The Ford Fiesta may not be as much of a hot hatch as its bigger brother, the Focus, but it is quite appealing to younger drivers. Also, being as small as it is, it was an immediate hit over in Europe. For the 2017 model year, the Fiesta enters its seventh generation and, unlike some models out there, the car has seen some drastic improvement over the previous generation. So far, Ford has announced four different variants of the Fiesta for 2017 that include a Fiesta ST-Line, Fiesta Titanium, luxurious Fiesta Vignale, and the Fiesta Active.

All four models feature their own distinctive styles. For instance, the Fiesta Active features an elevated ride height, dark cladding around the bottom edges of the car (because you know it’s fun to off-road the Fiesta,) and some contrasting paint. The ST-Line has a sportier look to it and is far more aggressive than the other models. Meanwhile, the Vignale features a satin Vignale grille pattern, as well as Vignale grille surround, foglamp surrounds, and a custom rear diffuser. New exterior colors for 2017 include Blue Wave, but the Vignale can also be had in Milano Grigio. Contrasting colors available include black, white, Bohai Bay Mint, and Chrome Copper.

What’s really more important is the technology onboard each of these models. Ford claims that the Fiesta is now the “world’s most technologically advanced small car.” By that, they mean that it features a B&O Play sound system and comes standard with Ford’s Sync3 infotainment system with screen sizes ranging up to a total of eight inches. The suspension system is all new, and the Fiesta now gets electronic torque vectoring control as well as a pre-collision assistance system with pedestrian detection. There’s also a parking assist system, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. All of this is great and all, and the Fiesta is a far cry from the weird, ugly hatch it once was, but you can’t deny that the front end looks like a frowning fish.

Why it Matters

I have to say that it’s somewhat refreshing to see entry-level vehicles like the Fiesta being offered with a decent handful of technology features and safety systems. I’m not so sure about the Fiesta Active, though. Sure, people tend to have a love over crossovers and rough terrain these days, but I don’t contemplate ever taking a Fiesta anywhere that would justify needing body cladding and raised suspension. On the other hand, features like B&O Play and a panoramic roof that opens is huge for a model that sits quite literally at the bottom of the food chain. The Fiesta may have a personality disorder, but one thing is for sure, there’s a variety of them to choose from. The question is: which one do you want?