2011 Ford Fiesta: Love/Hate
When I found out I'd have the Ford Fiesta hatchback for a weekend trip to western Michigan in which I'd have two passengers plus our luggage, I was skeptical we'd make it there in comfort. Would my friend in the front seat spend two hours with his suitcase in his lap? Would the person in the backseat need to be unfolded from an accordion position once we reached our destination?
Although I wouldn't recommend this subcompact for a cross-country road trip with four adults, I can report we made it to our destination without a single passenger complaint. As long as you're not packing for more than a long weekend, the stylish hatchback handles gear with relative ease. But its surprising space wasn't what I liked best.
Love: Fuel economy
It was so nice to be able to set out from Chicago with half a tank of gas knowing I wouldn't have to scan highway exit signs for gas stations. If a hybrid car is out of your budget, the Fiesta's EPA-estimated combined mileage of 33 mpg would be a godsend for a daily commuter. I averaged about 34 mpg with mostly highway driving, but keep in mind the car was loaded down with three people and luggage.
Hate: Automatic transmission in stop-and-go traffic
Hate might be too strong of a word in this case. The automatic transmission bothered me, but it wouldn't prevent me from purchasing a Fiesta or anything. The six-speed automatic is actually a dual-clutch transmission meaning it uses two clutches, instead of a manual's single clutch, for better fuel economy. For the majority of the drive, this transmission setup functioned beautifully. However, in the occasional traffic jam or while pulling out of a toll plaza, I'd depress the accelerator only to have the transmission lag a few beats while it clearly tried to figure out what gear it wanted to be in. The lag wasn't present when accelerating gradually, but don't expect to make any quick maneuvers from a standstill.
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Thats it?
EPA average of 33? Geez, I thought this would get closer to 40 combined. my 95 Neon 5-spd gets 35combined and it has some really high miles on it.
2004-2007 Accord makes 34-36 HWY
Backseat legroom looks like a joke.My 88 Dodge Aries wagon has a true MID SIZE rear seat,and 30+ mpg to boot.Who needs a new car?
Many people have unrealistic expectations when it comes to modern small cars and fuel economy. People expect a smooth ride and to not feel like they are driving a tin can. They demand a powerful enough engine that they don't feel like they are piloting a lawnmower engine. And the government requires safety standards that didn't exist even 10 years ago. All these things add WEIGHT. There's a reason that a Honda civic from the 1980's gets 40 mpg or more. It's slow as hell, drives like crap, and isn't very safe. If you factor in the increase in weight, small cars are getting as good if not better mpg than ever.
The back seat is a JOKE!!! I've driven small cars before, but this is rediculous. The only people that will be able to drive this car comfortably are those of us that are UNDER 5 feet tall. I would buy a motorcycle before I would buy this piece of crap. The gas mileage is better on a motorcycle anyway, and I got more leg room.
P.S. Hey Ford, Bring back the Ranger. I can't afford the F-150. It costs too much in gas and I don't need a truck that big.
Reading these posts it became clear I accidentally stumbled upon the idiot board.
@Paul
stupid is as stupid does....
welcome to the idiot bus, your the driver!
^^ *you're
-EPA average of 33 is still some of the best out there today, in terms of modern cars. Keep in mind it's an average; it's based off 55% city, 45% highway driving according to the EPA.
-Don't expect to fit >6' tall passengers in a subcompact.
You have to keep in mind that this is a dual DRY clutch transmission.
There is actually two clutches, whereas VW's wet clutches are clutch packs. There are many surfaces to dissipate heat when slipping, where a dry clutch has but one interface.
So VW can be very smooth (just remember to change fluid & filter) but there is a limit to how smooth a dry double clutch can be.
Maybe Ford will add a 7th gear?
This is very disappointing. They took a highly thought of, snappy little european car, and dragged all the American (that means US) reviewers to Europe to try it and write it up for the American (that means US) public.
Then they yanked the manual (paddle shifters) out of the manual/automatic transmission, detuned it to reach an artificial goal of 40 mpg, and had a car that according to the review, doesn't go when you press the gas. (It's lost what, 2 seconds, in 0-60 from the european version.)
Then they made it in Mexico to sell as "made in America" (that means US.) I guess it is, sort of, but not as much as Toyotas or Hondas.
This reminds me of the way the PR flowed for the Ford Pinto.
I've put off buying my next car for months anticipating this, but I have to turn left from a stop against traffic every day.
