The Fiesta and The Focus...

[thePill]

Okay, I need to say this first, I am new to Compacts and Hatches. There was a time I could fit my entire family in one of these cars but now, a Fusion is as small as I would go...

...so I get it, both Fiesta and Focus are Personal Compacts right??? What I am getting at is, why the need for both? I guess I could consider the Fiesta a Compact Sport and the Focus a Personal Compact, but my question is, are two models needed at this level?

What's the difference?

Sponsored

 

[Trackaholic]

Fiesta is quite a bit smaller and lighter and a little less expensive.

Probably not a significant need for the Fiesta in the USA (although more and more people are living in big cities), but in Europe there are definite advantages to having a small car, so the Fiesta makes quite a bit of sense. Once you've done all the development, it then also makes sense to sell it where ever you can make money.

I'm glad to see it here, especially the ST, although if I were buying I'd get the Focus ST instead (and if the Focus ST had been available in 2010 I'd be driving one instead of a VW GTI).

-T

 

[Dirk McGurck]

I would buy a Fiesta, but in order for me to sit comfortably, I'm sitting at the b-pillar. And I'm only 6ft. I can't imagine taller people attempting to be in one.


That being said, I'm sure the ST is a blast to drive.

 

[Ghostface]

Every company has a subcompact nowadays to be competitive. Honda for instance takes a huge chunk of sales with both its compact (civic) and subcompact (fit). Ford is not going to sit around and let that happen without a fight.

 

[DHG1078]

Like others have said the fiesta is much smaller than the focus, a bit cheaper, and can get better mpg due to it being lighter. I sat in a few fiestas (including an ST) and I just wasn't thrilled about it. Granted they are cheap so you can't hope for fusion luxury in one lol. I have a 2010 focus and I love it for what it is. Great mpg (I drive 900 miles a week and average 32-35 depending on how much in town driving) and its comfortable. Fiesta is better suited for big cities and European roads.

 

[HGFireHazard]

It's certainly an interesting question.

Priced out the two cars are actually really close in price. I actually just drove a Focus ST about a week ago at my local dealer while inquiring about snagging one of their first allocations on the Mustang. I was really impressed. I'm a pretty big (round, haha) guy, 5'11" and the car had the Recaro option and I was quite comfortable. The side bolstering was the tightest but even being tight was actually still very tolerable. I was impressed because I'm 285.

With the salesman and my lady in the back it had impressive pull. The driver/passenger seats have a inset in the back for rear passenger knees. I'm not overly tall but I prefer a further back driving position and my girl at 5'5" had no discomfort.

The biggest difference over the Fiesta for me is the practicality in the size. If you're single maybe the Fiesta makes more sense, but if you have or want a family the Focus maybe more so.

Performance wise the Focus just pulls harder, but the Fiesta is easier to "throw around" because of the lighter weight.

I don't think there is a right answer to Focus vs Fiesta, more so what do you need outside of the performance aspects. If I wasn't in the market for the Mustang I probably would have bought a Focus.

 

[thePill]

The Fiesta ST was at the proving grounds in Dearborn today... Not much info here, just brake testing and such. One of the cars was a beautiful Molten Orange.

No pics guys, no video, just some hearsay...

Sponsored