Slightly Expensive

Exterior

Space age looks which have now been copied by the new verna are the best in the class. the car is not too high like the sx4 and not too low like the civic, so easy for young as well as elderly people to get in and out of the car. the sports model with company fitted 5 arm alloy wheels, side skirts, rear under diffuser and trunk wing give it a completely different look compared to the other cars.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

Music system was claimed to be from kenwood manufactured for ford, but i wonder if thats true? the music quality is exceptional with 4 speakers and 2 tweeters. dashboard has a nice feel, with instrument panel nicely arranged. distance to empty meter is a fresh welcome. abs with ebd make the car stop like dead weight, but there have been instances where i have felt otherwise. 195/55/r 15 tubeless tyres further add to the sports look. (michelin's website recommends 205/50/r 15 for the same car but that query is still unanswered by michelin). inadequte thigh support for the rear passengers is a drawback for long rides. driver and front passenger seats are average, though height adjustment is present only for the driver seat. boot release button is like no other and too good. integrated key with boot release is unique. ac is chillingly cold even on the most hot summer mumbai days and cools instantly. centre console feels made from cheap plastic. doors have single rubber beading making them noisy on closing compared to the city with double beading. 

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

Engine is out of this world with a pickup that no words can describe. sx4,city,verna,linea are only at the start line when this car is finishing the race. though the specs of 1596 cc with only 101 bhp makes one wonder if much is left to be desired, i must say the feeling is quickly evaporated once behind the wheel. the ecu mapping of the engine for better acceleration is definitely worth going in for this model compared to the other models of fiesta.

Slight disappointment on the fuel economy side as the worst mileage i got is 8 in stand still trafffic with ac on always to 14 on mumbai pune expressway at 140kmph speed with ac on always. though to my surprise if the car is driven at 60-70 on highway i have even got upto 18 kmpl with ac on.

Gearbox beats the crap out of any other other cars, its refined, and one can change gears without any problem.

Ride Quality & Handling

With sports tuned suspension and only 195 mm clearance one has to be careful with indian roads. though the suspension is smooth and eats up small potholes for breakfast the larger ones do make one sitting inside their presence felt. hydraulic power steering compared to electronic power steering of the honda feels heavy to maneuver but has its own advantages. handling at high speeds 190+ makes one lose confidence. the car handles well till 140, rattles at 145-160 and settles again at 160+. at my top speed of 195 kmph with full load( 5 hefty men and no luggage) the car doesnt swerve, but the steering feels very light giving a sense that one is losing control but somehow it folllows all the commands even at that speed and moves around easily.

Final Words

A few well thought of questions should answered before one gets the fiesta, though it is cheaper to other cars of the same segment it has terrible resale value, limited dealership locations with even further limited service centres, cost of spares have been reduced drastically but still are slightly expensive compared to the rest. This car is a wonderful delight if the above mentioned questions are not important. then this is the car one should buy with closed eyes. unfortunately that type of situation exists only with a few people like myself and hence that is the reason this car is not doing so well. before buying the car one can expect a lot of freebies while honda offers nothing.

 

Areas of improvement  

after sales service

brand image

rear disc braking system

bonnet  opening and closing is a pain

availability and cost of spare parts

kindly excuse all typos.

hope this review is useful. may you land with your dream car

smooth engine, gearbox, pickup, handling, alloy wheels, music system, integrated key, boot buttonindicator and bonnet opening button on left hand side