Ford Fiesta Studio 1.4 TDCi 3dr Car Review - February 2012

REVIEW
List Price: £11,795
Tax Band: B
Insurance Group: 6
MPG: 68.9
CO2: 107
0-62 Mph: 14.8 secs
BHP: 69 BHP
Range: 606 miles
CarSite Verdict:  3.5/5
The Studio 1.4 TDCi is a significant improvement on previous versions of the Ford Fiesta. The exterior has had a complete overhaul, which many people will say is long overdue. This is an impressive small car which is cheap to run and pleasing to drive, with good performance when you consider the low power which the engine can deliver, thanks to the 40kg weight reduction and improved efficiency.

PROS:  A distinctive creased bonnet and sides go a long way towards improving the previously boring appearance of the Ford Fiesta, along with a noticable improvement in performance and a lighter weight for improved efficiency.

CONS:  Going against the Ford Fiesta Studio 1.4 TDCi is the fact that the interior does look a little cheap and low quality. Also the standard model is not very well equipped.

Behind the Wheel

The 1398cc diesel engine does not have a great deal of pulling power, delivering 118lb-ft of torque at 1750rpm and reaching a power of just 70bhp at 4000rpm, but the light chassis means that it can reach a fairly respectable top speed of 101mph and go from 0-62mph in 14.8 seconds.

The handling is perhaps a bit light, but still very good. The 5-speed manual gearbox feels like it needs an extra gear on the motorway, but Ford say that it is part of the reason why the Ford Fiesta Studio 1.4 TDCi is so efficient for city driving.



Looks & Equipment

Good looking on the outside, but with little depth, is probably a fair assesment of this incarnation of the Ford Fiesta. You get power steering, stability control, electric door mirrors, air bags, CD player and immobiliser as standard, but that is all. It doesn't even have central locking or air con.

Practicality, Safety & Reliability

With low fuel consumption at 68.0mpg and an insurance group of 6B this is a very practical car to drive for people worried about keeping their running costs down to a minimum. It is also easier on the environment than previous models with CO2 emission of 107g/km, and has good safety ratings with an NCAP occupant safety rating of 5, child safety rating of 4, and pedestrian safety rating of 3.

The 295-litre boot space with the seats up can be increased to 979-litres of storage when you put the seats down.

Value for Money

The £11,495 list price is not as cheap as you might have hoped, but if you shop around you should be able to get a better price, and the low running costs mean that overall the Ford Fiesta Studio 1.4 TDCi offers pretty good value for money.

Ford Fiesta Studio 1.4 TDCi 3dr Car Review - by 
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Small Family Alternatives

You might want to read reviews for other Small Family cars that you can then compare to the Ford Fiesta. Here are some popular Ford Fiesta alternatives:

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