Ford Fiesta Mk5 review - Auto Express

Under the skin was a new platform that was developed in partnership with Mazda, which gave the Mk5 Fiesta a much needed boost in interior room. SkiptoContentSkiptoFooterRoadtestsHomeFordFiestaThecompleteFordFiestareview:Mk1toMk7testedFordFiestaMk5reviewTheFordFiestaMk5's2002revampaddedrefinementtothedrivingthrillsby:AutoExpressteam30Dec20161Introduction2FordFiestaMk1(1976-1983)3FordFiestaMk2(1983-1989)4FordFiestaMk3(1989-1997)5FordFiestaMk4(1995-2002)6FordFiestaMk5(2002-2008)-currentlyreading7FordFiestaMk6(2008-date)8FordFiestaMk7:firstlook8BuyusedforlessatBuyacarBythetimethefifth-generationFiestamadeitsentrancein2002,buyerswereclamouringforpremiumbrandsandupmarketdesign.Asaresult,thesoftcurvesoftheoldcarwereditchedinfavourofamoreimposing,angularlookthattookitscuesfromthehandsomeMk2Mondeo.UndertheskinwasanewplatformthatwasdevelopedinpartnershipwithMazda,whichgavetheMk5Fiestaamuchneededboostininteriorroom.However,thefamiliarstrutfrontsuspensionandtorsionbeamrearaxleremained,asdidthepetrolengineline-up,meaningthismodelwasasgoodtodriveasever. Thebiggestmechanicalchangecameintheformoftheadvanced1.4and1.6-litreTDCidieselsthatwereproducedincollaborationwithFrenchmanufacturersPeugeotandCitroen.Offeringexcellentrefinementandeconomy,thesegutsyengineswereafarcryfromthe1.8-litrenaturallyaspirateddieselthatcouldtraceitsrootsbackto1983and,uptothispoint,hadbeentheonlydieselchoice.•BestsuperminisThebignewsforfastFordfanswasthearrivaloftheST,whichpackedamuscular148bhp2.0-litreengineintotheFiesta’scompactbodyandfeaturedloweredandstiffenedsuspensionforanevenmoreentertainingdrivingexperience.Climbaboardourimmaculate2005LXmodelandit’sclearFordwastryingtomakethecarmoregrown-up.Theuprightdashhasasolidlookandfeel,whiletheswitchgearissharedwiththeFocus.Onthemoveyouimmediatelynoticethestepupinrefinementoveritspredecessor,whiletherideisevenmorecomposed.However,theengineshavetoworkthatbithardertoovercometheextrakerbweight,whilethehandlingisn’tquiteassharp.Still,formanybuyersthiswasapriceworthpayingfortheincreaseinpracticality,comfortandupmarketdesirability.FiestaFact: Upmarketdesignandlargercabinhelpedbroadencar’sappeal,andnewturbodieselsandstabilitycontrolalsoarrived.ThecompleteFordFiestareview•FordFiestaMk1review•FordFiestaMk2review•FordFiestaMk3review•FordFiestaMk4review•FordFiestaMk5review•FordFiestaMk6review•FordFiestaMk7firstlookGoBacktoFordFiestaMk4(1995-2002)ContinueReadingFordFiestaMk6(2008-date)NextStepsFindadealerNewcardealsInthisreview1IntroductionTheFordFiestais40yearsold!Weseehowthenewcarcomparestoitssixpredecessors2FordFiestaMk1(1976-1983)Fortyyearson,theoriginalFordFiestasuperminiisstilllotsoffun3FordFiestaMk2(1983-1989)Second-generationFordFiestatoppedsaleschartsforsixyears4FordFiestaMk3(1989-1997)TheFiestaMk3grewupasitheadedintotheNineties,plusbroughtustheexcellentXR2i5FordFiestaMk4(1995-2002)Mondeo-inspiredMk4FordFiestaisablasttodrive,butnowshowsitsage6FordFiestaMk5(2002-2008)-currentlyreadingTheFordFiestaMk5's2002revampaddedrefinementtothedrivingthrills7FordFiestaMk6(2008-date)Boldlooksandhi-techkitontheFiestaMk6raisedthebarevenhigherin20088FordFiestaMk7:firstlookStrikingnewMk7FiestapromisesanotherstepupintechandfunCarsSharethisonTwitterSharethisonFacebookEmailHaveyouconsidered?NewSkodaFabiaMonteCarlo2022reviewRoadtestsNewSkodaFabiaMonteCarlo2022reviewNewSkodaFabiaMonteCarloaddssportylooksandextrapowerwithnew1.5TSIengineoption,butit'sstillfarfromahothatch3Aug2022SuzukiSwacereviewIn-depthreviewsSuzukiSwacereviewTheSuzukiSwacehasgenuinefamilycarcredentials,butcouldstruggletostandoutamongitstalentedrivals1Aug2022SkodaFabia:long-termtestreviewLong-termtestsSkodaFabia:long-termtestreviewFirstreport:Weheadbacktothepetrolpumpswithournewfamilysupermini10Jul2022MostPopularNew2025LandRoverDiscoverysetforluxuryreinventionNewsNew2025LandRoverDiscoverysetforluxuryreinventionTheLandRoverDiscoverynameplatecouldspawnafamilyofmodelsliketheDefender4Aug2022NewVauxhallAstra2022reviewRoadtestsNewVauxhallAstra2022reviewThenewVauxhallAstrahasarrivedintheUKtotakeontheVolkswagenGolfandFordFocus3Aug2022NewRivianR1T2022reviewRoadtestsNewRivianR1T2022reviewThenewall-electricRivianR1Tpick-uptruckboasts754bhpand1,1120Nmoftorque4Aug2022SkiptoHeaderSkiptoContent