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Saudi Woman Faces Charges For Driving During Emergency
Residents of the United States likely take their driving privileges for granted. Not so in Saudi... Read More
Saudi Woman Faces Charges For Driving During Emergency
Residents of the United States likely take their driving privileges for granted. Not so in Saudi... Read More
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Ford's upcoming 2011 Fiesta subcompact is being targeted at what Ford calls "urban millenials," a group that consists mostly of young and single--or married sans children--city dwellers. But given the car's price point--the Fiesta starts at just under $14,000--there will be some families who might investigate the Fiesta as a choice for family duties.
So the question is, then: Does a car intended for the youth crowd work well as a family hauler?
First, some basics. Fiesta is available as a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback. There is only one engine choice: A 1.6-liter four-cylinder that makes 120 horsepower and 112 lb-ft of torque. Two transmissions--a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic--are available. The automatic uses a dual-dry clutch setup instead of a conventional torque converter, but enthusiasts may be saddened, as no paddle shifters are offered.
Trim levels are as follows: S, SE, and SEL on the sedan, SE and SES on the hatchback. Ford is offering features that are usually found on more-expensive models, such as heated seats, Ford's SYNC multimedia suite, advance keyless entry and a push-button start, and electric power steering. Ford also gave Fiesta two new features that could affect driving dynamics: Drift-pull compensation, which compensates for the effects of grooved pavement; and Active Nibble Cancellation (yes, that's the name), which is meant to adjust for any wheel-balance problems that might come up.
EPA numbers aren't finalized yet, but Ford is claiming 29 mpg city and 38 mpg highway for the manual transmission, and 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway for automatic-transmission cars.
Safety features include traction control, an antiskid system, and seven airbags, including a driver's side knee airbag.
So, how does the Fiesta stack up as a family car? Well, as is so often the answer to questions like that: It depends.
I had the chance to drive the Fiesta in the mountains south of San Francisco, as well as in city traffic and on area freeways, and I found the hatchback to be the sportier choice--the car that will most appeal to singles who live in Manhattan or Boston. For families, the sedan makes the better choice.
