Which Ford Fiesta model is best?
Wondering which Ford Fiesta model is best suited to your needs? Discover the perfect choice for you with cinch’s guide.
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The Ford Fiesta is an incredibly popular car, with offerings for the whole family including practical, luxurious, adventurous and sporty variants.
The final seventh-generation model was launched in 2017, but it received a few updates over the years to keep things feeling and looking sharp.
They included a minor revision to trim levels and engine options in 2020 and a more extensive facelift in 2022 that introduced a new front-end design and more car tech inside.
This guide relates to the seventh-generation model, sold between 2017 and 2023, but because Ford tweaked the car on an almost annual basis, it’s highly recommended that you check out any individual listing to make sure it comes with what you want.
Best Ford Fiesta engines
The best option by far is the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine – it’s turbocharged, so it’s quicker and has the potential to be more efficient than more basic options.
There are 95hp, 100hp, 125hp, 140hp and 155hp variants of this seriously impressive engine, and we think it’s one of the best small engines around. The 125hp variant offers enough power without compromising fuel efficiency.
The 125hp variant was upgraded halfway through its time on sale to include mild hybrid tech to reduce emissions, while the 155hp version is only available with mild hybrid assistance.
Some lower trim levels come with 70hp or 85hp 1.1-litre petrol engines. They feel quite underpowered in comparison, but they’re great for keeping running costs down for new drivers.
There was also a 1.5-litre diesel on sale for a short period, but it was discontinued because many drivers started to turn their backs on diesel power. It came in 85hp and 120hp forms.
The final option, only available in the performance Fiesta ST models, is a 200hp 1.5-litre petrol engine. It’s good for 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds.
Ford Fiesta Style
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When the seventh-generation model first launched, Style was the cheapest model you could buy. It came with wheel trims and a basic, button-operated radio.
You’ll still get things like air-conditioning, remote central locking, automatic headlights and Bluetooth connectivity.
Ford Fiesta Zetec
Zetec is a step above Style, and you get quite a lot of bang for your buck, including alloy wheels and a heated windscreen.
This car also gets a significant lighting upgrade, with stylish LED daytime running lights and front fog lights that illuminate individually when cornering.
The Zetec model also comes with the company’s slick, easy-to-use SYNC 3 touchscreen infotainment system, which works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Ford Fiesta B&O Play Zetec
As the name suggests, this special edition model comes with an upgraded B&O sound system. It also gets built-in sat-nav and a few styling and colour tweaks.
Ford Fiesta Trend
A few years into this car being on sale, Trend indirectly replaced Style and Zetec. Expect things like alloys, a heated windscreen, air-conditioning, the SYNC 3 system and bright LED headlights.
Ford Fiesta Titanium
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When buying a Ford Fiesta, you have three options. The first, and possibly the most popular, is the luxurious option.
Ford Fiesta Titanium
This car is the entry point into a more well-equipped supermini. It has automatic wipers, automatic high beams, cruise control and keyless start.
Inside, you get an upgraded infotainment system with built-in sat-nav and a digital climate control system.
A 2020 update added rear parking sensors to this trim level.
Ford Fiesta B&O Play Titanium
Like the other B&O model above, this car gains an upgraded B&O sound system and a few other styling tweaks.
Ford Fiesta Titanium X
This is where things get serious because this high-spec model has heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and part-leather upholstery.
Outside, there’s a reversing camera and heated windscreen washer jets, plus you gain keyless entry on top of the keyless start that’s in most other Fiesta models.
Ford Fiesta Titanium Vignale
This trim level arrived with the major 2022 facelift, and it’s very similar to the Titanium X. Standard equipment is almost identical, but you also get a high-tech digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel.
Ford Fiesta Vignale
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Vignale is a seriously plush trim level used across most of the Ford range, and in this posh Fiesta, you get soft leather upholster and an openable panoramic sunroof.
Ford Fiesta Active
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The second of two routes into Fiesta ownership above the basic models is the rugged crossover route. These unique models have a higher ride height and more robust styling, such as plastic inserts around the bumpers.
Ford Fiesta Active 1
Earlier on, this was the cheapest Active variant you could get, but because it was based on the affordable Zetec model, standard kit wasn’t as good as other Active variants.
