2019 Ford Fiesta Review

Name: 2019 Ford Fiesta Review
Brand: Ford

Price Range: $7,999 - $16,998

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by Cameron Rogers^{Manager, Written Content
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. As a manager of written content, he writes and edits the reviews that help consumers find their perfect car. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).}

Pros

Sporty handling in turns
Well-appointed interior with advanced technology options
ST model's zesty performance

Cons

Limited cargo and rear-seat space
Some rivals offer better ride quality and seat comfort

What's new

Hatchback's base S trim has been dropped, as has the luxe Titanium trim
New ST Line trim brings sporty styling to the standard Fiesta
Part of the first Fiesta generation introduced for 2011

Ford has said it will stop producing sedans and most of its hatchbacks over the next few years, given the buying public's proclivity for crossovers. That's unfortunate because the 2019 Ford Fiesta is one of the best subcompact cars on the market.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

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New Listing
2019 Ford Fiesta
SE Sedan
$7,999
good price
$2,124 below market
- 95,850 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 27 City / 35 Hwy MPG
- Auto 2 Go (65 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
- Alarm
Close
Located in Marrero, LA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
30 Combined MPG (27 City/35 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 3FADP4BJ9KM143190
Stock: 120
Certified Pre-Owned: No
New Listing
2019 Ford Fiesta
SE 4dr Hatchback
$14,599
- 67,431 miles
- 1 accident, 1 owner, personal use only
- 27 City / 35 Hwy MPG
- CarMax Baton Rouge (11 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
- Alarm
Close
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
CarMax values transparency and wants you to love your next car, not settle on it. Certain vehicles may have unrepaired safety recalls. Check nhtsa.gov...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
30 Combined MPG (27 City/35 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 3FADP4EJ1KM125942
Stock: 26896723
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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Low prices are essential for these pint-size sedans and hatchbacks, and the Fiesta is no different. Work your way up from the thrifty base trim, however, and you'll find a small car that offers thrills and a sense of style that few in this segment can match. While the standard Fiesta is relatively fun to drive, the real gem in the lineup is the range-topping ST model. It's quite pricey — about 50 percent more expensive than the base Fiesta — but the Fiesta ST has serious performance cred.

Some other subcompacts offer more room and a bigger cargo area — notably, the Honda Fit — but the 2019 Ford Fiesta's personality might win you over. If you're in the market for a small car that offers a little something extra, be sure to check out the Fiesta while you still can — this will be the Fiesta's last year of production.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

8.2 / 10

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Ford Fiesta Sedan SE (1.6L inline-4 | 6-speed dual-clutch automatic | FWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2014, the current Fiesta has received some revisions, including some changes to standard and optional equipment. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Fiesta, however.

Scorecard

Overall	8.2 / 10
Driving	8.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.0
Utility	7.0

Driving

8.5

Like other subcompacts, the Fiesta isn't blessed with extra power, and it's not helped by the twin-clutch PowerShift automatic-like transmission in typical driving. Still, enthusiasts will enjoy the sportily tuned chassis.

Acceleration

9.0

The 1.6-liter four-cylinder never feels strong. The Fiesta covers 0-60 mph in 9.4 seconds, average for the segment.

Braking

8.0

The brake pedal has an intuitive feel out on the road. Its emergency stopping distances are average for the class.

Steering

9.0

The steering is nice and quick with good feedback and makes you relish any corner or freeway on-ramp. The Fiesta's sportiness is aided by a grippy, thick-rimmed steering wheel.

Handling

8.5

Around turns is where the Fiesta separates itself. A well-tuned suspension makes it fun to drive.

Comfort

8.0

As subcompacts go, the Fiesta lags behind a few competitors in comfort, mostly in terms of ride quality and the seats. But it's one of the quietest cars in the class.

Seat comfort

6.5

There's not a lot of padding, and the cloth material feels scratchy when you're wearing shorts. There's also minimal adjustability. Plus the seatback lever is of poor design, hidden by the seat belt.

Ride comfort

7.5

Not overly surprising since Ford leans toward sportiness with the Fiesta, the ride quality can be a bit choppy, compounded by the short wheelbase. Better seat padding would help, too.

Noise & vibration

9.0

The Fiesta is one of the quietest cars in the class at 70 mph cruising speed. It's good for this class, but not compared to a bigger car. The tires are quiet, but you can always hear the little four-cylinder engine working.

