that the version of 100 CV of this same engine could be more logical, although at the moment we could not prove it.

But before starting it, we want to review the most important improvements Ford says it has introduced in this new model. A boat soon, the brand says that the new Fiesta offers a 10% more lateral grip . It seems a simple fact, but it is of great importance.To this we must add new silentblocks and absorbent elements that achieve a better performance.

Now yes. With the control in your pocket - because it has access and keyless start - we approach the car, pull the handle and the door opens. We put the belt, right foot to the brake, left to the clutch and finger to the start button. The three-cylinder comes alive. The noise is very well resolved to be a segment B, although it is true that in certain situations we noticed some slight vibration of the propeller; but nothing outlandish . Without more, we put first and left.

We travel our first kilometers through the city and, already in these measures, we appreciate the agility of the one I spoke to you before. It moves like a fish in the water between the traffic and the streets more mousetraps, although it is true that we miss a larger surface of the exterior mirrors, which seem somewhat small.

La suspension is somewhat tougher than in most models of the competition, but achieves a great commitment and, at least for me, is not uncomfortable at any time-nor to exceed the famous lying guards that abound in our cities. The direction also has a greater weight, but it will not be an impediment at the time of maneuvering. For its part, the touch of the clutch and brake pedals is good and progressive, which always helps to dose and better control both slow maneuvers and braking.

Ready to exit the highway, a somewhat short acceleration lane arrives. We lower marches to see how it responds and, without hardly having a lag appreciable, immediately goes up laps when we accelerate to the bottom. And that the gear ratios are somewhat long . The tours of the lever are not excessively long, but it is true that if they were a little shorter we would transmit a greater sportiness. In any case, we remember that we are facing a totally normal version.

Once on the highway , we began to look at details like your aplomb at high speed or the good soundproofing of the whole. The new Ford Fiesta manages to convey a high feeling of quality and safety , looking like we are facing a larger model, as if we were driving a segment C vehicle. This is something to highlight, as we have said previously, it does not offer one of the biggest battles in the category. As we mentioned, the soundproofing is very good and pleasantly contains the rolling and aerodynamic noises.

As for the response of the engine, at no time we miss more power or torque. Recover speed with relative speed and has no problems in keeping the pace in sixth although we face a slope. In addition, the adaptive cruise control "reduces" our work. If you ask for consumptions while traveling, we will normally be slightly below 5.5 l/100 km if our speed does not exceed the legality, although it is also true that we have measured it with only one occupant.

The confidence and good touch that transmits has "forced us" -be required obligation- to look for a mountain pass . Not to go with the knife between the teeth, but to find a little tickle and check their reactions.The Ford Fiesta steps on well and keeps the address we have marked with the steering wheel. A address which, by the way, seems to us more precise and more direct than we expected, transmitting to our hands a little more information than usual in this type of car, something that is always very appreciated. To emphasize that the touch, diameter and thickness of the steering wheel we seem ideal.

We increase the pace and we see that no remarkable inclinations of the body appear as well. The car rotates relatively flat and supports very few moments after having "put steering wheel". If in full turn we lift the foot of the gas the behind rounds the curve very slightly , but always with everything under control and without the slightest danger or sudden reaction. If we give gas, the system Electronic Torque Vectoring Control helps put the nose without the driver appreciating it. Neither do they choke on the changes of support, showing once again their remarkable agility.

Consumptions Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost

Although, as usual, it is far from the homologation data, the Ford Fiesta tested, with the mechanic 1.0 of 125 hp , is satisfied with little fuel. Our mixed consumption, along a 600-kilometer test, has been around , always between 5 and 6 liters, remaining at the end of 5.7 according to the instrument panel. In the city we will be around 6 liters, while it is not complicated to lower it slightly of 5 in two-way roads to little that we are docile with gas. As we said before, on the highway and 120 we will be around 5.5 l/100 km.

Conclusions after testing the Ford Fiesta ​​span>

The Ford Fiesta takes a significant leap from its predecessor , especially in interior design and ride quality. The only downside is that the space for the rear seats is fairly fair, there are wider alternatives here behind. The capacity of the trunk is not your best virtue, settling more or less in the middle of the segment but being quite far from direct rivals such as the Seat Ibiza (here is the test of the new Ibiza), which has also presented a new generation recently.

Among its strengths we can highlight a remarkable security equipment (although many systems and elements are optional), a logical and intelligent interior design, a multitude of configuration options and, probably, the best chassis in terms of dynamism without sacrificing comfort ; being very refined and suitable both for urban journeys and when traveling on highways during long journeys.

We do not forget your security assistants , that are not exactly few, and of all the equipment that can incorporate. To be a model for the B segment are many, although it is also true that the vast majority of them are optional items for which you have to pay extra money.In addition, it is not necessary to go to crazy rhythms to enjoy the simple fact of drawing curves.