First Drive: 2011 Ford Fiesta

The 2011 Ford Fiesta subcompact is the first fruit born of the automaker's new One Ford strategy. The idea is to conserve resources and development costs by making every model uniform throughout the world. Ford has tried this sporadically over the last 40 years with only mixed success. The trick is finding a recipe that appeals equally in Beijing, Barcelona, and Boston.

The Fiesta was designed and developed by Ford of Europe as a home-grown Anglo-German product. The U.S. version, made in Mexico, retains its European-style sophistication in materials, workmanship, and driving dynamics, but can that perception of quality overcome the American market's historic aversion to tiny cars?

We're testing two Fiestas, a mid-trim sedan with an automatic transmission ($16,595) and a top-trim hatchback with a manual shift, which rang up at $17,795. The engine is a 120-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder.

The Fiesta brings refined road manners to a class not currently teaming with stars. Handling is agile, with quick and direct steering, and the ride is supple and controlled. Noise levels are relatively subdued--no mean feat for this class.

The interior feels solid and looks good with a soft touch dash. It's loaded with up-to-date electronics and such touches as on-board computer, auto-up driver window, and more. Levers and door handles have a reassuring and precise feel. The front seats are supportive, but the rear is notably tight. The audio controls resemble a Nokia cell phone—confusing to learn like many other European controls.

At least in our initial experience, the automatic transmission looks like a better bet than the five-speed manual. Surprisingly, the automatic (an advanced six-speed dual-clutch automated manual unit) is racking up better observed overall fuel economy, 35 mpg versus 32 mpg. Not only that, but the automatic seems to wring more response from the engine. While the five-speed manual is slick and low effort, forward thrust is a bit wanting.

Overall, the Fiesta comes across as one of the best-executed subcompacts out there. It's got styling chic (in the hatch version), lots of content, and refined driving dynamics. We'll know quite soon how well it stacks up against leading competitors such as the Honda Fit and Nissan Versa.

Whether it succeeds or not, the Fiesta establishes a beachhead for other Euro-sourced Fords, most importantly, the upcoming Ford Focus.