FIESTA GETS A SPARK (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 74

In 2020, the seventh generation Fiesta gained Ford's latest 48V mild hybrid engine tech, as well as a new 7-speed auto gearbox option and the potential for more safety kit. There was more rear seat space too. If you want a MK7 Fiesta but can't quite stretch to the facelifted version announced in late 2021, then you might find the 2020 to 2021-era models we look at here just as good as used buys.

Modelsword count: 7

[petrol] 1.1 Ti-VCT, 1.0 EcoBoost, 1.5 EcoBoost

Historyword count: 152

What's been the world's most significant car in the last half a century? This is our nomination, Ford's Fiesta, which in 2017 was rejuvenated in MK7 model guise for a fresh generation of buyers, then improved again in 2020 to create the car we're going to look at here. Changes made in 2020 saw most Fiestas get the 1.0-litre EcoBoost three cylinder petrol engine that the majority of customers wanted in this car in electrified mild hybrid form. In this guise, it delivers more power with superior economy. In addition, as part of this update, the brand introduced an optional degree of autonomous drive technology. Plus there was a new 7-speed auto gearbox option. And the potential for extra safety kit. This was, in short, on paper at least, a thoroughly well thought out piece of supermini development. And it sustained this MK7 model through until its mid-term facelift in late 2021.

What You Getword count: 476

Visually, there were few changes to this car as part of the 2020 model year electrified update. By then, Ford had embellished the basic specification of this MK7 car a fair bit since its original launch. Even the cheapest trim levels were by 2020 getting headlamps with LED illumination for the low beams and daytime running lights, with full-LED headlamps being optional. Most models got front fog lamps, which turn with the bends and sit in aerodynamic housings that vary in style depending on trim. At the wheel by 2020, the Blue Oval brand had standardised luxury features like a Quickclear front windscreen and velour floor mats across the range and tried to add a more premium feel to pricier variants - the red-stitched trimming of the plush 'ST-Line Edition X' variant for instance. By 2020, Ford had also got rid of the previous poverty-spec smaller sizes for its SYNC3 centre-dash touchscreen - as 8-inch monitor was by now standard on all trim levels. As part of this model update, the company improved this monitor's user interface with bigger buttons and most models got it complete with navigation and the brand's clever 'FordPass Connect' built-in modem, which allows for in-car WiFi and remote interaction with your Fiesta via your smartphone. 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone mirroring is of course included. And all the cabin basics have been well executed: it's easy to find a comfortable driving position, the instruments are clear and there's plenty of interior storage If you come to this car fresh from ownership of a pre-2017-era MK6 model, then it's likely that you'll view Ford's greater efforts in the back seat part of the cabin in a positive light. There is, after all, 16mm more knee room than there was with that previous generation design, plus the seats are softer and offer greater side-to-side support. Should you be trying a Fiesta having sampled a more spacious supermini rival though - and there are plenty - you'll probably be a little less inclined to be quite so generous. Back in 2017 when we first tested this MK7 model, we hoped that the lengthier platform would bring this Ford closer to the prevailing supermini standard for luggage capacity, but were somewhat disappointed to find an improvement of only 17-litres. That remained still an issue for us with this 2020-era model - the luggage bay is rated at 292-litres for both body shapes, a figure that most rivals from this period could comfortably improve upon. Still, it'll be enough for a folded pushchair and the contents of the weekly shop, which is all most owners will need. If you're able to flatten the 60:40 split-folding rear backrest, you'll find that the revealed cargo floor ends up with quite a step in it, but the total capacity figure looks rather better by segment standards - 1,093-litres.

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