2014 Fiesta SE

2014 Fiesta SE

Have you ever noticed when you are out cruising for parking stalls how small they are? I know I want to park a bit closer than I do but for fear of the imminent door ding I end up walking a block or so. Often I think I need a smaller car just so I could potentially fit in one of the stalls, either that or a vehicle I just don’t care about - but as a car lover I know that won’t happen in this lifetime.

Ford gave me the opportunity to drive a vehicle that could possibly answer that issue. The Fiesta!

When given it to drive for a week, I was wondering how I would even fit in it, after all it is about as large as a toaster oven. All I remembered of the Fiesta was a little 1978 Fiesta my friend had that he wedged a 5.0L mustang engine in. Went like a scared rabbit, but there was no room to move once you wedged yourself in it.

I figured an open mind was the best way to go. As I approached the Fiesta, it was indeed a very small looking car as I suspected, but the surprise came when I opened the door. There was more than ample room as I dropped myself into the driver’s seat;  it was actually not bad for comfort. I was very impressed with the amenities this car is equipped with such as the heated seats, the large sunroof and even a cute little navigation screen. When I say cute little, I meant it, you would not think that knocking 1.5 inch off the size a touch screen makes a big difference, but it really does, I found it difficult to operate with my fat fingers.

So now here I was in the driver’s seat and I have set the power mirrors, dialed up some rock and roll music on the great My Ford Touch System. Now what? I turn to my phone and ask SIRI, my brain as I call her. “I am in a Fiesta, what would Ken Block do?” she responds with a few links to Gymkahna...oh that is tempting.

I decided instead to head for a mall and find a parking stall; I figure having a small car must have some benefits. It did indeed. There was no issue finding parking stalls and this was good being so close to Christmas as it was. I wandered inside to gather up some presents and as I came out I remembered I was in the Fiesta, where would I fit all of these goodies? Turns out it was not a problem, I opened the hatch and it devoured some pretty big gifts - color me impressed. I thought I could go grab more but my wallet said otherwise.

So as I head home on one of the nastiest days of winter we had seen in a while, I am noticing my other fear of small cars.

Small cars are generally very unstable in the snow and are often tossed about with every bump. This one is very stable on snow covered roads. It actually impressed me - I guess some modern day suspension tweaks and you can have a controllable little car. With the traction control on it wasn't bad at all, I can only imagine how impressive it would be with a good set of winter tires on it rather than these 16 inch 50 series donuts.

Another misconception I had was that it would have no room for people in the back seat; once again it proved me wrong. Although the car does say it seats five, if you want anyone in the back to be comfortable stick to two rear passengers. They will have a semi comfortable ride as long as they are not 6-footers.

I guess what it did for me was restore my faith in what small cars can be, they are no longer just puddle jumpers. The 1.6L engine actually felt peppy and somewhat responsive but I am sure the 5-speed manual gearbox had something to do with that. Rated at 6.9 L/100km, I was pleasantly surprised by the smallish petrol bill I had when it came time to return it, almost as if it was creating its own fuel somehow.

The pros very much outweigh the cons but in the society we live in where bigger equals better my ego would take over and suggest getting something more substantial, maybe a Focus or even a Fusion (My Ego is generally wrong). What I found in the end was something I would consider owning, a car that I could make use of, a car that suits some needs I have, and after all, why would Ken Block have one if they were not fun! 

Disclosure: this vehicle was provided by Ford of Canada