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2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000
 
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Ford Fiesta LX |
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At $18,990, the five-door 1.6-litre five-speed manual petrol Ford Fiesta LX, the latest iteration of Ford’s volume seller among the range, is dearer than its prime challengers. The Mazda2 Neo, Toyota Yaris YRS, Honda Jazz 1.3 GLi, Suzuki Swift and Hyundai Getz SX – all good, popular cars – are cheaper by between $1600 and $2650 in what is a price-sensitive category. But dollars aren’t everything and, in many other aspects, the challenger in the blue (oval) corner equals or outpoints the best of its classy opposition to be a worthy winner. In standard features, it represents value for money, boasting air-conditioning with pollen filter, steering that adjusts for tilt and reach, power steering, power mirrors and (tinted) windows, intermittent wipers, rear screen wiper, cruise control, split-fold rear seat, MP3 compatibility, Bluetooth and radio/CD player. Ditto safety. The little Ford gets dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution and adjustable front/rear headrests. There are also height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners/load limiters and reminders, and a centre-rear lap/sash seatbelt. By not including electronic stability control (ESC) as standard, Fiesta gets only four (out of five) stars in its ANCAP safety rating (but it’s is not alone there). An optional safety pack, which includes side and curtain airbags, driver’s knee airbag and ESC with brake assist and traction control, is recommended. Fiesta also scores well for security, featuring central locking with remote door opening, deadlocking (not found in many similar cars), plus stereo theft code protection. Interior space is about as good as it gets in a car of this size, and Fiesta stands out in the comfort stakes despite there being no lumbar support or cushion tilt to the front seats. There’s an accommodating boot, and judges were impressed with the redesign of what were already user-friendly ergonomics. A good practicality score could have been better had a full-sized (15-inch) alloy spare wheel been standard instead of a 14-inch temporary use item. Under the skin, Fiesta conforms to the category template of transverse in-line 16-valve, four-cylinder engine, front strut and rear torsion beam axle suspension, electric power-assisted rack and pinion steering and front-wheel-drive. Performance wise, it’s a little powerhouse. Where many others run out of puff, Fiesta continues to pull away convincingly in fourth and fifth gears. But straight-line prowess is only part of the story. Fiesta also impresses with crisp, fast steering and firm but compliant damping that eases out all but the most aggressive back road bumps, making for an accomplished ride. In fact, Fiesta LX is such an entertaining and rewarding drive that a Sport badge would not be out of place on its rump. And bigger section tyres enhance its braking ability, ensuring Fiesta has the whoa to match the go. One caution though: buyers taking up the four-speed automatic option ($1500) should note that, in this mode, Fiesta comes with a 1.4-litre engine, not the accomplished 1.6-litre unit available with the standard manual gearbox.
Finalists
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