Bigger, Better Fiesta Moves Upmarket

Ford gives us a close look at its roomier, higher-quality big seller.

- Sean Carson

THE current Ford Fiesta has topped Britain’s new car sales charts for the past seven years, but with the latest Nissan Micra and Citroen C3 hitting the market – plus a new Volkswagen Polo on the horizon – the supermini sector is as competitive as it’s ever been.

However, Ford is hoping it can cement its position at the top with this seventh generation Fiesta. The new model is the most grown-up edition yet, as we found out when we had an early look at it in Germany.

It’s bigger, roomier, safer, more efficient and more upmarket than ever. And the Fiesta sub-brand will expand; joining the range will be a compact crossover, called the Fiesta Active, and it will be introduced alongside a luxurious Fiesta Vignale.

The first thing you’ll notice is the new design. According to George Saridakis, exterior design director at Ford of Europe, the car’s styling is “more evolution than revolution, with a more mature approach”.

Saridakis added: “It’s simpler and less fussy than the previous Fiesta, with a narrower daylight opening [windows] to make it look more elegant.”

It’s still instantly recognisable as a Fiesta, but the new car is 71mm longer and 12mm wider than its predecessor. Styling cues such as the swept-back headlights, simple bonnet and split wraparound tail-lamps at the rear help to accentuate the car’s extra width, but there’s a functional reason at the heart of the slight increase in size.

The previous Fiesta wasn’t the roomiest supermini on sale, but with a 4mm longer wheelbase – partly to house larger 18-inch wheels that are now available – Ford claims it has freed up an extra 16mm of knee room.

Space is helped by fitting slimmer front seats, and the new Fiesta is definitely more spacious in the rear than the old car, with competitive levels of head and legroom.