You still get to benefit from the off-road-inspired style and a model-specific ‘Slippery’ drive mode, although all Fiesta variants are front-wheel-drive only.
Ford Fiesta Active B&O Play
Unsurprisingly, this car has an upgraded B&O sound system. It also has cruise control and automatic wipers.
Ford Fiesta Active
This model came as part of the 2022 facelift, so it’s generally pretty well-equipped. Standard kit includes rear parking sensors, automatic wipers, cruise control, automatic high beams and built-in sat-nav.
Ford Fiesta Active Edition
Active Edition came just before the facelift, and it comes with all the essentials, like rear parking sensors, automatic wipers and sat-nav.
Ford Fiesta Active X
One of the earlier Active variants, this high-spec trim level adds things like part-leather upholstery, heated front seats, sat-nav and digital climate control.
Other car tech includes keyless entry, cruise control, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.
Ford Fiesta Active X Edition
A slightly newer car that arrived before the major 2022 facelift, Active X Edition cars include part-leather seats, keyless entry and wireless phone charging.
Ford Fiesta Active Vignale
Active Vignale versions are smart-looking post-facelift cars. They come with all the bells and whistles, like a reversing camera, keyless entry, and heating for the front seats and steering wheel.
They also get digital climate control and a screen behind the wheel in place of conventional dials.
Ford Fiesta ST-Line
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The final option when upgrading from basic Fiesta models is to go down the sporty route, which many drivers do when buying their Fiestas.
Ford Fiesta ST-Line
The biggest difference for this entry-level sporty variant is the more aggressive styling, which includes touches of leather and plenty of darker details like black headlining.
The 2022 facelift added rear parking sensors, cruise control, automatic high beams and sat-nav to this model.
Ford Fiesta ST-Line X
A worthwhile upgrade, even earlier versions of this car come with automatic high beams, automatic wipers, cruise control, sat-nav and digital climate control.
Ford Fiesta ST-Line Edition
On sale just before the 2022 facelift, an ST-Line Edition car comes with rear parking sensors, sat-nav, cruise control and automatic wipers.
Ford Fiesta ST-Line X Edition
This is an upgrade on the above model, and it includes electronic climate control, a B&O sound system, keyless entry, wireless phone charging and part-leather upholstery.
Ford Fiesta ST-Line Vignale
A Fiesta ST-Line Vignale is a seriously stylish model, but it’s also well-equipped. It comes with a reversing camera, keyless entry and a digital dash behind the steering wheel.
Ford Fiesta ST
Sold as a separate model, the Fiesta ST is considered one of the most enjoyable hot hatches to drive, thanks to its responsive steering and firm suspension.
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Ford Fiesta ST-1
Built on the style of ST-Line models, the ST-1 was only on sale for a short period when the seventh-generation car went on sale.
It adds a few sporty details like tweaked driving modes for added responsiveness and Recaro sports seats, plus it gets the impressive 200hp engine.
Ford Fiesta ST-2
Earlier on, this car had digital climate control, heated front seats and a B&O sound system, but when the ST-1 was discontinued, this model became the entry point to hot hatch ownership and some luxuries like heated seats were removed.
Ford Fiesta ST-3
This range-topping model comes with everything you’ll ever need, such as navigation, automatic wipers, keyless entry, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and heating for the front seats and steering wheel.
In 2020, it was upgraded with wireless phone charging and a B&O sound system, and in 2022 it got a digital instrument cluster and matrix LED headlights that adapt to prevent blinding oncoming traffic.
Which is the best Ford Fiesta model?
With so many cars to pick from, the choice is endless. If you’re on a budget, we think the Zetec model offers the best value for money.
For something a little more luxurious, older Titanium X or newer Titanium Vignale cars are seriously impressive and offer almost as much as the more expensive Vignale cars.
If you like the off-road looks of the Active variants, it’s worth upgrading from an Active 1 or Active B&O Play to something like a 2020-onward Active Edition, a 2022-onward Active, or an older Active X.
Finally, if you like the idea of a sports car with a more economical engine, then the ST-Line family is the way to go, and the higher-spec ST-Line X, ST-Line X Edition and ST-Line Vignale cars offer the most bang for your buck.