Interior

8.0

The Fiesta has a few touches here and there that let you know Ford is trying to make you feel special. It's assembled well, the Sync 3 system is intuitive, and the interior is functional and easy to use.

Ease of use

6.0

The interior systems and buttons are labeled well and straightforward, especially the cruise control.

Getting in/getting out

8.0

The Fiesta is a fairly upright car with a tall roof and wide-opening front doors, making entry easy. But the rear doors don't open nearly as far, making it difficult to enter what is already a small space.

Roominess

7.5

Front headroom is plentiful, but the car's narrowness means front occupants will bump elbows. Rear headroom and elbow room are tight, and there's no center armrest.

Visibility

9.0

The Fiesta offers great sight lines all around due to the large glass area, narrow roof pillars and relatively large rear window.

Quality

8.5

The build quality is decent for the class, but don't expect a whole lot of soft-touch in this price range. The shifter feels substantial, and the controls work well. No squeaks or rattles.

Utility

7.0

While the Fiesta isn't abysmal when it comes to cargo space, it isn't great either. Most of its chief rivals have it beat on cargo space, with the seats up or folded. Small-item storage, however, is laudable up front.

Small-item storage

Excellent small-item storage up front offers four cupholders and plenty of bins. There are no door pockets in the rear, though.

Cargo space

The sedan's trunk is small for the class. The rear seats fold, but not quite flat. The hatchback's cargo hold is larger, but overall the Fiesta comes up short in this category compared to rivals such as the Honda Fit.

Technology

We're generally fond of the Fiesta's in-car tech from the standard Sync system's voice recognition to the turn-by-turn driving directions and emergency assistance. The available Sync 3 system improves on that idea with sharp graphics, intuitive controls and a 6.5-inch touchscreen.

Compare 2019 Ford Fiesta trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2019 Ford Fiesta models

The 2019 Ford Fiesta is a subcompact car offered in two body styles: sedan and four-door hatchback. The sedan is available in S and SE trims, while the hatchback is sold in the SE and ST Line trims alongside a high-performance ST model. The affordable base S is modestly equipped, but the SE offers more tech features, such as the Sync 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The high-performance ST comes with a six-speed manual, a sport-tuned suspension and a strong turbocharged engine.

The S starts off with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (120 horsepower, 112 pound-feet of torque), a five-speed manual transmission (a six-speed dual-clutch automatic is available as an option), 15-inch steel wheels, power mirrors with secondary blind-spot mirrors, remote locking and unlocking, a height-adjustable driver's seat, 60/40-split folding rear seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, power locks, manual windows, Bluetooth, Sync voice controls, a 4.2-inch center display, a rearview camera, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and a USB port.

The Fiesta SE builds on the above with 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, a rear spoiler (hatchback only), upgraded cloth upholstery, a front center console with armrest, power windows, cruise control, metallic-painted interior trim, and MyKey parental controls for teen drivers.

The optional SE Appearance package adds 16-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a rear spoiler (sedan), cloth sport upholstery, ambient interior lighting, the Sync 3 infotainment interface with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, enhanced voice controls (including Sync AppLink mobile app integration), satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and dual USB ports. Sixteen-inch black-painted wheels are optional, with or without the Appearance package.

The ST Line hatchback contains the SE Appearance package upgrades, along with rear disc brakes, dual chrome exhaust tips, a black-painted spoiler, roof and door mirrors, aerodynamic upgrades, a leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel, and ST-specific cloth sport seats.

The SE and the ST Line's Cold Weather package bundles heated outside mirrors, heated front seats and automatic climate control.

The Fiesta ST adds a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (197 hp, 202 lb-ft) that's paired exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission. Also included are 17-inch wheels with summer performance tires, a sport-tuned suspension, upgraded brakes and quicker steering. You also get keyless entry and ignition, distinctive interior trim, a trip computer, adjustable lumbar support for the driver, automatic climate control, and an 8-speaker Sony sound system with HD radio. The ST Recaro package adds heated Recaro front sport seats (including height adjustments), leather and cloth upholstery and heated mirrors. Also available are black 17-inch wheels with red brake calipers.

