Is the Ford Fiesta S the new hatch king?

MANILA, Philippines -  Thriving (adj) – characterized by success or prosperity; to grow vigorously

The above-mentioned definition for the word “thriving” aptly describes the market for small cars. Locally, it couldn’t be any better. Sub compact mobiles have been brushing up like mushrooms in recent years, spurned by the surging Korean and Chinese brands that have attractive offerings. At the top of the heap though are still the Japanese makers spearheaded by Honda and Toyota.

And then there is the Fiesta…

Exciting and fresh, the Ford Fiesta is the latest addition to the sub-compact hatch segment currently populated by the Honda Jazz, Mazda2, and Toyota Yaris. Launched in the Philippines in October of last year, the Fiesta is a key element to the brand’s One Ford campaign. Ford hopes to make a solid statement with this car, as it proves that it can make globally competitive products that reflect not just what Americans value in a car, but also those of international markets.

Ford showcases its Kinematic Design philosophy in this new vehicle, an overall direction of sorts that will make it resound more loudly with the Playstation generation 20-somethings that is its primary target. Exterior wise, Kinematic Design is simply a fancier term for the Fiesta’s bold and athletic shape. The car’s round but taut profile is dominated by an aggressive front, featuring a prominent gaping section with honeycomb inserts. Edgy trapezoidal headlights lend a sharp façade, which blend in nicely to the deep creases that characterize the hood and sides. Wraparound rear lamps positioned high, paired with the racy hatch spoiler give the back an attractive look. Sporty 5-spoke alloy wheels sized 16 inches look very appropriate for the car’s playful vibe.

If you ask me though, Kinematic Design is best reflected in the rally bred Fiesta piloted by Ken Block. Just Google this baby up and you’ll know what I mean…it’s jaw dropping wicked.

Cabin design was also crafted to be in tune with Kinematic Design, evidenced in large part by the center console that was inspired by hip handheld electronic products. A center display feeds information to the user, which allows ease of operation of the entertainment system and other functions. Although plastic is the order of the day inside, it doesn’t feel cheap with the differing color textures on the dashboard and door handles. A meaty three spoke steering wheel is perfect for spirited jaunts, and is equipped with audio controls…a nice touch that can’t be found in its competitors. Overall, build quality seems impressive for the Fiesta’s interior.

There is adequate seating for four adult occupants, but squeezing in another fellow in the back seat will prove to be a tight fit. The front seats are like semi buckets, offering good lateral support when throwing the Fiesta into some turns. However, those looking for more traditional American seating will be turned-off as these seats aren’t the cushiest around.

Powering the top of the line Fiesta Sport is a 1.6 liter Duratec Ti-VCT engine. The gasoline powered four cylinder develops a healthy 121 PS @ 6300 rpm and 111 lb-ft of torque @ 4500 rpm. Designed for both economy and performance, the powerplant aims to please fuel conscious motorists but also put a smile on enthusiastic drivers. Paired with the 6-speed Powershift dual clutch transmission, the Fiesta seems like a very capable hatchback on paper.

Upon driving though, I felt that some of the power was lost in the effort to achieve frugality and performance. It seemed as if the Fiesta just got noisier rather than it did faster. More alarmingly, the transmission felt confused as it hunted for gears constantly, not to mention make annoying vibrations through the cabin when it swapped cogs. Once the revs climbed to the upper range though, the Fiesta was as satisfying as any hatch in its class. It felt willing and able to sing at the top of its lungs all day, which is great for track driving but not for everyday chores. The Fiesta, it appeared, preferred one mode of driving, which was fast and nothing else. Good if it ran on water. Bad, especially with the Middle East’s political unrest straining fuel prices. Tested on real world driving, the Fiesta S managed an acceptable 7.8 km/L on city driving, which should hit double figures on highway stints.

Equipped with an independent Macpherson front type suspension and twist beam suspension in the back, the Fiesta S’ strongest suit was its handling. Flickable and agile, this car really backs up the handsome looks with some fun drivability. It simply felt light on its feet. With today’s ever increasing kit and equipment put on cars, which consequently makes them fatter, its nice to drive a vehicle that feels it stuck to its diet plan.

Unfortunately, the Fiesta’s ride quality suffers, and borders on the side of crashy. Tidy handling means you gotta give up some comfort. But young folks aren’t too particular with this anyway, so it shouldn’t be that big of a worry.

As far as features go, Ford loaded the Fiesta with some pretty neat options that’ll blow the competition away. For starters, there’s the Bluetooth Voice Control (BVC). Like a feature out of Knight Rider, BVC allows the driver to interact with the vehicle by talking to it. This can be applied for communication or entertainment functions. Say for instance you need to dial the office, you simply need to vocalize the corresponding command and BVC will do the rest. BVC can even sort through your iPod and select a specific playlist for you. To be able to do so, the Fiesta comes equipped with auxiliary input sockets so you can hook up your portable mp3 players.

In terms of safety facets, the Fiesta also comes loaded. It has Hill Start Assist, a function that prevents the car from slipping backwards should you find yourself stopped in an inclined road. It also comes with traction control, which helps ensure surefootedness in everyday driving. ABS and dual airbags are standard for the top of the line variant.

Thriving. That’s really how I would describe the ever-growing small car market. Gone are the days when you would be embarrassed driving around in a diminutive econo-box. The new Fiesta simply adds more zest into this exciting segment. Although the Fiesta won’t ace all marks, it’ll sure get my vote for the best-dressed and best-in-features categories.

The Good

• “Drive me fast” looks

• Sharp handling

The Bad

• Tough ride

• Not-so-smooth powertrain

The Verdict

• Handsome, fun and feature-filled, Ford has another winner in its hands.