Ford Fiesta Studio 1.25 3dr Pre-Model Car Review - March 2012

A top speed of 94 mph is possible in this small family car whilst acceleration is a little on the slow side with the car reaching 0-62 mph in 16.9 seconds. This means the Fiesta may be outperformed by rival models with the maximum power output of 59 bhp at 6000 rpm with torque figures of 80 lb-ft at 3600 rpm unable to match the credentials of rival models.

However, the engine is fairly efficient and achieves 51.4 mpg on a combined cycle. Carbon emissions are also fairly average for a car of this class with the model emitting 127 g/km which places the car under road tax band D.

This five seater car is rather basic considered it is aimed at families and even essentials such as central locking are not an option. This car is not fitted with an alarm either and the lack of rear parking sensors mean there are a number of compromises made over safety and practicality on this model.

Within the cabin, the model also lacks luxurious features such as leather seats and technological extras such as MP3 connectivity and Bluetooth connections for the media player. Air conditioning is also unavailable which could be seen as a huge drawback given many of these features are now offered as standard fittings on other models.

The standard features which are offered include power steering, stability control, electric door mirrors, an immobiliser and a stereo system with CD player. The exterior can be upgraded to a metallic paint finish to enhance the car's appearance but this will cost an additional £495.

As a small family car it is surprising that this vehicle lacks some of the additional features many expect from modern cars such as an alarm and central locking. This lack of features is a severe disadvantage but for motorists more concerned with economic value the car could still be seen as a good investment.

Other areas of safety are fairly good, however, and the car comes fitted with driver, passenger and front side airbags as standard features. Despite the small compromises the model also scored well in the NCAP crash tests by achieving a five star rating for occupant safety and a four star rating for child safety.

Although it is a five seater the car only has three doors which limits accessibility and makes the car slightly impractical for families. Space within the cabin is used well but as a small family car there are always going to be restrictions and this means that room is adequate but not excessive with larger passengers likely to experience a little discomfort in the back seats during long journeys.

The boot space is also a little lacking considering the car's status as a family vehicle. With all of the sears in position a storage capacity of just 205 litres is offered with a more spacious 979 litres available when the rear seats are folded down.

As a well known manufacturer, Ford has a good reputation for reliability and this means buyers should have fairly good levels of confidence with their purchase. The car feels well built both internally and externally and is also covered by a warranty for three years or 60,000 miles.

The Ford Fiesta Studio 1.25 3dr is available for £9,495 making it a highly affordable option for the budget-conscious motorist.

The car also offers fairly reasonable running costs with fuel efficiency capable of reaching 51.4 mpg on a combined cycle whilst insurance and road tax costs are more than manageable, falling under road tax band D and insurance group 5. As economic value often takes priority over performance with family cars, this is a huge advantage for the Ford Fiesta Studio 1.25.

Despite this, the compromises on space and in-car technology mean that other models may prove more popular with motorists who are likely to look for the highest range of features for the lowest price.