Ford: Festive Fiesta

Never mind the bright colour, the new Ford hatchback comes with formidable standard features. Photo / Jacqui Madelin

This Ford Fiesta's predecessor felt like a grown-up car to drive, but its prozac-personality meant it sold in smaller numbers than it deserved.

The new version should have no such trouble. It delivers edgy, muscular lines clearly inspired by Ford's family face. It's got a characterful interior, the layout inspired by a mobile phone interface. There's a frugal 1.4-litre petrol engine and a more powerful 1.6, plus a features list that would embarrass far pricier cars, at a mid-20s price bracket.

Mind you, our test 1.4 also featured this rather - um - interesting magenta paint, which evoked purple-rinsed rellies and adds a hefty $1000 to the bill.

Whatever the colour, this Fiesta's eye-catching design doesn't compromise usefulness That dash is easy to navigate, in part because of voice control of the integrated Bluetooth and the sound system.

Yep, tap a button and you can choose radio frequencies and stations, or hop to your iPod, USB port or CD by voice alone. Stuck? A plaintive "help" and the woman in the dash offers you a menu. Good stuff.

Hands-free control is a safety feature of course. Using a cellphone while driving is not the only in-car distraction; fiddling with the radio can take your eyes off the road.

That Ford is serious about safety is obvious - Fiesta is more affordable than Honda's Jazz, yet delivers five airbags (including a knee bag), plus ABS and stability control, the tally assisting towards the car's five-star crash test rating.

Got the radio set? Around town, on the motorway or on open roads you'll find this 1.4-litre unit matched to the four-speed auto scampers along quite nicely, though my lead foot meant the car drank two litres per 100km more than Ford's claim.

Things weren't so good on more demanding roads, particularly with hills involved. The handling can take it - Fiesta's compliant ride and nimble footwork meant it's easy to conserve momentum. Which was vital, for the tallish gearing, the smallish engine and the auto's 47kg weight hike over the 1.6 manual meant this Fiesta ran out of breath rather quickly on my hilly commute.

Many drivers won't mind a relaxed power delivery. Those who do should consider the 1.6.

Otherwise there's little to complain about and much to like - particularly the attention to detail, with touches like an iPod cubby next to the aux port revealing the thought that's gone into even the minutae of this car.

FORD FIESTA 1.4 ZETEC

We like
Funky styling, confident handling, high-tech features.

We don't like.
Asthmatic 1.4 four-speed auto.

Powertrain
1.4-litre four, 71kW at 6000rpm, 128Nm at 4200rpm, four speed auto drives front wheels.

Performance
0-100km/h not available, 6.5l/100km claim.

Safety
Five airbags, stability control, ABS with EBD and BA.

What it's got
Air con, CD player with USB and aux, Bluetooth, cruise control, and more.

Vital stats
3950mm long, 281-litre boot, 42-litre tank.