The 2014 Ford Fiesta SE is all responsible adult when it comes fuel economy, but it’s that boy your parents warned you about when it comes to having fun.
| STATS | Starting Retail Price | As Tested Price | HP / Lb-Ft |
| 2014 Ford Fiesta SE Hatch | $16,080 | $18,925 | 120 / 112 |
| EPA Rating MPG | As Tested MPG | ||
| Rating: BUY IT! | 27 / 38 Combined 31 | 30.1 Combined |
They’ve given it an exterior update, most noticeable with that signature Ford grill that makes it look very European and more than a little Aston Martin. This car, however, costs considerably less and will not require you to sell your soul or remortgage your house.
Economical little hatchbacks used to be bare bones, inside and out. They were the kinds of things you bought because you just wanted a cheap car to get you from point A to point B and didn’t care how you looked or how comfortable the ride. The 2014 Ford Fiesta SE says to heck with that notion.
It looks good. It looks sporty, especially as the Hatch I drove versus the Sedan. It looks fun and not at all like you couldn’t afford better. The same is true inside where, although not luxurious, the styling is simple and uncluttered. The trims have been improved, upholstery is a little bit nicer, and the MyFord Touch interface gives you a clean-looking piece of tech within easy reach.
The seats are comfortable though not supportive which could easily wear on you for a long drive, but the average commuter is going to be just fine. It’s not big on interior space so front passengers are going to be knocking elbows while those in the rear will find space even more limiting. That’s an area best reserved for your kids, and likely even they will argue as they get in each other’s way. You’ll find more space for those who need it in the Honda Fit.
The standard engine is a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder with 120 horsepower. That may not sound like a lot, but in a car this small that gives it plenty of zip. A five-speed manual transmission is also standard and it was truly fun to drive. It doesn’t have particularly speedy acceleration, but let the revs go higher and you’ll get plenty of performance.
The 2014 Ford Fiesta SE handles smoothly with well-tuned electric power steering that feels nicely weighted and provides good road feedback. There is a lot of road and wind noise at highway speeds, but more off-putting is the way it bounces over rough pavement. Driving the pothole-laden streets of New England it was disconcerting having the car jump around, especially flying down a congested highway at rush hour.
If you’re buying an economy car, then gas mileage is probably high on your list of priorities and the 2014 Ford Fiesta SE will not let you down. It’s rated 27 city/38 highway for a combined 31 which will have you happily driving by the pump more often than not. There are better fuel economy performers out there, like the Nissan Versa Note, but this car is a lot more fun to drive.
The 2014 Ford Fiesta SE is a win for its fuel economy and frugal pricing combined with sporty styling and a fun driving experience.
On the TFLcar scale of:
- Buy it!
- Lease it!
- Rent it!
- … or Forget it!
I give the 2014 Ford Fiesta SE Hatch a Buy It!
Nicole Wakelin fell in love with cars as a teenager when she got to go for a ride in a Ferrari. It was red and it was fast and that was all that mattered. Game over. She considers things a bit more carefully now, but still has a weakness for fast, beautiful cars. Nicole also writes for NerdApproved and GeekMom.
