The Ford Fiesta sedan and hatch are fresh for 2014, with a nose restyle and additional interior features, like an optional touchscreen infotainment. The biggest mechanical news comes from the hot Fiesta ST performance model, but the humble four-door sedan and five-door hatchbacks are packing a new EcoBoost option as well.

Ford->ke31 is bringing the award-winning EcoBoost 1.0-liter three-cylinder to the U.S.-market Fiesta for 2014, where the engine's 148 pound-feet of torque will be the top offering. The in-line-three cylinder engine is a marvel of power and efficiency, with a predicted mpg score that is well above even the 41 highway rating of the Special Fuel Economy version of the sedan.

The Fiesta’s previous styling effort and lackluster engines have slowed the adoption of this compact car by most U.S. shoppers. 2014’s tasteful new nose helps bring the Fiesta’s appearance in line with the handsome new Fusion – with a sculpted trapezoidal grille with horizontal chrome slats. Paired with the Fiesta’s new bumpers and hood-mounted Blue Oval badge – the Fiesta is finally looking chic enough to be cross-shopped with the Fiat 500 and other fashion super-minis.

In reality, the bulk of the Fiesta’s market is also considering the Chevrolet Sonic and Dodge Dart – but benchmarking the Fiat 500 is important for the Ford ->ke31 to attract young city drivers. Among this ‘fashion compact’ segment, the Fiat’s quirky design and image helps make the car seem more like an accessory – a designer handbag of a car instead of just boring transport.

Click past the jump to see how the 2014 Ford Fiesta compares with rivals, plus detailed information on the new EcoBoost three-cylinder engine's performance chops.

2014 Ford Fiesta

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Ford Fiesta
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 120 @ 6350
  • Torque: 112 @ 5000
  • Transmission: 5-speed Manual, 6-speed Auto Opt.
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The Fiesta's exterior styling is now much more approachable, with big-car cues in its grille and nose that are designed to make it seem larger than it is. The new grille looks far better than the previous chrome-trimmed top grille accent - itself just a styling nod as the car air intakes were deep in the lower bumper.

The new nose is shared by the Fiesta Sedan and Hatch models, with only slight styling differences between the two ahead of the door area. The new grille is paired with a more flowing hood shape to disguise the car's large windshield and too-tall roof height.

To the sides and rear, the Fiesta carries over the same flowing style seen on its predecessor. The high roof hurts the sedan's appearance much more than the hatch, as the rear glasshouse seems tacked on and lacks an endpoint as it arcs back to the trunk.

The sedan's trunk and rear views are by far the worst angles for any Fiesta model. New bumper detailing helps the car seem a bit classier, but overall the Fiesta sedan is quite unappealing from the rear. The high roof, narrow body and even narrower trunk lid just scream 'econobox' - in one of the most garish roof and pillar designs since the demise of the Saturn Ion.

The hatch is far more stylish while actually being a fraction of an inch taller and much shorter in length than the sedan. The hatch's planted rear stance looks taut and modern - making the five-door the choice for eager drivers.

The Fiesta lacks the LED daytime running lights from European Fiesta models, which is a big loss for the style of the Fiesta in a fashion-conscious segment.

Lastly, Ford's personalization options are promised to be better for 2014 Fiesta, which is good because the current graphic wrap and styling accessories are mostly really lame and overpriced.

2014 Ford Fiesta – Exterior Dimensions:

Fiesta

Sedan

Hatch

Wheelbase (in.)

98

98

Length (in.)

173.5

159.7

Width (in.)

67.8

67.8

Height (in.)

58

58.1

Track - Front (in.)

57.7

57.7

Track - Rear (in.)

57

57

Weight (Pounds)

2,600

2,550

Drag Coefficient

.32, Est

.30, Est


2014 Ford Fiesta – Standard Exterior Features:

- 15-inch steel with covers (standard on S and SFE Package)

- Easy Fuel Capless Fuel Filler

- Power Mirrors with Integrated Blind Spot Mirrors

- Solar tinted glass

- Rear windshield wiper (Hatch)

- Rear Deck lid Spoiler

- Halogen headlamps with black-surround bezel

- Acoustic-laminate windshield

2014 Ford Fiesta – Optional Exterior Features:

- Keyless Entry Keypad

- Fiesta Lower Door Graphic Package

- Body-color, power, heated side-view mirrors with turn signal indicators

- Fog lamps with carbon black bezel and chrome-trimmed ring

- Body Kit Package

SE Appearance Package

- SYNC with MyFord Touch including 6-inch color touch screen

- 16-inch painted aluminum wheels

- Chrome-trimmed fog lamps

- Rear decklid spoiler (Sedan only)

