Ford Fiesta 2006 Review

Fiesta's latest addition is the Zetec model. Released in March, it is the top three-door model in the Fiesta family, and has been slapped with the sporty label.

Fitted with new front and rear body-coloured bumpers, grille design, headlamps, which especially afford it a sporty look, rear tail lamps and tapered side body mouldings, it could be argued that the Fiesta has had the Beckham makeover of style and flare. But don't expect too much, just because of the sporty tag.

It sits in the small car segment and the Zetec is priced at $18,490.

The athletic qualities of the Zetec stretches to the sports suspension, the 16-inch alloy wheels and a revised manual transmission with a closer ratio gear set.

Take a step inside and you'll find a cosy interior with modern and creative trim, available in three different designs for the Zetec model, although these interiors are a little on the plain side in comparison to those offered in the other Fiesta models.

While the seats may feel a little firm at first, they do get comfortable after time, and the adjustable head-rests in the back look great. They are very practical to suit all, short and tall, although loftier people will suffer in the leg-room department in the back seats.

The gadgets are easy to use and very straightforward, but the extra radio controls do not appear on the steering wheel like on most new cars. Instead they feature on a bulky lever behind the steering wheel, below the blinker, making it hard to reach. It's easier to use the main radio controls.

The major annoyance of this car is the blinker, a minor thing perhaps, but it sounds like popcorn cooking and it can get pretty frustrating for anyone who gets irritated easily. Hence during my test drive, the radio was turned up and got a fairly good workout.

Turning sharp corners produces some resistance on the wheel, with heavy steering required. There is a bit of pull when doing a U-turn or manoeuvring in tight car parks.

In this generation of the Fiesta, airconditioning comes as standard and manual transmission versions are fitted with an input facility for an iPod or MP3 player.

The Zetec is also available in three new colours, with the car tested here a Sea Grey, a little dull for my liking, but it did have a certain sense of style about it.

The ability of the engine is not the most exciting available and behind the wheel it won't exactly give you that buzzing sensation you may experience in more expensive and powerful cars. However, for its class and price, it produces fairly competitive figures in the small car range.

Its 74kW at 6000rpm is equal to or a little less than similar vehicles and on the torque front, it produces a slightly higher figure, with 146Nm at 4000rpm.

The 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine trots along fairly confidently, with sufficient power in the lower gears and it travels comfortably when it hits the higher speeds.

The Zetec is the middle child in the Fiesta range, with the three-door LX manual at $15,990 and big brother Ghia only available in five door, with the manual priced at $20,490.

With a 6.8-litres/100km combined claimed fuel consumption, the Fiesta has a slightly higher fuel consumption than its small car competitors. The Honda Jazz VTi has uses a claimed 6.0-litres per 100km, the Toyota Yaris burns 6.1-litres per 100km and the Hyundai Getz uses 6.2-litres over this distance.

I couldn't notice much difference in the handling and style between of the LX model and the sportier Zetec. This suggests the cheaper LX model is worth consideration, especially if you want to save $2500.

Overall, the Fiesta seems to have most qualities people want in a small car.