Ford Fiesta facelift review, test drive

In 2011 Ford hamstrung the prospects of its all-new mid-size sedan, the Fiesta, with an overly optimistic price tag. It’s not that the Fiesta wasn’t a competent machine; far from it. However, the high price only served to highlight its shortcomings. It didn't have the best back seat, it had the least powerful engine, and the quality of interiors wasn’t up to scratch either. Later corrections to the price did little to revive consumer interest. Now, Ford is ready to revive the Fiesta’s fortunes once again with a facelift and hopefully a price that dovetails with the abilities of the new car too.

Head turning, that’s what the new Fiesta is. The changes to the car’s body are limited, but create a big impact. The huge trapezoidal air dam that dominated the Fiesta’s face has morphed into the striking hexagonal grille, reminiscent of what you'll see on most Aston Martins. The five slim chrome bars add a bit of panache to this aggressive design. Lower down, there are slimmer air dams that extend the trapezoidal theme a bit further, and the sporty look is accentuated by cutouts in which the fog lamps are housed. But it isn’t just the plastic parts that have been changed. Sheetmetal changes include the bonnet, which has a subdued power bulge running down the centre. It has also been redesigned to accommodate the all-new headlamps. New multi-spoke alloy wheels are also offered on the Titanium variant. The rear too has been treated to a mix of new sheet metal and plastic parts. The tail-lamps and the bumpers have been lightly redesigned for a bolder stance, and the boot looks crisper with a lip to accentuate the sportiness and streamline airflow. The redesign has resulted in a three percent improvement in aerodynamic efficiency.