Story by Greg Fraser
Ford is back on the radar for small car buyers.
The Blue Oval's German-made Fiesta, not the old Korean sourced Festiva, adds to the impression Ford is back fighting the smart fight.
Fiesta rounds out Ford's model range but its driving dynamics deliver a roundhouse to chief rivals Hyundai Getz and Holden Barina.
Of all the areas assessed, it is the chassis dynamics where the Ford has its most distinct advantage.
Equipped with the largest wheels and tyres of the group, Fiesta's handling is up there with best in class. Communicative steering and a wide footprint give the car a confident and competent feel.
At 1.6 litres, Fiesta has the largest engine of the trio and offers healthy performance, although it can be a bit noisy under hard acceleration.
At $14,490, Fiesta's pricing slots it neatly between the Getz ($13,990) and Barina ($14,990). While it loses points to Getz's generous warranty, lower operating costs and the Barina's fuel economy, the small Ford gains valuable ground in other key areas.
Full Details: www.australiasbestcars.com.au.
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