A sunroof and a navigation system are stand-alone options on the SE, ST Line and ST trims.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2019 Ford Fiesta S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.70 per gallon for regular unleaded in Louisiana.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Louisiana

$110/mo

$141/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above Average

#15 out of 27 among Subcompact Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Ford Fiesta from 2008-2022.}

$438/yr

vs. $416/yr
for Average Subcompact Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.98x/yr

vs. 1.22x/yr
for Average Subcompact Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

10.5%

vs. 10.1%
for Average Subcompact Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Ford Fiesta Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.1

37 reviews

5(57%)

4(19%)

3(8%)

2(8%)

1(8%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Excellent value

Dave, 04/28/2019

2019 Ford Fiesta S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

I simply love this little car. It gets better mileage than any car I ever owned and is quiet, comfortable, handles very well and I think it is nice looking. It is not a hot rod but it will cruise at 80 MPH all day if you need to. It gets about 40 MPG on long drives at 60-65 MPH. It is a great value. It is a shame Ford is discontinuing it.

Second Fiesta, love them both!

Ms. Janene Engle, 10/29/2018

2018 Ford Fiesta S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

First of all, I would like to say that if you're a man, whether medium sized or large, don't bother buying this car. It's not big enough. However, if you're small or regular size woman, it's GREAT! I wouldn't imagine guys would be too interested in it unless they are wanting something small with great gas mileage. Secondly, this is the second Fiesta I have owned, my other was a 2012 … 5-speed manual, I prefer manual transmissions and with this car, it just works better. I get an average of 36-40 MPG even around rural Idaho. My first Fiesta had 95,000+ miles without any issues, only oil changes. It was very dependable. I find the trunk has plenty of space and as for the back seats? I have no problems fitting my daughters in it comfortably for long drives. Again, I wouldn't recommend it for growing teenage boys or adult men, or even tall girls. The leg space is limited. Some people have complained about it being narrow, but the benefits of that are awesome. It's easy to park, and fits almost everywhere. It handles very well, is quiet and feels solid. Even after 6 years, my older one was still holding together well, didn't have interior noises or things falling apart. I owned a Toyota Corolla in the past, and the Fiesta is every bit as solid and well built, but gets better gas mileage. My favorite part is the manual window cranks that you can't find on other cars. There is plenty of convenient technology without it being over the top ridiculous. The only down side I've found about this car is the fact that it doesn't have a LOT of power. So if you're passing someone on a rural road, be sure to have plenty of room to get around them. You won't be breaking any speed records with this one. One year later: I still LOVE this car. It's been great on trips, even loaded with two other people and luggage it still gets almost 40 mpg on the highway. Aside from oil changes, I've had to do nothing to it. No issues at all. Just peace of mind. The five-speed manual transmission is definitely the way to go with the Fiesta, it handles well in snow and ice as long as you have studded tires all the way around. I'm very pleased with the onboard updates like backup camera and voice commands for your electronic devices. The roll down windows are a favorite option and the seats make all day driving easy. This isn't a fancy car, but if you're interested in something that works well, is economic on your pocket book, and reliable, this is the car for you. Thanks Ford! I would happily buy another just like it!

Not bad for bottom of the automotive food chain!

Al B., 08/31/2018

2018 Ford Fiesta SE 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

So, we got a really good deal on a new 2018 Fiesta SE. After a couple of weeks, here are my initial impressions. (1) It's a small car. No duh, right? But it is rather cramped inside, mainly because it is such a narrow car. My left knee knocks into the door cup holder that is too far forward, and my right knee bangs up against the center console. The front seat moves back far enough to …

Great little commuter

Caleb, 12/29/2019

2019 Ford Fiesta SE 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

I got the SE, so there's not a lot of zip, but there still is some acceleration to it. I went with a manual transmission with all the talk about the automatic transmissions. I drive about 150 miles round-trip to work and I've have the car since June. No issues so far, just a solid little car cranking out about 36 mpg on average. The space isn't anything to brag about, but I love the …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2019 Ford Fiesta, so we've included reviews for other years of the Fiesta since its last redesign.

See all 37 reviews of the Ford Fiesta

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2019 Fiesta Highlights

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$14,260
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$110/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Fiesta models:

MyKey Parental Controls: Lets you set driving parameters for secondary drivers such as teens or valets.
Rear Parking Sensors: Warns the driver about nearby objects behind the Fiesta when in reverse. It makes the Fiesta even easier to park.
Rearview Camera: Provides a view behind you when in reverse. It's now standard on the Fiesta.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat4 / 5
Back Seat4 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover14.3%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Marginal
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good