Ford Fiesta

Our verdict

Ford gets the blue oval back on top - this is a fantastic little car with a driving experience beyond the class

Comfort

Given that the Fiesta isn't so small anymore its no surprise that the ride and comfort quotient has grown as well. There's loads of space here - and the car simply feels like it has managed to grab the waft from a car in the class above. It works, simply as that.

Performance

There's no hot ST at the moment - but there will be. Until then you get the whole range of smaller engines from the Ford range. The pick at the moment is the 1.6-litre petrol. There will also be a 99g/km ‘Econetic' that should perform well but not kill so many daisies. 

Cool

The three-door looks genuinely brilliant - especially in some of the new bold colours. The five-door doesn't look half bad either. Just one problem - the Fiesta name just hasn't got the barside pizzazz you might want.

Quality

The new central dash arrangement is a bit silver, but not many will complain about the quality at this price point. Ford have worked on that big car feel and the Fiesta does a grand job of not feeling cheap even though it is.

Handling

The best bit about the new Fiesta is that it drives so much better than it has any right to. Turn in is crisp, the chassis is capable of way, way much more power and you can have fun even with the modest amounts of grunt on offer from the current range.

Practicality

The Fiesta has very thick c-pillars and a small rear windscreen, so you might want those £200 optional parking sensors. Other than that its on the pace for space, but not exceptional.  

Running costs

The 99g/km Econetic will be a real cheapie - it even pays no tax. Other than that, insurance across the board will be cheap, the cars are generally very frugal and the Fiesta is easy to fix and small cars are ever more popular. You're on to a winner all round.