WASHINGTON — Is a small three-cylinder turbo engine worth an extra $995 on
the
2014 Ford Fiesta?
That’s what I was thinking to myself when a white 2014 Ford Fiesta was dropped
off at my house for a week of driving.
It looks like the last Fiesta I drove, but on the rear hatch, you’ll notice
the
word “Ecoboost.”
That means there is a tiny one liter, three-cylinder engine living under the
hood. It turns out that it packs a tiny bit more power — 123 hp — and a lot
more
torque than the larger, four-cylinder base engine.
The new three-cylinder engine was named the 2014 International Engine of the
Year, and it does add some pep to the Fiesta. It’s better geared toward fuel
economy than high performance, and after a
week of driving, I managed 36.2 mpg.
That’s what the sticker said I should get: 31 mpg city; 43 mpg highway and a
combined 36 mpg. These are good numbers — a bit better than the ECO-themed
small sedan I own by 1.2 mpg on the same route for a week.
If you choose the Ecoboost fuel economy package, you trade in the alloy wheels
for more basic steel wheels with wheel covers.
It can only be equipped with a five-speed manual transmission — no automatic
is
offered with the Ecoboost. I do wish there were a sixth gear, as I went to
shift
into it several times on the highway.
Because of the decent power and extra torque, driving the three-cylinder
Fiesta
is more fun than I thought it would be. The engine does sound a little like a
diesel when pushed, but it seems smoother than the base four-cylinder
engine I tested earlier in the year.
The tires are intended for low rolling resistance and better fuel economy but
the Fiesta
does enjoy a few turns. Just know going in that this isn’t a sporty hot hatch;
pick
the Fiesta ST with 200 hp if you want that.
The inside of the Fiesta is a fine place to be if you’re sitting up front. The
optional heated seats do their job, but they are not the most comfortable
seats
out there.
The interior lighting and the different colors you can
choose are neat little features; a hit with the children sitting in the back
seat. The rest of the
interior is pretty good, with some nicer soft-touch materials throughout.
The 2014 Ford Fiesta SE with the small 1.0-liter Ecoboost is an interesting
car
for commuters with an engaging personality and good gas mileage for a non-
hybrid vehicle.
With a price a little over $17,000 the Fiesta is good value for your money for
your basic transportation needs.
Editor’s note: Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press
Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the
purpose of this review.
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