The Ford Fiesta is a supermini car manufactured and marketed by the American carmaker Ford Motor Company since 1976, and it's currently in its seventh generation. Over the years, the Fiesta has mainly been developed and manufactured by Ford's European operations and has been positioned below the Escort (later the Focus). The Fiesta is planned to be discontinued in June 2023, after 20 million have been made; it has been largely displaced by newer models. The hybrid Ford Puma became the more affordable option with the approach of bans on internal-combustion-engined cars.
History of the Ford Fiesta
First Generation Ford Fiesta (1976–1983)
During the 1970s, popular Ford models such as the Cortina and Escort were much-loved and a common sight on UK roads. However, Ford wanted to enter a new area of the market and subsequently identified the newly fledged supermini sector as a potential conquest. Originally named the 'Bobcat' project, speculation in the media was rife until Ford announced the all-new Fiesta under its now-widely-known name in 1975. Launched in 3-door hatchback and panel van guises, the car was predominantly produced in Valencia, Spain, while other factories across Europe were also used, including Ford's plant in the British town of Dagenham. Simple and straightforward were the mantras on which the Mk1 was built, and while refinement wasn't the greatest, the Fiesta still proved popular en masse thanks to low purchase and maintenance costs. It was also the first Ford car to feature a transverse engine layout and is widely credited as being the brand's first globally successful front-wheel drive model. By the end of its production cycle, the Mk1 had truly found its feet, with over one million being sold. Nowadays, they're a proper collector's item, especially in sporty XR2 and Supersport specifications, thanks to their status as cult cars within the so-called 'boy racer' world of the 1980s.
Second Generation Ford Fiesta (1983–1989)
After the success of the first generation, it was time for the Fiesta to receive a well-earned update, and in 1983 the Mk2 was introduced. Thanks to a variety of changes, a wider range of engines was available on the Mk2 as well as a slightly different look thanks to prominent features such as wraparound headlights and a revised interior. Various models were available in the usual 3-door hatchback body style, including a refreshed XR2 for adrenaline-seekers, and a diesel-powered variant for those that wanted maximum fuel economy. A 5-speed manual transmission was also made available for the first time. When production of the second generation ended in 1989, total sales figures for the Fiesta exceeded 4.5 million. Despite the numbers produced, Mk2 Fiestas are a rare sight today and are highly sought after within the collector's world.
Third Generation Ford Fiesta (1989–1997)
As the 1990s approached, it was time for the Fiesta to receive a more radical update due to the ever-improving rivals within the class. The Mk3 Fiesta introduced a new look that was sleeker than its predecessors and featured a range of improved components to bring the car up to date. For the first time ever, the Fiesta was made available as a 5-door hatchback, and with a longer wheelbase, the Fiesta had never been as practical. Refinement was also enhanced thanks to a neater interior, better seats, and technology such as a heated windscreen, while overall driving dynamics also improved due to semi-independent torsion beam rear suspension.
Fourth Generation Ford Fiesta (1995–2002)
The Mk4 Fiesta was introduced in 1995 and came with a raft of noticeable changes, despite being based on the same platform as its predecessor. Out went the boxier look and in came a smoother, rounder aesthetic, as well as an updated engine line-up. New Zetec SE engines were made available within the Mk4 range, while the 1.8-liter diesel and the smaller Endura E (previously known as Valencia) engines remained. The powerful XR2i and RS Turbo/RS1800 variants were also ditched within the new generation, being replaced by the sharp Zetec S which offered around 100 bhp and aggressive looks. In 1999, the Mk4 was given a midlife facelift in order to align with Ford's new design language, 'New Edge'. Fresh elements included a new engine for Zetec S variants.
Fifth Generation Ford Fiesta (2002–2008)
At the turn of the millennium, it was time for a new Fiesta to take the main stage, and in 2002, the all-new fifth generation was introduced. Featuring more fashionable looks, it proved popular amongst many and was the first Fiesta model to come with anti-lock brakes and passenger airbags as standard. It didn't take long for the Mk5 to establish itself, going on to become the best-selling Fiesta generation to date. The majority of engines were initially carried over from the previous generation, with engines ranging from 1.0L petrol options to 2.0L types of diesel. In 2005, the Mk5 was facelifted (commonly referred to as the Mk5.5), which brought an improved quality throughout. The now-famous ST moniker was used as the performance variant of the Mk5, featuring a 2.0L petrol engine that produced an impressive 150bhp to give the car super engaging driving dynamics.
