2012 Ford Fiesta SFE With Super Fuel Economy Road Test

Good

Economical and stout powerplant; responsive controls; engaging styling; rewarding handling.

Bad

40 mpg in sedan body style only; pricey automatic transmission has quirks; marginal rearseat legroom.

What Price 40MPG?

The nearly supernatural growth of subcompact class proves vehicle shoppers in United States are becoming more than off-handedly interested in superior fuel efficiency. It is now nearly compulsory for full line automobile manufacturing companies for providing at least one or two vehicles offering 40 miles per gallon rating in highway driving. The all new elegant 2012 Ford Fiesta, launched in the year 2011, generates indispensable 40 miles per gallon rating; however you have to plump for additional cost SFE (Super Fuel Economy) package to gain it.

The package is available for the price of $695 and can be specified for four-door sedan body style of 2012 Ford Fiesta, less stylistically expressive as compared to Fiesta hatchback; you can also opt for the midlevel SE variant of Sedan. Furthermore, opting for Super Fuel Economy package of Ford Fiesta also demands optional S1070 Powershift automatic transmission. Most shoppers persist on automatic anyway, but the conventional path to optimum fuel economy has been with manual transmission. Besides transmission, this particular package also offers low rolling resistance tires, cruise control and plethora of aerodynamic trim pieces such as shutters, which block drag inducing air from backing up with powertrain compartment.

Nevertheless, there are quite a lot of other models in the market such as 2012 Hyundai Accent, which provides 40mpg of fuel economy in highway driving, 2012 Chevrolet Sonic hatchback that offers 40mpg on the sticker, Honda Fit, one of the snazzier choices in its segment.

Performance

With the Super Fuel Economy package, the 2012 Ford Fiesta is powered by a four-cylinder 1.6 liter engine, which is good for pulsating 120 horsepower with 112 pound feet of torque. The 2012 Mazda 2 generates 100 horsepower, while the Honda Fit produces 117 horsepower. The Fiesta is outpunched by 2012 Kia Rio, which cranks out 138 horsepower. The nice sounding and easy revving inline four-cylinder engine of Fiesta is more than competitive in its segment, when it comes to power, but those seeking SFE package, you have to back 1.6 liter engine with six-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission of Ford. Like all these automated manual transmissions, its Powershift is in effect, a six-speed manual with automated clutch, which means it, can be driven just like traditional automatic, and there isn’t any clutch pedal.

Comfort

The 2012 Ford Fiesta with Super Fuel Economy package is no different from other Fiestas in that it is going to impress front seat occupants with abundant legroom, easy to reach controls, couple of steps for finding a purposeful driving position and unexpectedly supportive seats. Stereo system with auxiliary audio input jack, air conditioning, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power blind spot side mirrors, front floor mats, center armrest, 60/40-split rear seatback and intermittent windshield wipers are standard on Fiesta S Sedan. CD/MP3 player, power door locks with remote keyless entry, Hill Start Assist and six-speaker sound system are options on this model. Sadly, nothing can be done about replacing 15-inch steel wheels with plastic wheel covers short of visiting Tire Rack.

The SE trim level of 2012 Ford Fiesta symbolizes best value equipped with power windows, nicer sound system, remote keyless entry, power door locks, vanity mirrors on visors and trip computer and message center. Dashboard features metallic looking trim, chrome grille upgrades exterior and nicer fabric covers seats. Shoppers can ditch those basic wheels by choosing Sport Appearance Package that includes LED parking lights, cruise control and alloy wheels. Additional options include premium sound system with satellite radio, Sync handsfree smartphone pairing and telematics, heated side mirrors, heated front seats, ambient cabin lighting, power sunroof, Hill Start Assist and rear floor mats. The Fiesta SE’s Super Fuel Economy Package gains alloy wheels, Powershift transmission for maximizing fuel economy and aerodynamic aids.

The range topping trim levels come standard with premium sound system with satellite radio and USB port, Sync technology, 16-inch alloy wheels and ambient interior lighting. The SES and SEL also feature cruise control, leather wrapped steering wheel, heated side mirrors with turn signal indicators, LED parking lights, rear floor mats and auto dimming rearview mirror. Options for both Fiesta models include heated front seats, leather seats, power sunroof, Hill Start Assist and Intelligent Access with push-button start.

Function

The gauge cluster and dashboard of 2012 Ford Fiesta are mainly effective and straightforward, although the multiple buttons of center stack, especially over the top phone style keypad on right of upper console, don’t seem intuitive to use. You will find the huge, multifunction main dial, which controls various infotainment functions to be non-intuitive and fiddly. The best option is to opt for rapid spec packages, which include always-enhancing Sync voice activation technology, which helps mitigate the need for using buttons. The total trunk capacity of Fiesta Sedan is 12.8 cubic feet, which is markedly down unlike 15.4 cubic feet offered from hatchback.

Who should consider 2012 Ford Fiesta?

The 2012 Ford Fiesta Super Fuel Economy is one of the higher quality, higher style choices in market segment, which is being joined by astonishingly sophisticated models everyday. It has at present added excellent new models like Toyota Yaris, Chevrolet Sonic and Kia Rio. The Fiesta is outstanding in its class, thanks to its excellent driving dynamics and high quality appearance, two things which make it a pleasure to drive. The Super Fuel Economy equipment offers just 1 mpg enhancement over 39mpg highway rating of everyday Fiesta, while its combined rating of 33 miles per gallon is similar to every other Fiestas with automatic transmission. Besides, many of the class’ newer models provide 40 mpg highway rating throughout model range without the need for additional-cost package such as Fiesta SFE that needs pricey automatic transmission. Overall, the Fiesta stands a chance to sit atop B-segment peak till the rest of pack catches up.

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