Ford Fiesta Review

The 2012 Ford Fiesta ranks 2 out of 41 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 27 published reviews and test drives of the Ford Fiesta, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The 2012 Ford Fiesta is a well-rounded small car that offers good driving dynamics, a comfortable interior and competitive interior tech for the class.

The Ford Fiesta hit the market in 2010, and for 2012, reviewers are still impressed with the 2012 Fiesta’s nearly perfect package. They say thisaffordable small car offers cute looks, fun color options, a quality interior, fun driving dynamics, upscale tech and good fuel economy ratings for the class.

That said, there are a few caveats consumers should know. In advertisements, Ford says the Fiesta gets 29/40 mpg city/highway. That’s with the Fiesta’s Super Fuel Economy package that’s optional on SE trims and higher, which means you pay more for good mileage. And, even though the Fiesta is available as a hatchback, it is not the most utilitarian five-door in the class. That honor is reserved for the Honda Fit, which has a standard Magic Seat and up to 57.3 cubic feet of cargo space. 

But that doesn’t stop the Fiesta sedan and hatchback from being the Best Subcompact Car and Hatchback for the Money thanks to their stylish looks, available tech and fun performance.

Other Cars to Consider

There are two new affordable small cars that are challenging the Ford Fiesta: the Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent. Previously, the automotive press condemned these models for their bad performance, cheap interiors and few standard safety features. For 2012, both of these models are redesigned and the automotive press is raving about their 138-horsepower engines and attractive exteriors. What’s more, both of these models top the base Fiesta’s fuel economy ratings and get 29/40 mpg city/highway.

If practicality is your main concern, you should check out the Honda Fit. Some reviewers say it isn't as much fun as the Fiesta, but it does a lot of things the Fiesta can’t thanks to its standard Magic Seat. The Magic Seat has four modes (people, utility, long and tall), which means you can fit five adults comfortably, pack 57.3 cubic feet worth of stuff, tote a surf board or haul a tall plant. The Fit does trail the Fiesta in terms of fuel economy, but if practicality is your primary concern, the Honda Fit tops the Fiesta.

Details: Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta sedan and five-door hatchback come in four trims: the base S, SE, SEL and SES. The base S is available only as a sedan, and the sedan is not available in the SES trim. The hatch isn't available in the SEL, though the two trims are nearly identical in terms of features and options.

The Ford Fiesta is in its second year of production, and there are few changes to the model. In response to critiques from the automotive press, Ford has added a center arm rest and blind spot sideview mirrors. The automaker has also added new interior style packages.

• "The Fiesta is a substantial, grown-up car. If Ford can keep pricing for the U.S. model, due here next spring, within range of the spunkier but less well-mannered Honda Fit, it will have a rare commodity: a car suited to both Facebook and the real world." -- Automobile Magazine
• “Fiesta doesn't have near the passenger room and cargo versatility of most competitors, but counters with the availability of several unexpected class features, such as heated seats and leather upholstery. If practicality is secondary to style and substance in your book, then Fiesta should be on your shopping list." -- Consumer Guide
• "Ford would be happy with best in class. And we think that's where the Fiesta may very well rank when it reaches the United States." -- Car and Driver
• "Against more familiar models--the Chevrolet Aveo, the Honda Fit and the Toyota Yaris--the Fiesta rises above this competition and every other segment." -- AutoWeek
• "Want a small, cheap, fun-to-drive, economical, practical car? Right now there's not many choices at all and none if you want to buy American. The Ford Fiesta will change that." -- Jalopnik
• "The Fiesta marks Ford's attempt to market the same basic car here that is sold in Europe at higher prices, by standardizing the basics and making optional some upscale features, including heated leather seats, automatic climate control, heated side mirrors, keyless entry and push-button engine start. Some of these features have never been seen in this price class." -- Cars.com

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Volkswagen GTI Review

The 2012 Volkswagen GTI ranks 1 out of 9 Upscale Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 25 published reviews and test drives of the Volkswagen GTI, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The 2012 Volkswagen GTI isn’t the fastest or most nimble upscale small car, but reviewers think the GTI is a great value because it offers a little bit of everything at an affordable price.

The automotive press likes the spunk of the Volkswagen Golf, but thinks that the Volkswagen GTI, the performance-tuned version of the Golf, goes above and beyond the call of duty with its ample power and precise handling. Unfortunately, the GTI’s performance isn’t so perfect when compared with its classmates. The 2012 Volkswagen GTI falls short simply because it isn’t as powerful or refined as what reviewers expect from a German vehicle. It makes significantly less horsepower compared with the BMW 1-Series, and reviewers don’t think the GTI is as nimble as it could be.

But there is one thing the 2012 Volkswagen GTI is good at, and that’s packing a lot of value into a small package, which is why we named the GTI the Best Upscale Small Car for the Money. Test drivers think the GTI’s cabin materials are exceptional, and are even more impressed that most adults will be able to sit comfortably in the front and back seats. Add good fuel economy for the class, and a low base price compared with the pricey Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series, and the VW GTI offers the ideal balance of price, practicality and fun-to-drive character that make the GTI an ideal choice for shoppers looking for a car that does a lot of things well.

Other Cars to Consider

If you love to drive, test the BMW 1-Series. This coupe costs significantly more than the GTI, has lower fuel economy ratings and a tight second row, but if a powerful engine, smooth transmission, precise cornering and confident braking are important to you, you won’t feel like you’re wasting money.

While test drivers say the GTI has a good balance of practicality and performance, the Audi A3 boasts the same. Though its back seat is cramped for adults, the A3 has a lot more cargo space, and is even available with a turbocharged diesel engine, which meshes both good fuel economy and excellent performance, making the A3 even more practical. If you’re interested in the A3, keep in mind that it is more expensive than the GTI.

The Details: Volkswagen GTI

The 2012 VW GTI is available in two- and four-door models. Both models are available with the convenience and sunroof, sunroof and navigation and Autobahn packages. See the full list of 2012 Volkswagen GTI specs.

• “As far as hot hatches are concerned, none of the competition offers the same mix of refinement sophistication and driving good times that the GTI does.” -- Autoblog
• "The 2012 Volkswagen GTI might not make top performance numbers, but overall, it's one of our top picks for a sporty hatchback." -- Edmunds
• "GTI is a great choice that offers near premium-compact build quality and serious driving-enthusiast appeal. The 2.0T engine is plenty powerful. We're not enamored with the automated-manual transmission. Base prices are reasonable but quickly skyrocket as features are added. Still, even with somewhat lofty prices, you get what you pay for." -- Consumer Guide

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