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2012 Ford Fiesta Des Moines

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All Fiestas get blind spot mirrors incorporated into the side mirrors and a driver's seat armrest. New packages for the top-of-the-line SEL sedan and SES hatchback offer two-tone leather seats and door panels in black and red or black and white as well as color-coordinated trim on the steering wheel and instrument panel. Embroidered floor mats and a leather-wrapped gearshift are also included.  The Fiesta's engine is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder, which teams with either a five-speed manual or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Technically an automated manual, the automatic represents a technology that's begun to spread, bringing the lightweight and efficiency traditionally associated with manual transmissions to those who don't want a car with a clutch pedal.  The new Fiesta feels right at home running around town and on weekend errands. It slips conveniently into fleeting gaps in stop and go urban traffic and into space limited parking slots. Its engine will take the daily commute in stride. Ride is smooth. Wind and road noise is decently muted. Steering feel is certain. Corners taken at responsible speeds reveal little body roll. This means it'll also handle quite well a relaxed Sunday drive to the coast or to a family gathering.  Inside, the Fiesta breaks new ground in the mobile multimedia market with a voice activated infotainment system that augments the traditional AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with audio and podcasts streamed into the car's sound system via a Bluetooth link to a smart phone. Non voice audio controls and for creature comfort settings revert to basic knobs and buttons that are sized and arrayed for ease of use with minimal distraction from the driving task.

Driving Impressions of the '12 Ford Fiesta

It's quite comfortable in its intended environs. Flitting around town, from the parking garage at work to dinner at the neighborhood bistro, the new Fiesta delivers everything as promised. Of course, those environs are where cell phone signal strength commonly is at its best and most constant, so the audio streaming in through SYNC is crisp, clear and full. It's tidy size lets if slip easily through narrow gaps in city traffic.   Likewise, it'll be quite competent for running over to the mall to pick up some kitschy frames for the latest classic cartoon cel addition to the collection. 

Interior Features of the '12 Ford Fiesta

The dominant feature of the dashboard is not the instrument panel, with its analog speedometer, tachometer and fuel gauge, but the center of the dashboard. Ford says the array of infotainment controls housed in a brushed metallic pod and topped by a deeply hooded data screen was intended to evoke thoughts of a PDA or a smart phone; one also might think of the Starship Enterprise or something along those lines. This infotainment system is a centerpiece of the Fiesta's market strategy. The Fiesta's voice activated SYNC system uses its Bluetooth capability to link up with a smart phone to access certain internet streaming services, including FM like sites and podcast providers.

Exterior Features of the '12 Ford Fiesta

Ford's stylists describe the lower grille opening as a reverse trapezoid. Bottom-feeding catfish fits, too. The body colored treatment of the hatchback's upper grille is a better fit for the car's proportions, and market position, than the Ford Fusion themed horizontal chrome strips on the sedan. The geometrical exercises that frame the LED driving lights on the uplevel models conflict with the otherwise, flowing round shapes of the front fascia and the double creased fender arches. Eyed head on, the stance is solid, with the front tires visible outside of the leading edges of the fenders. 

Model Lineup

The Fiesta S sedan comes standard with air conditioning; cloth upholstery; 60/40 split fold down rear seatback; four speaker, 40 watt AM/FM stereo with audio input jack; power door locks and outside mirrors; carpeted front floor mats; rear seat heat ducts; cloth door panel trim. Steel wheels with a six spoke hubcap wear 185/65R15 tires. An option package adds a CD/MP3 player, remote keyless entry, auto lock doors ($495).

Fiesta SE comes with the Fiesta S option package content plus upgraded upholstery; metallic painted interior trim accents; power windows; trip computer; and 195/60R15 tires on aluminum alloy wheels. Option packages include SYNC entertainment center with six speakers and 80 watts, redundant audio controls on the steering wheel and USB equipped center console, and a sport appearance group that includes painted aluminum wheels, cruise control and deck lid spoiler.

Fiesta SEL has everything that was standard and optional on the S and the SE plus rear seat floor mats; seven color ambient lighting; a second, rear seat auxiliary power point; auto dim rearview mirror; SIRIUS satellite radio; and leather wrapped steering wheel. Fiesta SEL comes with 195/50R16 tires on aluminum alloy wheels. One upgrade option group is offered, with chrome external trim, heated front seats, perimeter alarm and keyless door unlock/pushbutton start/stop.

The Fiesta hatchback has two trim levels, the SE and the SES. Standard equipment on the SE hatchback tracks the SE sedan's, as do the available option groupings' content, save for the sport appearance group because the hatchback comes standard with a spoiler. Fiesta SES is equipped similarly to SEL.

Stand alone options for the SE sedan and hatchback include a power moonroof; SIRIUS satellite radio coupled with seven color ambient lighting; carpeted rear floor mats; and heated front seats and outside mirrors. The Super Fuel Economy Package comprises cruise control, partial grille blockers, side air deflectors, underbody shields and 195/60R15 T-rated (low rolling resistance) tires.

Options for SEL and SES include leather seating trim, power moonroof and special exterior paints. Four graphic body trims. The SEL can be tricked out with a ground effect lower body kit, and a more aggressive, Euro style rear spoiler can be added to the SES.

Conclusions

The 2011 Ford Fiesta is a fresh entry in an increasingly popular and important market, the small, fuel efficient runabout. It also shows smart thinking on Ford's part in the midst of a deeply troubled world economy, when building the same car, or nearly the same car, for most of the countries where Ford sells cars makes good economical sense.  The 2012 Fiesta also has a good ride and handles well.  If you are looking for a new car, do not forget to look at the 2012 Ford Focus.

Some of the information for this review was obtained through newcartestdrive.com