But if the Fiesta’s chassis leads the way for superminis, then its interior surely brings up the rear. Not in space – the tall body shape and long wheelbase means there’s ample room for four adults. But the same penny pinching that harmed the dynamics of Fords fifteen years ago is alive and well in the Fiesta’s cabin.
First to disappoint is the dashboard, an ergonomically sound and durable but entirely drab mix of dark plastics that comes as such a disappointment after the bold interiors of the Micra and even the Focus.
But the Fiesta’s problems are more than aesthetic and include the high-set seat and rake-only adjustable steering column which` force a bus-like driving position. Road noise is also an irritant and the absence of any resting place for the left foot becomes a genuine pain on longer journeys.
There’s little between the old and new power units when it comes to running costs. Both fall into the lowest 15 per cent bracket for company car tax and attract the same group 3 insurance ratings, as do most rivals.
But the 1.25 should prove slightly more frugal than the 1.3 – we managed a respectable 34.8mpg average on a test route that took in performance testing and a large chunk of urban driving and the official combined figures hand a slight advantage to the smaller motor.