Ford Fiesta Zetec S 1.6 3dr Car Review - February 2012

The Zetec S is the sportier of the Fiesta formats available, and this does mean that the ride can be quite firm, but the handling is excellent and the heavier steering does make the Zetec S fun to drive. The driving position is very good, and the range of adjustments available in the driving seat mean that being comfortable shouldn't be a problem for any driver. Although it is a small car most drivers will find that it does have a good feel on the road, and responds well to any corrections in the steering.

This sporty hatchback delivers some good performance numbers, but these are not quite a match for some of the rivals in this particular field. The Zetec S can go from 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds, and with a top speed of 120mph it is quite good, but is also able to maintain some very respectable fuel economy. Only those who are very interested in the speed and performance figures will be looking for a hot hatchback that is even better than this incarnation of the Fiesta.

It is fair to say that the design of the Fiesta has come a long way from the boxy angular lines of the first model, with a large air intake below the grille that is a very popular look at the moment. The narrow eyes of the headlights add to the nice appearance of the front end, but the shape of the boot door could be a problem for those looking to carry bulkier items. The look of the car is just as good indoors, although the centre console does have an awful lot of buttons that aren't particularly intuitive.

The Zetec S is towards the top of the Fiesta range and does come with an impressive list of equipment, beginning with the alloy wheels that look good. Air conditioning is included as standard, and although front fog lights are becoming more common it is still a nice addition to have.

Those who are thinking about buying a Ford Fiesta will be doing so because it is a practical small car that will have good handling and will be fun to drive. The space available is quite good, but the rear seats do not offer extensive legroom. The boot has space for a number of bags or cases, and the nippy handling and small size mean that it is practical to drive in towns and cities.

In terms of safety the Fiesta has the usual range of airbags that are so important to keeping the driver and passengers safe in an accident, and the Euro NCAP tests have awarded the Fiesta five stars. The one issue could be that it isn't possible to switch off the passenger airbag, which can be damaging if a specific type of baby seat is used.

Although the Zetec S is not the cheapest of the Fiestas at £14,545, it is equipped very well and those who do enjoy a sporty drive will find the engine is good value for a lot of fun. A three year warranty is combined with a year's roadside breakdown assistance, which is fairly standard for cars in this class.

The value of the Fiesta comes in the ownership experience, and although the 1.6 engine is the largest available for the Fiesta, it still delivers some good fuel performance. An average 48.7mpg is good performance from something as sporty and exciting as this, and even with the hot hatchback tag it is still quite reasonable to insure.