Sixth Generation Ford Fiesta (2008–2019)
In the late 2000s, various pressures such as the global financial crisis forced drivers to downsize in a quest to save costs; the supermini sector had never been more important. So, when Ford pulled the covers off the sixth-generation Fiesta, they ensured it had everything required to maintain its popularity. Launched under the new 'One Ford' strategy, it was one of the first models to be universal, regardless of region. This meant a Fiesta in Asia was almost identical to those in Europe, allowing production to be more efficient and less expensive. It was also designed using the 'Verve Concept' which was Ford's way of meeting customer demand for smaller, more efficient cars while maintaining style and flair. Over its 8-year production run, the Mk6 was consistently at the top of the pile, with over 300,000 being sold each year in Europe alone for much of its life. Due to this popularity, you'll see plenty of them out and about today.
Seventh Generation Ford Fiesta (2017–Present)
On November 29, 2016, the seventh-generation Fiesta (Mark VII, or Mark VIII in the UK) was announced in Germany. It is said to be larger, roomier, safer, more efficient, and more upmarket compared to its predecessor. The Fiesta range expanded to include new additions - a crossover-styled variant called the Fiesta Active, and the luxury Fiesta Vignale. The Fiesta was withdrawn from North America, South America, Australasia, and Asia, according to Ford in 2017, due to the popularity of SUVs and pickup trucks, such as the Ranger and Escape. However, Fiesta ST continued to be sold in Australia due to its popularity and larger profit margin.
Price
In Malaysia, Ford offers the 2022 Ford Fiesta with a starting MSRP of RM 83,401 for the base Fiesta Sport 1.5, rising to RM 92,925 for the top-spec Fiesta Sport+ 1.0 EcoBoost variant.
- Fiesta Sport 1.5 - RM 83,401 ($18,866)
- Fiesta Sport+ 1.0 EcoBoost - RM 92,925 ($21,021)
Features of the Ford Fiesta
Exterior Features
The redesigned exterior certainly looks good but looks are subjective. The sleek LED headlights in the front are new and add sportiness The matrix LEDs are offered as an optional add-on. The bigger intake grille with chrome surround and side air vents are present with the Trend and Titanium trims. The ST-Line gets a bigger and newly designed intake grille design with honeycomb inlays. The rear LEDs look aggressive with black surrounds and a hook-type brake light design. The rear exhaust and the body-colored faux diffuser look great with the ST-Line. Ford is offering either a 3-door or a five-door variant of the Fiesta. The Active trim is more rally-focused and has a taller and wider stance with a slightly lifted intake grille and better ground clearance. A set of 17-inch wheels are offered from the Titanium trim and 18-inch ones come with the Active.
Interior Features
The interior is not completely changed but is new in a lot of aspects. The dashboard looks good with the 8.0-inch touchscreen display on it which boasts the latest SYNC 3 operating system. The 12.3-inch MID (Multi-Information Display) is not available as standard but seeing it is available is a plus point as it will add a modern touch to the cabin and also display loads of information. That said, the cabin materials will be mainly soft-touch plastics and cloth as standard which is acceptable in the segment. Sports seats with up to 14-way power adjustability and multi-level heating dominate the front row. The spaciousness will not be the best for the likes of Volkswagen Polo but will be enough for daily commuting. The slightly lower legroom will seem to bother the rear passenger if the Fiesta is taken for long drives. The three-door variants do make it troublesome for getting in and out of the rear row. The cargo capacity, just like the older generation, is not the best for carrying a lot of luggage.
Specs and Performance of the Ford Fiesta
Bringing the most anticipated improvements in the powertrain department, Ford has opened a new doorway for its future with a set of mild-hybrid engines powering the new Fiesta. To sum it up, Ford is offering up to two engine options with multiple power outputs. All the engines drive through the front wheels. The transmission options are either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DCT (the DCT is available with the 123 horsepower variant.) The 1.0L EcoBoost three-cylinder engine without the hybrid assistance can deliver up to 45.2 MPG as confirmed by the WLTP, which is the same as the hybrid variant putting out 123 horses. Ford introduced the BISG (Belt-driven Integrated Starter/Generator which helps in increased responsiveness in the stop-start functions and intelligently tops up the 48-volt lithium-ion battery pack during braking. The new Fiesta also has three driving modes- Normal, Sport, and Eco which change throttle and braking response, traction control levels, gear-changing ratios, and a lot more to provide you with an excellent everyday experience. The ST-Line will be having a mechanical slip differential as an optional add-on for better handling dynamics.
Release Date
Ford Motor Company has been producing the Ford Fiesta. The company started delivering the 2022 Ford Fiesta in January 2022 with new and modern technology inside, including its updated exterior styling.