- SiriusXM Satellite Radio

- Leather-trimmed shift knob with chrome insert

- Unique Sport Cloth Front Bucket Seats with embossed design

- Power-adjustable driver’s lumbar support

- Aluminum spare wheel

Interior

The Fiesta's interior is much improved for 2014, with equipment and dimensions that are more than enough for most compact car devotees. In fact, the Fiesta is very roomy by most front cabin measurements, and really only shows its tiny size with a cramped rear seat legroom tally. Besides that, the shoulder and hip room counts are only down a few inches versus the large Fusion sedan.

The biggest change between the hatch and sedan interior's is the luggage capacity. The sedan actually has a very respectable trunk 12.8 cubic-feet in the trunk, but the hatch is the cargo flexibility master. It packs 15 cubic-feet behind the second row of seats, and a flat load floor for 26 cubic-feet of stuff with the 60/40 split-folding seat down.

This total is not great versus most wagons or crossover models, and also lags well behind the (more expensive) Kia Rio5 hatchback.

Inside, the two Fiesta body styles share all their fittings and interior dimensions. Across the three levels of trim choices (S, SE and Titanium), the Fiesta climbs out of rental car radio hell and gains MyFord Touch with a 6.5-inch touchscreen. Even the lowliest Fiesta's are equipped with SYNC Applink, which allows voice control for USB connected iPhones or Android devices.

The MyFord Touch upgrade is very worthwhile at just $995 extra, which also brings power lumbar support and a satellite radio trial.

2014 Ford Fiesta – Interior Dimensions:

Front Seating Capacity

2

2

Rear Seating Capacity

3

3

Headroom - Front (in.)

39.1

39.1

Headroom - Rear (in.)

37.1

37.2

Legroom - Front (in.)

42.2

42.2

Legroom - Rear (in.)

31.2

31.2

Shoulder Room - Front (in.)

52.7

52.7

Shoulder Room - Rear (in.)

49

49

Hip Room - Front (in.)

50.6

50.6

Hip Room - Rear (in.)

49.2

49.2

EPA Cargo Volume - Sedan Trunk (cubic-feet)

12.8

NA

EPA Cargo Volume - Hatch Seats Up (cubic-feet)

NA

14.9

EPA Cargo Volume - Hatch Rear Seats Down (cubic-feet)

NA

25.4


2014 Ford Fiesta – Standard Interior Features:

- 5-Speed Manual (standard)

- Sport Cloth Front Bucket Seats with Embossed Seat Design

- 6-way manual driver's seat

- 4-way manual front-passenger seat

- AM/FM Stereo/Single-CD/MP3 Capability and Auxiliary Audio Input Jack

- SYNC with SYNC Applink

- Metallic trim on instrument panel registers, center stack and shifter bezel, Leather and Metallic Trim, Shift Knob with Metallic-Trim Insert

- Power door locks with automatic locking doors

- Power windows with driver one-touch up-down feature

- 12-volt auxiliary powerpoint – front, 12-volt auxiliary powerpoint - rear

- Manual air conditioning with electronic actuation, Rear-seat air ducts

- Chrome door release handles

- Ice Blue cluster lighting, Illuminated lighting for glove box and load compartment, Ambient Lighting

- Ford MyKey

-

2014 Ford Fiesta – Optional Interior Features:

- Driver's seat adjustable lumbar support

- Heated Front Seats

Equipment Group 201A ($995):

- SYNC with MyFord Touch including 6.5-inch color touch screen

- 16-inch painted aluminum wheels

- Chrome-trimmed fog lamps

- Rear decklid spoiler (Sedan only)

- SiriusXM Satellite Radio

- Leather-trimmed shift knob with chrome insert

- Unique Sport Cloth Front Bucket Seats with embossed design

- Power-adjustable driver’s lumbar support

- Aluminum spare wheel

Drivetrain, Suspension and Brakes

The EcoBoost triple engine option is a late addition to the 2014 Fiesta line, and pricing and final stats are not yet released. We know that the engine will make 123 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque, but not the rev speed for these totals.

Each is an impressive output for a 1.0-liter engine, which helps the energetic EcoBoost engine to invigorate the Fiesta's sedate chassis settings. The EcoBoost option will come paired with a five-speed manual transmission, with no word yet on if the triple can pair with the optional six-speed auto from the other engine. The new engine upgrade is projected to cost $800 and drop the 60 mph sprint about half a second, down to 8.8 seconds.

