2011 Ford Fiesta

Reviewers are nearly unanimous in saying that the Ford Fiesta sets new benchmarks for the affordable small car class -- even reviewers who don't go that far say Honda and Toyota should watch their backs. The Fiesta debuted in 2010, and this year, the Fiesta gets even more accolades: We named it the 2011 Best Subcompact Car for the Money.

Ask any car lover and they'll tell you: some of the world's best small cars never make it stateside. With the Ford Fiesta, that's changed. On sale in Europe since 2008, the most recent iteration of the Fiesta has finally arrived at dealerships in the U.S.

The Fiesta gets high marks from almost every reviewer who has driven it because it offers things many other small cars lack: a fun driving experience and a comfortable, upscale cabin. With the Fiesta, many reviewers say Ford may radically alter what American buyers expect from small cars. The Fiesta has features rarely seen amongSmall/Subcompact Cars, from available heated seats to Ford's SYNC system to an airbag for the driver's knees. But what will seal the deal for many buyers is the Fiesta's hybrid-like fuel economy. Ford says it should get 30 miles per gallon in the city and 40 miles per gallon on the highway. Those numbers are close to what many hybrids offer, but the Fiesta will cost thousands less. These strong characteristics led Consumer Guideto name it a “2011 Best Buy.”

Other Cars to Consider

If you're looking for a fun-to-drive small car, the Fiesta isn't the only option, but it is one of the least expensive. The Mazda3 wins a lot of praise for its driving dynamics, but it starts at about $2,000 more than the base Fiesta and can’t match the Fiesta's fuel economy, which is among the best in the class.

The Mini Cooper comes close to the Fiesta's fuel economy ratings, but costs about $5,000 more than the base Fiesta. However, if you're considering a well-optioned Ford Fiesta (higher Fiesta trims start only about $1,000 below the Mini's base price), the Mini's BMW-sourced driving dynamics may make it worth looking at.

If practicality is your main concern, you should check out the Honda Fit. While reviewers flat-out say it isn't as much fun as the Fiesta, it starts at less than $1,000 more than the Fiesta and has lots more cargo room than the Fiesta hatchback. It also only trails the Fiesta's estimated fuel economy by five miles per gallon on the highway and two miles per gallon in the city.

Details: Ford Fiesta

Ford Fiestas come in an array of colors, ranging from the basic Tuxedo Black and Oxford White to the quirky Lime Squeeze, Yellow Blaze and Red Candy. The Fiesta is available as a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback. Four trims are available: the base S, SE, SEL and SES. Note that the base S is available only as a sedan. Also, the sedan isn't available in the SES trim, and the hatch isn't available in the SEL, though the two trims are nearly identical in terms of the features and options they offer. The base Fiesta S is starts at $13,320, while the SES trim starts at $17,120.

Though the Fiesta is a new model, check out our Ford Deals page to see if there are any discounts or incentives available.

• "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
• "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
• "The 2011 Ford Fiesta gives economy car shoppers reason to celebrate with its fun-to-drive personality, nicely trimmed cabin, tight build quality and unexpected features." -- Edmunds
• "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
• "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
• "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

Fiesta Performance - 9.4 (Excellent)

The Ford Fiesta gets the kind of performance reviews usually reserved for more expensive cars. Read More

Fiesta Exterior - 8.4 (Very Good)

For the most part, the Ford Fiesta's exterior gets positive reviews. Read More

Fiesta Interior - 8.9 (Very Good)

It's safe to say the interior in the Ford Fiesta blows reviewers away. In a class where interior space and features can be sparse, AutoWeek says, "The interior is a huge step forward. You're tempted when looking at a small car like this to think there isn't enough space for you and your stuff. The Fiesta proves you wrong."Read More

Fiesta Safety - 9.6 (Excellent)

The Ford Fiesta does very well in tests with the federal government and insurance industry. The Fiesta is a "Top Safety Pick" for 2011. Read More

Fiesta Reliability - 7.0 (Good)

The 2011 Ford Fiesta reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2011 Ford Fiesta warranty information hasn't been released yet. However, Ford covers its other vehicles with a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.