The 2011 Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta is a new model being introduced in North America in 2011. It has been available in Europe for a few years where it has proven to be very popular. It is a subcompact that is now the entry level offering by Ford. That being said it performs at a level that is much higher than you would expect from a car in its class.
The best thing about the 2011 Ford Fiesta is the engine, this is not something that you say too often about a subcompact. While it is only 1.6 liters and produces just 112 horsepower it does seem like a lot more. The reason is that the engine is so smooth and the acceleration is outstanding. Although the car won't set any speed records it is great for the stop start driving that you will experience in city traffic. Standard is s five speed manual transmission but you can get a six speed automatic as well, both are excellent.
The Fiesta is also a really fun car to drive, it was designed for the European market where the cars are usually built to be sporty cars that handle well on the winding roads that you encounter everywhere over there. The steering in the car is outstanding and very precise for a car in its class and it has a suspension that is allows the car to handle really well and at the same time allows for a comfortable ride. Clearly the car can't compete with top of the line sports cars in this regard but for a subcompact it is really quite good.
The interior of the Fiesta is really quite nice and not at all what you would expect on a car in its class. It is much more refined and more like what you would expect to find on a much more expensive car. The downside however is that space is quite limited. Both the back seat and the cargo space are small, even for a subcompact. Therefore if you are planning to carry more than two people in the car it may not be the best option for you.
Overall the 2011 Ford Fiesta is a really nice addition to the subcompact market. In terms of its driving performance it is clearly the best car in its class. It also has a nice look to it and comes with features that you would expect on a more expensive car. The fuel efficiency is very good making it an excellent option for those looking for a good economy car. Obviously there are some flaws with the car, in particular the small back seat but that is going to be true for any car in this price range. The Ford Fiesta is well worth considering if you are in the market for an economy car that is a lot of fun to drive.