The most popular engine remains the 1.6-liter TI-VCT four-cylinder that produces 120 horsepower and 112 pound-feet of torque. This is enough for a 9.3-second sprint to 60 mph with either the standard manual or optional twin-clutch automatic.

The PowerShift box is the most affordable twin-clutch automatic transmission offered by any automaker in the U.S., and its performance abilities are intact even without shift paddles behind the steering wheel. The instant gear responses and frugal nature of the PowerShift auto also help it score better mileage than even the manual -- a relatively new phenomenon.

All Fiesta's get excellent mileage both in real-world use and by the EPA's official calculations.

2014 Ford Fiesta – Mechanical Details:

Engine Size and Type

1.6-liter 16-valve I-4 With DOHC And VVT

1.0-liter Turbocharged 12-valve I-3 With DOHC And VVT

Peak power (Horsepower)

120 @ 6350

123

Peak torque (Pound-feet)

112 @ 5000

148

Transmission

5-Speed Manual (6-Speed Auto Opt.)

5-Speed Manual

0-to-60 mph

9.3 seconds

8.8 seconds, Est

Top Speed (mph)

105, Est

105, Est

EPA Fuel Economy MPG (City/Highway/Combined)

27/38/31 Man, 29/39/32 Auto

32/42/35, Est

EPA Fuel Economy MPG (City/Highway/Combined)

SFE Package 30/41/34

NA


Safety

2014 Ford Fiesta – Standard Safety Features:

- Personal Safety System: Seven Standard Airbags Including All Row Side-Curtain Airbags, Driver’s Knee Airbag

- 3-point safety belts for all seating positions, height-adjustable retractable front outboard safety belts

- AdvanceTrac electronic stability control (ESC)

- Battery saver

- Belt-Minder front safety belt reminder

- Child-Safety Rear Door Locks

- Side-intrusion door beams

- LATCH - Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors (for child-safety seats)

- SOS Post-Crash Alert System

- Tire Pressure Monitoring System

- SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft system

- Perimeter alarm

- Remote Keyless Entry

Pricing

2014 Ford Fiesta

2014 MSRP

Fiesta S Sedan

$14,000

Fiesta S Hatch

$14,600

Fiesta SE Sedan

$15,540

Fiesta SE Hatch

$16,050

Fiesta Titanium Sedan

$18,200

Fiesta Titanium Hatch

$18,800


Competition

Chevrolet Sonic

The Chevy Sonic brings a higher base price than the Fiesta, but also offers drivers an excellent connected infotainment setup with MyLink. MyLink one-ups the Ford by also being able to create a duplicate iPhone or Android phone display on the car's central screen - allowing map updates, multimedia convergence and many other possibilities.

Fiat 500

The Fiat 500 is slightly more expensive than even a loaded Fiesta Titanium, owing to its Italian luxury image and numerous styling, engine and tech upgrades. The Fiat is a bit cuter and more unique than the Fiesta on city streets, and it will feel more at home being valet parked. The 500 is quite slow and not very efficient with fuel, which is not a good compromise considering the cabin is tiny and the infotainment options are very poor.

Conclusion

The Fiesta certainly does not instantly warm the hearts and minds of consumers on the U.S. market - not in the way it does in the U.K. at least, where it is the best-selling car for years running.

Yes, some original concerns about the Fiesta are still around after this refresh, including the styling of the sedan and the underwhelming performance of any of the non-ST engine choices.

The ride is well-damped but still firm and quite bouncy versus large sedans of all kinds. The cabin can be noisy, and seeing only the top of a 4x4's tires in traffic is alarming.

The flip side of these demerits -- that apply to all compact cars, not just the Fiesta -- is an eager and playful chassis in the Fiesta hatchback. Few cars will be as fun to absolutely floor it from every stop light, which is a bit of entertainment in itself.

For most car shoppers, though, the Fiesta is now more handsome and easier to imagine fitting in a trendy shopper's life. As a fashion accessory, the Fiesta might not be the most exclusive handbag on the market, but it will last for years and goes with everything.

Category

Rating

Details

Driving

C

Some Compact Harshness And Little Insulation

Performance

B-

EcoBoost Triple Won Best Global Engine of the Year Recently, But Still Not Too Quick

Look

B-

Hatchback Is The More Stylish Choice, New Nose Helps

Value

A

Really Affordable Titanium Trim Has Everything Standard

Overall

B

Fiesta Overhaul Brings More Style And Fashion Appeal