2019 Ford Fiesta Expert Review

The 2019 Ford Fiesta is a stylish subcompact offered as either a sedan or hatchback. The Fiesta is inexpensive, easy on gas and offers room for five passengers, although rear-seat legroom is not as generous as some newer competitors. The sporty ST trim adds a turbocharged engine, making it one of the most powerful subcompacts on the market.

If you’re looking for a subcompact car with great looks, a sporty ride and a good reputation for economical operation, the 2019 Ford Fiesta is it. Seeing as this is the Fiesta’s final year, odds are you’ll be able to strike a really good deal on a remaining 2019 model.

The Fiesta’s aging platform means you’ll forgo the latest in accident-avoidance features and class-leading resale figures. If you need these things, a Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris makes a better choice, as would a Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent that come with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

In its final year, the 2019 Ford Fiesta sees the Titanium trim dropped from the lineup and new ST Line added. The ST Line has most of the looks and features of the ST, minus the turbocharged engine, 17-inch wheels and 6-speed manual transmission.

The 2019 Ford Fiesta’s interior is comfortable for front-seat passengers, but a bit cramped when it comes to rear-seat legroom, especially when compared to a car like the Kia Rio. The sedan offers a spacious trunk, and both sedan and hatchback feature 60/40-folding rear seats that increase cargo volume to over 25 cubic feet. The base S trim provides most essentials, but the SE is better equipped. Regardless of trim, you’ll find a handsome interior constructed of high-quality materials and solid assembly. Upscale options include heated front seats, a power sunroof, navigation and, for the ST, Recaro seats.

In a world where “affordable subcompact” too often means “dowdy and unattractive,” the 2019 Ford Fiesta wears a stylish and distinctive suit. Attractive and modern as a 4-door sedan or more practical 5-door hatchback, the new Fiesta never turns heads for the wrong reasons. In addition to swallowing more cargo, the hatchback is particularly attractive, offering better proportions and a sportier physique. The Fiesta ST is endowed with a more aggressive style befitting its high-performance intentions, including larger wheels and tires, a deeper front spoiler, ST badging and two chrome exhaust pipes right out of your hot-rodding high school dreams.

Confident, comfortable and easily controlled, the 2019 Ford Fiesta remains a favorite. Yes, an aging design means it’s missing some key safety features, and there are foreign competitors out there that offer more content at a better price (not to mention a better warranty), but after a few minutes behind the Fiesta’s wheel, all of that melts into the rearview mirror. Run the Fiesta through a winding single-lane road, and you’ll be amazed at the car’s poised balance, nimble reflexes and communicative steering. Power from the 1.6-liter engine isn’t robust, but it’s sufficient, especially when paired with the slick 5-speed manual (a 6-speed automatic is optional). For those willing to spend a bit more, the 197-horsepower ST trim is the ultimate “little rocket man,” offering both performance and economy in a versatile hatchback body. Standard equipment includes 17-inch wheels, a 6-speed manual and performance tires, a sport suspension and available Recaro sport seats.

The 2019 Ford Fiesta S sedan has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $15,135 with a manual transmission. Unless the lowest price is of highest concern, we recommend at least stepping up to the mid-trim Fiesta SE, which begins around $16,365. Opting for the hatchback version of any of these three trims is about $300 more. The hatchback-only ST Line starts at $18,500, while the full-blown Fiesta ST begins at $22,215. Stuff a 2019 Fiesta with options, and you're looking at a low- to mid-$20,000 subcompact. This is in line with competitors such as the Chevrolet Sonic and Honda Fit. Undercutting the Fiesta's starting price are the Nissan Versa Note, Kia Rio and Mitsubishi Mirage. Before buying, check KBB.com's Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area are paying. The Fiesta's residual value has traditionally been about average, but lagged the leading Honda Fit.

The least expensive 2019 Fiesta is the S sedan, but even it is nicely equipped. Standard fare includes a 4.2-inch display screen, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 radio with auxiliary input, rearview monitor, air conditioning, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, power door locks, Hill Start Assist, dual USB inputs and keyless entry. You will, however, still have to crank your own windows. SE models add cruise control, power windows and the MyKey system. The sporty ST trim adds a 6-speed manual transmission, sport suspension, auto temp control, rear spoiler and 17-inch wheels. The ST Line has many of the ST’s features but without the turbocharged engine.

Popular options for the 2019 Fiesta include the Sync infotainment system, which features a large 6.5-inch touch screen with smartphone gestures like swipe and pinch-to-zoom. Other options vary by trim and include navigation, power moonroof, heated front seats, keyless entry pad, satellite radio and an automatic transmission. The potent Fiesta ST hatchback can be made racier with hood stripes and race-car-ready, height-adjustable Recaro seats with cool leather and cloth upholstery. Strangely no automatic transmission is available on the ST.

SYNC 3

While some parts of the Fiesta have grown old, the Sync 3 infotainment system isn’t one of them. Displayed on a bright 6.5-inch touch screen, Sync 3 allows voice control of the audio, phone and available navigation, as well as integration with smartphone apps via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

1.6-LITER ECOBOOST ENGINE

Small cars are supposed to be fun, which is why the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine found in the Fiesta ST works so well. This engine delivers great low-end torque and plenty of power for passing and merging, yet still pulls off an EPA-estimated 33 mpg.

The 2019 Ford Fiesta offers a choice of two 4-cylinder engines. For the base S, SE and ST Line, a 1.6-liter engine good for 120 horsepower comes standard with a 5-speed manual transmission. A 6-speed SelectShift automatic is optional on all three trims. The sporty ST model uses a turbocharged version of the same engine, adding 77 additional horses plus significantly more torque and a slick-shifting 6-speed manual. All Fiesta models are pulled along by their front wheels.

1.6-liter inline-4 (S, SE, ST Line)

120 horsepower @ 6,350 rpm

112 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm

EPA city/highway fuel economy: 27/35 mpg (manual), 27/37 mpg (automatic)

1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 (ST)

197 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm

202 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm

EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/32 mpg

There are moments in history that mark the end of an era, such as when the Beatles broke up or the last manned mission went to the moon. The 2019 Ford Fiesta also marks the end of an era, as Ford has announced it’s getting out of the passenger-car business in favor of SUVs. That’s a shame, really, because the Fiesta offers economical, reliable and fun transportation at a really good price. The sedan and hatchback will continue to be offered this year, as will the sporty ST trim. However, after 2019, if you want a subcompact car, you’ll have to look to the Honda Fit, Chevrolet Sonic or Toyota Yaris, none of which offer the fun-to-drive athleticism of the Fiesta ST.