Fiesta mk7 - real world experiences?
Discussion
The Fiesta mk7 and its facelift appear similar dimensions to the original Ford Focus, which I assume is owed to the general tradition of cars growing larger with each new generation.
I have also seen (and sat in) some very well specced models which had heated leather seats, cruise control, climate, etc. Essentially much of the equipment I would expect on one or two car classes larger.
Has anyone got real world experience using these cars for 20-30k (often motorway) miles a year? What are the engines like? Say for example the diesel options top out at 95 hp but that never gives the full story. Is it a very useable 95 hp so isn't actually slow in the real world? Do they ride well for what they are or are they all crashy regardless of trim? Can they all take tow bars (i.e. so I can have a bike carrier on the back)?
It's only a thought at the moment given they're not expensive for what they seem to offer, and I like my outdoor sports which sometimes means larger cars can be a bit of a faff in the country lanes or small parking laybys.
Thanks!
I have also seen (and sat in) some very well specced models which had heated leather seats, cruise control, climate, etc. Essentially much of the equipment I would expect on one or two car classes larger.
Has anyone got real world experience using these cars for 20-30k (often motorway) miles a year? What are the engines like? Say for example the diesel options top out at 95 hp but that never gives the full story. Is it a very useable 95 hp so isn't actually slow in the real world? Do they ride well for what they are or are they all crashy regardless of trim? Can they all take tow bars (i.e. so I can have a bike carrier on the back)?
It's only a thought at the moment given they're not expensive for what they seem to offer, and I like my outdoor sports which sometimes means larger cars can be a bit of a faff in the country lanes or small parking laybys.
Thanks!
Thanks for the reply.
A change of springs on the standard car? Is the stock suspension on the Fiesta range a bit crashy?
I have had a Focus mk3 in the past and it felt very bloated, but that might be because a few years before that I had a Focus mk1 Estate TDDi which was fantastic for a cheap and easy to run car where it was also geared so well you could use most of what power it had to offer so never felt super slow (although couldn't do without cruise control now!).
Is the Fiesta not the original Focus replacement in principal then?
A change of springs on the standard car? Is the stock suspension on the Fiesta range a bit crashy?
I have had a Focus mk3 in the past and it felt very bloated, but that might be because a few years before that I had a Focus mk1 Estate TDDi which was fantastic for a cheap and easy to run car where it was also geared so well you could use most of what power it had to offer so never felt super slow (although couldn't do without cruise control now!).
Is the Fiesta not the original Focus replacement in principal then?
My 1.25 didn’t impress me, mainly due to joining motorways and A roads on a short slip way. Sometimes hard to get up to speed and hills were a bit of a struggle but I’m guessing the diesel will be a bit better at this kind of thing.
The car itself was ok for useable space, good level of equipment etc.
The car itself was ok for useable space, good level of equipment etc.
SSWGB said:
My 1.25 didn’t impress me, mainly due to joining motorways and A roads on a short slip way. Sometimes hard to get up to speed and hills were a bit of a struggle but I’m guessing the diesel will be a bit better at this kind of thing.
The car itself was ok for useable space, good level of equipment etc.
Is the 1.25 not the old Sigma engine from the 1990s?The car itself was ok for useable space, good level of equipment etc.
I had a mk1 focus and now drive a mk7 fiesta.
My best mate has this thing about car sizes and how new cars are so massive that the class sizes have shifted. I don't get it really. Yes, cars have generally become larger mainly I think for safety reasons. But a mk1 focus was 4150mm long and a mk7 fiesta 3960mm. There's more side impact protection and the like now which makes small cars feel even smaller on the inside. My fiesta feels tiny which is fine because it's usually just me in it. The MK1 focus had a lot more space.
Your description of 1.5 diesel, heated leather, cruise and climate sounds like a mk7.5 titanium x. I think they're good cars but you'd need to check it's big enough for your needs. The ride in mine is very firm but it's an ST so to be expected. I imagine the more luxury models ride better.
My best mate has this thing about car sizes and how new cars are so massive that the class sizes have shifted. I don't get it really. Yes, cars have generally become larger mainly I think for safety reasons. But a mk1 focus was 4150mm long and a mk7 fiesta 3960mm. There's more side impact protection and the like now which makes small cars feel even smaller on the inside. My fiesta feels tiny which is fine because it's usually just me in it. The MK1 focus had a lot more space.
Your description of 1.5 diesel, heated leather, cruise and climate sounds like a mk7.5 titanium x. I think they're good cars but you'd need to check it's big enough for your needs. The ride in mine is very firm but it's an ST so to be expected. I imagine the more luxury models ride better.
DickP said:
Thanks for the reply.
A change of springs on the standard car? Is the stock suspension on the Fiesta range a bit crashy?
I have had a Focus mk3 in the past and it felt very bloated, but that might be because a few years before that I had a Focus mk1 Estate TDDi which was fantastic for a cheap and easy to run car where it was also geared so well you could use most of what power it had to offer so never felt super slow (although couldn't do without cruise control now!).
Is the Fiesta not the original Focus replacement in principal then?
The standard ride is a bit firm/busy but just changing the springs takes a little bit of the fidgeting away (even though it also lowers the car) & keeps the sweet handling.A change of springs on the standard car? Is the stock suspension on the Fiesta range a bit crashy?
I have had a Focus mk3 in the past and it felt very bloated, but that might be because a few years before that I had a Focus mk1 Estate TDDi which was fantastic for a cheap and easy to run car where it was also geared so well you could use most of what power it had to offer so never felt super slow (although couldn't do without cruise control now!).
Is the Fiesta not the original Focus replacement in principal then?
But did you have a MK3 ST? Because they don't feel bloated & are a nice drive, I have to say that I think the car that'll tick your boxes is the Focus ST-3 185 tdci:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008273...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103130...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103039...
Not sure what your budget is but the above really does tick the boxes.
I used to work for Ford and had a Mk7 & MK8 fiesta ST-line 140 on privilege, both did quite a lot of motorway miles. The mk7.5 (17 plate) seemed much better on mpg than my MK8 (67 plate) despite only being a 5 speed it also felt lighter on its feet, also was just in boost at motorway speeds in 5th so felt a lot more pokey.
Its fine for motorway use even with the bigger wheels & lower ride on the ST line, the steering isn't as darty as a full fat ST so it was fine for me. Ive moved on to a MK8 ST but of the 1.0 EcoBoost versions id say the MK 7.5 was nicer to drive just a shame about the interior. I think if you get a zetec/titanium/x 125 EcoBoost it would be perfect for what you need. (only if you really want a fiesta, if it was me id want a Mini Cooper for the build quality)
I can't help much for the 95hp Diesel engine but had a 1.5 TDCI 120 st-line X focus and it was enough for the car but the petrol 125 didn't seem to struggle as much although in the focus the ecoboost mpg drops significantly compared to the fiesta due to all the extra weight.
Its fine for motorway use even with the bigger wheels & lower ride on the ST line, the steering isn't as darty as a full fat ST so it was fine for me. Ive moved on to a MK8 ST but of the 1.0 EcoBoost versions id say the MK 7.5 was nicer to drive just a shame about the interior. I think if you get a zetec/titanium/x 125 EcoBoost it would be perfect for what you need. (only if you really want a fiesta, if it was me id want a Mini Cooper for the build quality)
I can't help much for the 95hp Diesel engine but had a 1.5 TDCI 120 st-line X focus and it was enough for the car but the petrol 125 didn't seem to struggle as much although in the focus the ecoboost mpg drops significantly compared to the fiesta due to all the extra weight.
Edited by DanQyou on Sunday 4th April 22:02
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