Is the Fiesta really that small?

[Pennut]

Okay so how many Fiesta owners have had people call your Fiesta small?

So really... is it that small? So lets compare it to my (ex)wifes 1981 2dr Honda civic hatchback that she had when we were married (picture is not of her Honda...it is a picture I got off the net. Hers was the same style and same color though):


1981 Honda Civic
Engine: 1.5L 67hp
Transmission: 3 speed automatic
0-60 mph in about 15 secs.
Top speed: 85 mph
Dimensions:
Length-148"
Width-62.2"
Height-52.9"
Wheelbase-88.6"
Curb weight-1608 lbs
Tires: 155/80-13

2011 Ford Fiesta (SES)
Engine: 1.6L 120hp
Transmission: 6 speed automatic
0-60 mph in about 9.6 secs.
Top speed: 118 mph
Dimensions:
Length-160.1" (hatchback)
Width-67.8"
Height-58"
Wheelbase-98"
Curb weight-2602 lbs (powershift automatic)
Tires: 195/50-16 (SES)

People forget how small and featherweight small cars were back in the 80's. Not to mention underpowered. The economy models that is. The Fiesta is a tall car for it's size. So I think it makes it look more narrow than it really is.

[Audrey]

Compared to many modern cars it is small. I think it makes sense to compare it primarily to its competitors, which would be new cars. You do offer a good point about taking things into perspective though.

[missourimule]

Interesting and it goes to the fact that fuel mileage is so hard to increase with these dramatic weight increases. That's a full 1000 pounds and the Fiesta is supposed to be a "small" car. I didn't realize how much cars have changed but thanks for bringing this to our attention.

[billnchristy]

I noticed this last week when I was next to a crx at a light and I was looking down on it like I was in an SUV.

Also I remember someone on here saying that the original focus was around fiesta size and sure enough I ended up next to one of these at a light...very close.

Crazy that the Focus got so big...if it hadn't then there wouldn't have been a need for fiesta here.

[Flagstang]

its big. my friend parked his 2003 focus zx3 next to my fiesta and they were about even. the new fiat makes the fiesta look like a boat

[Captainmorbid]

Ha ha! I parked next to a co-workers dodge charger, and the roofs were dead even!

[wmussatto]

Models seem to get larger over time and then a new model is slotted in at the original size. My wife had a Toyota Tercel hatch which was the same size as a four years older Toyota Corrola Hatch.

How about the Ford Explorer and then the Ford Escape?

People talk about the rear seat room of the Fiesta...Ford makes it larger .... then has to build something else which is the size of the original Fiesta.

If there are any old Focus owners. How much larger was the original Focus vs the current Fiesta? The 4 door hatch had disappeared when were looking the last time so I don't know.

[JLfiesta]

I previously had the original focus before the fiesta, while the focus was a sedan compared to the fiesta hatch I have now. The focus did feel like it had a bit more interior space and a much larger trunk, but it wasn't that much of a space downgrade from the focus that it would be noticeable.

[Pennut]

The Honda did get about 40 mpg highway. Pretty good considering a 3 speed transmission and a carbureted engine. Again no power though. I had a Plymouth Voyager minivan with the 2.6L made by Mitsubishi. Another slug. Like 0-60 mph in 13 secs and a top speed of 95 mph. gas mileage wasn't great either. About 24 mpg hwy. Yeah, the Fiat 500's are a good bit smaller and more narrow than the Fiesta.
I haven't driven a new focus but I sat in one while waiting for an oil change. I almost bonked my head on the doorframe getting in. The windows are not as tall as the Fiesta's I noticed. Was a couple inches wider inside, but didn't feel much bigger from the drivers seat. perhaps because of the dashboard and middle console design. The Fiesta is about .3 inches taller than the Focus. As someone mentioned on another thread, don't see why they didn't stretch the Fiesta like maybe 3 inches. Would've made the difference in rear legroom.

[billnchristy]

Also remember that's old EPA cycle and would probably be around 36 today.

Here is the 2007 Focus:

Measurements
Width: 66.7 in.
Height: 56.8 in.
Length: 168.5 in.
Ground clearance: 6.2 in.
Front track: 58.9 in.
Rear track: 58.7 in.
Wheel base: 102.9 in.
Cargo capacity, all seats in place: 18.0 cu.ft.
Maximum cargo capacity: 40.2 cu.ft.
Maximum towing capacity: 1000 lbs.
EPA interior volume: 112.0 cu.ft.
Curb weight: 2605 lbs.

And the 'sta:

Measurements
Width: 66.8 in.
Height: 58.0 in.
Length: 160.1 in.
Front track: 57.7 in.
Rear track: 57.7 in.
Wheel base: 98.0 in.
Cargo capacity, all seats in place: 15.4 cu.ft.
Maximum cargo capacity: 26 cu.ft.
EPA interior volume: 100.5 cu.ft.
Gross weight: 3620 lbs.
Curb weight: 2537 lbs.