2012 Ford Fiesta Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Ford Fiesta review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 Fiesta, and includes Ford Fiesta safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

The Ford Fiesta is a subcompact car, built for affordability and fuel efficiency. It is available as a five-door hatchback or a four-door sedan, and is the entry-level model in Ford’s U.S. lineup.

A driver’s seat armrest is included on all 2012 Fiesta models, and the SEL/SES trim levels can be outfitted with a couple of new two-tone leather interior treatments in Race Red/Black or Oxford White/Tuxedo Black. The Fiesta SES can also be upgraded with a new Premium Sport Appearance Package that includes blacked-out trim, 16-inch polished alloy wheels, LED running lights, a rear spoiler, and a revised final drive ratio for the manual transmission for better off-the-line acceleration.

When selecting a 2012 Ford Fiesta, the first order of business is to pick a body style – hatchback or sedan – and then a trim level: S Sedan, SE Hatchback or Sedan, SEL Sedan, or SES Hatchback. All come standard with a five-speed manual gearbox, with Ford’s PowerShift automated manual six-speed transmission available as an option.

Air conditioning, a stereo with an auxiliary audio input jack, power blind-spot side mirrors, a tilt/telescopic steering wheel, a center armrest, front floor mats, intermittent windshield wipers, and a 60/40-split rear seatback are standard on the Fiesta S Sedan. Power door locks with remote keyless entry, a CD/MP3 player, a six-speaker sound system, and Hill Start Assist are options on this model. Unfortunately, nothing can be done about replacing those 15-inch steel wheels with plastic wheel covers short of visiting Tire Rack.

That’s why the Fiesta SE is so popular. This model represents the best value, equipped with the nicer sound system, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, a trip computer and message center, and vanity mirrors on the visors. This version of the Fiesta looks better too, inside and out. Nicer fabric covers the seats, the dashboard features metallic-looking trim, and a chrome grille upgrades the exterior. Buyers can even ditch those basic wheels by choosing the Sport Appearance Package, which comes with alloys, LED parking lights, and cruise control. Additional options include Sync hands-free smartphone pairing and telematics, a premium sound system with satellite radio, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, a power sunroof, ambient cabin lighting, rear floor mats, and Hill Start Assist. The Fiesta SE is also available with a Super Fuel Economy Package that adds aerodynamic aids, alloy wheels, and a PowerShift transmission to maximize fuel economy.

Buyers with a little extra to spend might want to get the SEL Sedan or SES Hatchback. These are the top-of-the-line Fiestas, equipped with Sync technology, a premium sound system with satellite radio and a USB port, ambient interior lighting, and 16-inch alloy wheels. The SEL and SES also have a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, LED parking lights, heated side mirrors with turn signal indicators, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and rear floor mats. Options for these two Fiestas include leather seats, heated front seats, Intelligent Access with push-button start, a power sunroof, and Hill Start Assist. Either model can be decorated with extra chrome exterior trim, but the SES Hatchback is exclusively available with a new Premium Sport Appearance Package with polished alloy wheels, darkened trim pieces, a rear spoiler, and LED running lights.

Though 120 horsepower doesn’t sound like much, a Fiesta only weighs a few pounds either side of 2,600 lbs., so the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine proves adequate for the task at hand. A five-speed manual transmission delivers the power to the Fiesta’s front wheels, and if you can’t operate a clutch pedal, Ford’s PowerShift automated six-speed manual transmission is available as an option.

As this review is written, official EPA fuel economy ratings are not available for the 2012 Fiesta. Based on last year’s numbers, it looks like you can expect 28 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway with the stick shift. With the PowerShift automated manual transmission, the numbers are 29-city/38-highway. Add the Super Fuel Economy Package to the Fiesta SE, and the car is rated to get 40 mpg on the highway.

Every 2012 Ford Fiesta is equipped with antilock brakes, Ford’s AdvanceTrac traction and stability control system, and seven airbags including a driver’s knee airbag. Side mirrors that help the driver to see in the car’s blind spots are also included, and an SOS Post Crash Alert System automatically unlocks the doors, sounds the horn, and activates the flashers whenever an airbag deploys. Buy a Fiesta equipped with Sync, and a live operator from a 911 Assist service tries to get in touch the driver or passengers after the airbags have deployed. If the operator gets no response, rescue personnel are automatically dispatched to the Fiesta’s location.

With regard to crashworthiness, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the 2012 Fiesta 5-Star ratings for the driver in a frontal crash and the rear passengers in a side impact, and 4-Star ratings for the driver in a side-impact crash and the front seat passenger in a frontal collision. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not officially rated the 2012 Fiesta, but last year called the car a Top Safety Pick, the only vehicle in the Minicars class to receive the laurel.

As for reliability, the picture remains murky. Neither J.D. Power and Associates nor Consumer Reports are making predictions about the 2012 Fiesta’s potential for dependability as this review is written.

The 2012 Ford Fiesta is equipped with an Easy Fuel capless fuel filler system. That means that there’s not fuel cap to lose, or that needs to be unscrewed before or replaced after fueling the car.

Though hatchbacks are typically roomy inside with the rear seats folded, Ford says the Fiesta five-door offers a maximum of 26 cubic-feet of cargo room. Raise the rear seat, and the hatch can swallow 15.4 cu-ft of stuff, while the Fiesta Sedan’s trunk is able to carry 12.8 cu-ft of cargo.

The available Sync system offers an AppLink feature that allows the driver to use voice commands to activate and operate selected smartphone applications, such as Pandora streaming radio or OpenBeak Twitter streams. Sync’s Traffic, Directions, and Information service provide real-time traffic reports, turn-by-turn navigation assistance, weather reports, and news. You can even map a route in advance using Google Maps or Mapquest and have the directions sent to your Fiesta’s Sync system.

In terms of practicality, the 2012 Ford Fiesta is challenged. It’s not as roomy or as versatile as some other small, entry-level cars on the market. However, the Fiesta is definitely stylish, technologically advanced, and infused with European driving character. Add impressive safety ratings, and we recommend the 2012 Fiesta.

By Christian Wardlaw