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Are Goals For 40-MPG 2011 Ford Fiesta Subcompact Too Ambitious?

 
4,005 views May 20, 2010
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2011 Ford Fiesta

2009 Los Angeles Auto Show

2009 Los Angeles Auto Show

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We're eagerly looking forward to the arrival of the 2011 Ford Fiesta, the first truly modern subcompact from Ford in many years.

The greenest Fiesta is rated at 40 miles per gallon on the highway, and the car has been widely praised for its dynamic styling, the high-quality interior, and an array of options normally found only on larger vehicles.

But we hear continuing skepticism from colleagues at other outlets about the Fiesta's prospects.

U.S. buyers think subcompacts are unsafe, they say. And everyone wants the largest car they can afford. And besides, who would pay upwards of $20,000 for the fanciest version of a subcompact?

We're prompted to consider the question again by Ford's announcement of the Fiesta's EPA fuel efficiency ratings.

The base five-speed manual version comes in at 28 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, but Ford will likely highlight the version with the $1,750 PowerShift automatic manual gearbox: 29 mpg city, 40 mpg highway.

We suspect that a new generation of younger buyers will take to the Fiesta despite--or perhaps because of--its size.

They're the folks who have helped establish and maintain the subcompact market in the U.S. The Fiesta faces some stiff competition against the Honda Fit, the Nissan Versa, and the Toyota Yaris.

Our colleagues at Motor Authority asked whether the Fiesta is overreaching, so we'll ask Green Car Reports readers the same thing.

Tell us in the Comments below: Do you think the Fiesta will be a success? Would you pay $20,000 for a nicely-equipped 2011 Ford Fiesta?

[Ford via Motor Authority]


HI-RES GALLERY: 2011 Ford Fiesta




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Comments (10)

  1. By eonac Posted: 5/20/2010 7:36am PDT

    Not sure I would pay up to the 20K point. I have one ordered for 16.5k Which is in my opinion pretty optioned out. I did however go with the Manual trany.
     
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  2. By FiestaMania Posted: 5/20/2010 3:14pm PDT

    Considering that I have ordered the vehicle, I think it is well worth it. Getting a smaller car without losing many of the features of a large car is something that makes sense for someone who wants those features and doesn't feel that size really matters. Down with SUV's and gas guzzlers! =)
     
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  3. By Rick petitfils Posted: 5/22/2010 6:22pm PDT

    I am in my fifties and have ordered a new Fiesta. I am getting all the bells and whistles and it will cost 20 grand. I have a Ford Fusion as a company car and own a Ford Focus. I have never had problems with my cars. I will be buying my wife a new Edge in the fall. I hope to have my new Fiesta in early July.
     
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  4. By Ted Schmitt Posted: 5/24/2010 5:12am PDT

    No, I would not pay $20,000 for a nicely-equipped Fiesta. Then again, I would not HAVE to pay that much for a well-equipped Fiesta. I would skip the leather (which is normally very thin in small cars) and the automatic (I prefer to shift my own gears). Equipped as I would buy one, the Fiesta is only about $18,000. As for the competitors, the Fit gets disqualified on it's mis-proportioned styling, the Versa is ugly, and the Yaris doesn't make the list because of the absurd name (just what does "Yaris" mean anyway).
     
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  5. By FormerFiestan Posted: 5/24/2010 10:06am PDT

    I believe the most important factor in mileage will be the driver. If the driver uses the old "oil embargo" era driving rules, they may even surpass the 40mpg.
    Back in 1978, I bought one of the first Fiestas new. The only thing that ever seemed to go wrong was a brand new device called a catalytic converter. Other than that it was great. One of the best I have ever owned. Peppy around town,l I was easily able to get better than the 41mpg EPA on the freeway. On one freeway trip, I was able to get more than 49mpg (with the 1.6L Kent engine). Overseas, they had a number of after-market upogrades available to sport-up the vehicle even more.
    If the new Fiesta is anything like its predecesser, it will be great.
    I'd like to see additional engine sizes offered -- perhaps a 1.0L and/or a 1.2L diesel for even better gas mileage....
    I still miss my Fiesta (v1978) and killing it off in the US was one of the stupidest moves Ford did over the last 30 years...
    Even my father, who loved loved Lincolns and other large cars, loved to drive my Fiesta. On overseas trips, he would rent one.
     
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  6. By Dan Posted: 5/27/2010 2:33pm PDT

    I have a Fiesta on order for $16,000. $20,000 is out of my comfort zone for any car. I wanted a nice small, something nice, it better be, or I'll just keep my old car, which was also about $16,500.
     
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  7. By Brian Posted: 6/4/2010 11:52am PDT

    I want American companies to be the most competitive so I hope it lives up to its hype for Fords sake. I'm considering the Fiesta or the Fit sport but I'm not in their target market "new generation of younger buyers" and I don't believe "everyone wants the largest car they can afford" otherwise American boat cars of the past would still be around.
     
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  8. By Rob Posted: 6/7/2010 3:31pm PDT

    I already have. =] Put in my order on 04/04.
     
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  9. By Steve Posted: 7/13/2010 8:16pm PDT

    It's about time that a new mentality takes over where we stop with the gas guzzling wasteful cars and embrace a more European attitude. The car IS safe, efficient, quite, comfortable, and worth the money. My dream is to drive by my local auto wreckers and seeing SUVs for as far as the eye can see, waiting to be unceremoniously consumed by the crusher. Small is in. Small is the future. Embrace it.
     
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  10. By Martha Posted: 2/24/2011 10:34am PST

    My 2011 Ford Fiesta hatchback automatic is awesome! Silver exterior with beautiful high quality cashmere leather seats. I am 60 yr. old female and have been driving a 2002 Toyota Avalon for years. This little car drives and corners like a dream and is much more in sync with my driving style. Reminds me of my 1990 Celica (which I actually bought new and drove for 9 years). Oh and then there's the MPG; icing on the cake. This is a fun, fun car; and where else can you get a car with upscale aminities and a sports car vibe, for under 20 Grand!?
     
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