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Ford Fiesta 1.0T 140 ST-Line: Supermini champ regains crown

Fiesta ST Line_2017 front
Seventh generation supermini: the new Fiesta ST-Line

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3 July 2017

Ford Fiesta 1.0T 140 ST-Line

  • P11D Value/BIK band: £17,400 / 19%
  • 5-door hatch
  • 138bhp 1.0 litre, 3cyl petrol/six-speed auto
  • Economy / CO2 Emissions:  62.6mpg / 102g/km
  • Performance: 9.0 sec /125mph

What is it?

Could 2017 be the year of the supermini? We ask, as so far we’ve had all-new versions of key rivals such as the SEAT Ibiza, the Volkswagen Polo and now we’ve got a new Ford Fiesta – here with try the Ford Fiesta 1.0T 140 ST-Line.

New Fiestas don’t come along that often, the MK6 being on sale since 2008 – so this is a big deal.

It has to be good too, as Ford shifted 1,000,000 of the outgoing car alone, plus it has been Britain’s best-selling car for eight consecutive years and was the driver’s choice thanks to its keen dynamics. No pressure then!

Thankfully, the signs are good, as although built on the same Global B platform, the new Fiesta boasts sleeker styling, extra interior space, plus a more grown-up, higher quality feel to the interior and is still great to drive with a choice of efficient diesel and petrol engines.

Available to order now, Business Car Manager was a lucky enough to get an early drive of the sporty and fleet friendly ST-Line five-door with the 138bhp 1.0-litre Ecoboost petrol engine.

 What’s hot

  •  The 140PS 1.0-litre petrol engine, is impressively smooth, sporty, willng and boasts 138bhp, plus 180Nm of torque. Acceleration to 60mph takes 9.0 seconds, with a 125mph top speed. It is matched here to a slick six-speed manual transmission.
  • Yes, the seventh-generation Fiesta looks similar to the sixth, but this is no bad thing as to our eyes, that car’s modern cab-forward design still looked sharp even after eight years. Most familiar at the front, where it almost looks like a sculpted version of the old car. The Ford family grille is better integrated, with the choice of different versions depending on the model – the lights are more neatly integrated too. From the side, the upswept window line remains, although there’s some more interesting surfacing to the metal on the flanks. Gone are the high-set rear light clusters, to be replaced by more conventional units spread along the rear of the car. Our car was an ST-Line and benefits from a bespoke bodykit that comprises deeper front bumpers, side skirts and a tailgate spoiler.
  • Inside, there are bigger changes, with a higher-quality, more modern design for the dashboard. It is dominated in our test car by the optional 8.0” touchscreen (a 6.5” screen is standard), which controls the stereo, phone connectivity and optional sat-nav when fitted. Thankfully a decent amount of seat and steering wheel adjustment results in a fine driving position. There’s also a useful 4mm of extra space, which gives welcome extra comfort for rear passengers.
  • First of a new tie-up with Danish audio manufacturer Bang & Olufsen, is the new Fiesta’s optional B&O Play system. With 10-speakers and a boot-mounted sub, we were impressed by the punchy performance and reckon it’s well worth the extra £300 if you can.
  • Hit the road and the first thing that hits you about the new Fiesta, is the supple, mature ride – this is particularly impressive when you consider that the ST-Line has lower sports suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels. Even the biggest pot holes on our Spanish test route couldn’t unsettle the new Ford supermini.
  • Then there’s the handling, a high point of the last car, which despite the refined ride, is sharper and we reckon even better than the last one. The steering, although lighter than before, still delivers impressive amounts of feedback, thus making this Fiesta feel more nimble than ever. Add in high levels of grip and impressive body control and you’ve got a package that’s going to appeal to the keener driver, but won’t put you off if you’re not.
  • Okay, in ST-Line form, the Fiesta isn’t cheap at £17,595, but it does come with an impressive level of standard kit including six airbags, Lane-Keeping alert and Aid, Electronic Stability Programme, tyre pressure monitoring system, projector headlamps with signature LED daytime running lights, front fog lamps, keyless go, sports seats and flat-bottom steering wheel, 6.5-inch touchscreen, with DAB radio plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enablement.

What’s not

  • The Fiesta feels well-made, but while the dashboard uses the highest quality plastics in the new cabin, the rest are a bit of a disappointment to be honest – however they are similar to those in the new SEAT Ibiza.
  • Rear legroom might be improved in the Fiesta, but with the curvy roofline tall rear passengers will find their heads touching the roof – it’s even worse with the optional glass roof.

Verdict on Ford Fiesta 1.0T 140 ST-Line

Ford has aced the new Fiesta and in our opinion it continues to deserve its top place on the sales charts.

Building on the excellent sixth-generation car, they’ve managed to make a supermini that’s even better to drive, but still practical and cheap to run. We just wish the quality of interior plastics was better.

 Ford Fiesta 1.0T 140 ST-Line
ST-Line features 17-inch alloys and tailgate spoiler. Note more conventional light clusters

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