This is a great car! I think you should drive one before deciding what to buy.
This was one of the worst car reviews I've ever read. The author obviously doesn't like cars.
Made in Mexico is the deal breaker for me. Cars slapped together in Mexico have lots of problems compared to identical models built in other countries.
When will they market an all electric car with a matched alternative energy recharging station.
No transmission problem with electric cars because electrics eliminate transmissions and many other troublesome high maintenance parts required in IC engine cars.
Actually I have had mine for 3 weeks now. I get about 42 miles to the gallon. My son is 6' tall and has no problem sitting in the back. It drives wonderful and is very smooth. I would recommend this car to anyone.
I like how people who have never driven this car say things about it. How's about this, don't review something you have never driven or own. I just bought one and the car handles better than my BMW I used to have. I am also pulling off 35mpg with an average of 29mph driving. It's a very great little car.
Just bought a 2011 Fiesta with the powershift auto. On my 70 mile commute I averaged 45.7 mpg. Granted, its almost all turnpike. WOW!!! I have found that if I drive a little slower, say 62mph, the engine is barely turning, say 2200rpm, the car is totally silent, no engine noise, and you could go from cleveland to new york city and still have some fumes in the tank. I am in LOVE!
I have 2011 ford fiesta with 4000 miles and it sometimes sounds like rocks in transmission area
Have owned 2011 Fiesta auto xmission two weeks and love it. I have been driving a 2002 Saturn VUE six cyl (which I am keeping)...so quite a change in feel etc. But I am 6'2" over 200# and seat is comfortable,mileage is close to 38 or so on highway trip. Of course, accel from standstill is as expected, but from about 20mph you can easily accel to merge. I think for the money it is has tremendous value.
Thanks to those of you who actually OWN a Fiesta for you comments. As a potential buyer, I appreciate honest feedback.
I just bought a 2011 Ford Fiesta and have a problem with the AC dripping onto the floor mat on the passenger side. Has anyone else experienced this? The service area at the dealer said is must be condinsation. Not sure I agree. Other than that I really like the Fiesta, though a manual transmission would help with acceleration.
"Although I wouldn't recommend this subcompact for a cross-country road trip with four adults"
I did just that and I do not recommend it either. For performance, comfort fuel-efficiency, flashiness and value, I would.
Well my Ford Fiesta had less then 1800 miles on it when the transmission started chattering while holding a steady traffic speed of 30 MPH after it warmed up. Now it does it bad between 30 and 55 MPH, still after it is warmed up. It’s nine with its cold. Also twice after putting 2900 miles on the car, the transmission would not release when trying to stop at a stop light. It drove me through a red light, TWICE. It was as if I was driving a manual transmission car and forgot to put the clutch in. Scared me to death, but I am forced to keep driving it. Took it to Kline Motors, a Ford dealership in Winfield KS. They said they worked on it for 2 hours and charged me over $175 and did absolutely NOTHING except tell me the transmission need replaced for $5200. For 2 hours work they did not even up-date the computer that drives the transmission. I bet they mechanic never even touched it. Ford will not cover it because the car was in a very minor fender bender and the title was marked rebuilder. What a cop out. What ticks me off about Kline’s is I told them I re-built the car, which was nothing more than a front bumper cover and AC lines for the most part and all the parts were OEM parts. I asked Kline’s to check the VIN to make sure Ford would cover it and they said it would still be covered to 36,000 miles. Why the car was flagged by the insurance company I have no idea, but Ford is sure using it as an excuse not to touch it.
In any case I got a piece of crap Ford Fiesta that I am scared to death to drive but for now am stuck with it every day, and every day wondering if it’s going to drive me through another intersection to get hit by someone. If I was Ford I would be scared to death with these cars on the road. This should be a safety issue and the NTSB should force them to make a re-call on them for safety reasons.
So, does anyone have any ideas on what parts I need to replace to fix this transmission? I sure can’t afford a new one at $5200. That is crazy.
I have a 2011 Ford Fiesta with just over 5K on it purchased new 4 mos ago..I am in love.
This car is so damn smooth on the highway, gets great fuel economy and is comfortable as ever to drive.
It's extremely snappy on the road and yes, the backseats would not be comfortable for a 6 hour journey if you were 6'8, but for the average adult they are just fine, let's be realistic, this is the "smallest" car that FORD makes and they have done a great job!