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2019 Ford Fiesta review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
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Ford Fiesta highlights

Customer rating

Pros

  • Intuitive available SYNC® 3 infotainment system
  • Fun-to-drive demeanor
  • ST performance trim model stands out from the subcompact crowd

Cons

  • The 1.6L base engine is only okay
  • Close competitors offer more space for passengers and cargo
  • Seat padding feels sparse

Mileage (EPA estimate)

25 city, 32 highway, 28 combined

Pricing for current inventory

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Price
Year

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A small car with spunk

If you want a peppy compact car, the Ford Fiesta is a great choice. It's versatile, too, and comes in sedan and hatchback versions. The Fiesta's small size makes it perfect for you if you're a solo city driver; it will make you feel you can go anywhere in a car that's feels seamless to maneuver and park. What the Fiesta lacks in size it makes up for in power, especially with the turbocharged ST trim. Overall, the Fiesta is a practical but fun small car.

All Ford Fiesta years

What is new for the 2019 Ford Fiesta?

  • The Fiesta is available in a new trim called the ST-Line.
  • The Titanium trim has been discontinued for 2019.
  • Power Seat(s) features are now available as options on select trims.
  • The S trim now comes with Rear Spoiler and Automatic Transmission as standard equipment.
  • The SE trim now comes with Smart Key, Rear Spoiler, and Automatic Transmission as standard equipment.

2019 Ford Fiesta trims

Curious how Ford Fiesta trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

S

  • Comes as a sedan and includes cloth seats, manual windows, manual transmission (automatic is an available option), a 12-volt power point, and a rearview camera.

  • View all Ford Fiesta S in stock

SE

  • Comes as either a sedan or hatchback and includes power windows and automatic headlights as standard; options including Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto, heated seats, and a moonroof become available at this trim level.

  • View all Ford Fiesta SEs in stock

ST-Line

ST

  • Comes as a hatchback featuring a 197-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, 3-mode stability control, sports suspension, an eight-speaker Sony® audio system, and a high-definition radio

  • View all Ford Fiesta ST in stock

Ford Fiesta photos

5 reasons to buy the 2019 Ford Fiesta

1. Peppy engine

2019 Ford Fiesta Review: Engine | CarMax

The 2019 Ford Fiesta comes with two engine options: a 1.6L 120-horsepower four-cylinder engine is standard on the S, SE, and ST-Line trims whereas the ST trim (a hatchback) comes with a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 197 horsepower. The 120-horsepower engine is capable enough to give the Fiesta lively acceleration and handling. If you're looking for a thrilling ride, however, opt for the turbo-four. Because the Fiesta is a small car, the 197-horsepower from the turbo engine goes a long way.

2. Fun to drive

2019 Ford Fiesta Review: Front Seats | CarMax

Most Americans opt for automatic transmissions but shifting through the gears manually can be fun and engaging. The 2019 Ford Fiesta comes standard with manual transmission (five-speed in the S, SE, ST-Line trims, and six-speed in the ST trim). The manual transmission is perfect for honing your driving skills and getting more comfortable on the road. However, if you prefer an automatic transmission, it's available on the S, SE, and ST-Line trims.

3. Compact size

2019 Ford Fiesta Review: Trunk Cargo | CarMax

The 2019 Ford Fiesta is a good vehicle for drivers who need a small car. The sedan is about 14.5-feet long while the hatchback is just over 13-feet long. That makes it easy to park the Fiesta in even the tightest of spaces. Despite its small size, the Fiesta is still practical inside, with 43.6 inches of legroom in the front seats. If you regularly transport cargo, the hatchback option is best, since it offers up to 25.4 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down.

4. Many available options

2019 Ford Fiesta Review: Backseats | CarMax

The base-level Ford Fiesta has few frills, which makes it a great car for its price. However, the higher-level Ford Fiesta trims offer many available options that make the Fiesta feel more upscale. For example, a power moonroof, heated seats, and heated side windows are available on the SE, ST-Line, and ST trims. The ST-Line and ST trims also come with upgraded audio systems and radio features.

5. A fuel-sipper

The base-level (1.6L 120-horsepower) engine gets an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined and an EPA-estimated 31 mpg with the optional automatic transmission.

With a 12.4-gallon fuel tank, you'll be able to drive for hundreds of miles without going to the gas station. Even the powerful, 197-horsepower 1.6L turbo engine that comes standard on the ST trim has good fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 28 mpg combined.

Similar vehicles

If you're interested in the 2019 Ford Fiesta, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.

Toyota Yaris

Toyota Yaris

The subcompact hatchback Yaris is a great option if you need a city car. For the 2017–2019 model years, the Yaris comes with a standard 1.5L four-cylinder engine producing 106 hp and 103 lb-ft of torque powering the front wheels through a standard five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmission. Cargo capacity for the 2017–2019 Yaris with all seats in place is 15.3 cu ft. Standard features on 2017 and newer Toyota Yaris models include:

  • Automatic headlights and high-beam control

  • Power door locks and windows

  • Air-conditioning,

  • 60/40 split-folding rear seat

  • 6.1-inch touchscreen (seven-inch for 2019+)

  • Lane departure warning and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

The 2019 Ford Fiesta is a great car for the price. Customers like that it's easy to drive, has good gas mileage, and handles well. The car is also spacious enough for most daily needs.
4
Above Average

RepairPal gave the Ford Fiesta an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Ford Fiesta 15th out of 27 among Subcompact Cars.

RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Ford Fiesta is $438, compared to an average of $447 for Subcompact Cars and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.

According to RepairPal, Ford Fiesta owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 1.0 times per year, compared to an average of 1.0 times for Subcompact Cars and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.

RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 11% for the Ford Fiesta, compared to an average of 11% for Subcompact Cars and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.

Ford Fiesta features and specs

SE 2WD 4D Hatchback

Standard Features

  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • CD Audio
  • Cloth Seats
  • Cruise Control
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear Spoiler
  • Rear View Camera
  • Side Airbags
  • Smart Key
  • Sync System
  • Traction Control
  • Android Auto
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Navigation System
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Sunroof(s)

Drive Wheels

2WD

Engine size

1.6L

Horsepower

120

Torque (ft-lbs)

112

Engine type

Gas

Fuel capacity

12.4

Wheelbase

98"

Overall length

159.7"

Width

67.8"

Height

58.1"

Leg room

F 42.2"/R 31.2"

Head room

F 39.1"/R 37.2"

Front tires

P185/60HR15

Rear tires

P185/60HR15

Seating capacity

5

Transmission

Automatic

2019 Ford Fiesta FAQ

More about the 2019 Ford Fiesta

Color options


Exterior colors

  • Bohai Bay Mint

  • Hot Pepper Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat

  • Ingot Silver

  • Lightning Blue

  • Magnetic (grey)

  • Orange Spice Metallic Tri-coat

  • Outrageous Green Metallic Tinted Clearcoat

  • Oxford White

  • Shadow black

  • White Platinum Metallic Tri-coat

Interior details

The Ford Fiesta seats five people in both hatchback and sedan versions. Front passengers have plenty of space, with 43.6 inches of legroom, while rear passengers have 31.2 inches of legroom. The Fiesta sedan has 12.8 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk, while the hatchback offers 14.9 cubic feet of cargo space. The rear seats have a 40/60 split and fold down for up to 25.4 cubic feet of cargo space in the hatchback. That said, the seats do not fold fully flat. The Ford Fiesta 2019 comes standard with cloth seats at all trim levels. It also has a 4.2-inch display screen, although a larger 6.5-inch display screen is available.

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