Latest News
2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Review
Get to know the UK’s most popular car and one of the best-selling cars of all time as you take a look at all of the different Ford Fiesta generations.
Forty-seven Years of the Ford Fiesta
media.ford.com | Shop Ford Fiesta on Carsforsale.com
The Ford Fiesta was one of the best-selling cars of all time. The sales figures are still legendary, and the first-ever Ford hatchback has definitely earned icon status, particularly in the United Kingdom. While the Fiesta would go in and out of other countries, like the United States, Brazil, and Australia, it was a constant in the UK. It was a top-selling vehicle almost since it launched in the 1970s.
As an American, it’s hard to fully grasp the impact the Fiesta had, but looking at social media posts after Ford announced that it was discontinuing the Fiesta, it became clear. People loved that little car! It was the car they drove for the first time, the family car they grew up in, and the cop car you had to slow down for. People have memories attached to the Ford Fiesta. Despite all of that, Ford discontinued the Fiesta after the 2023 model year. It may no longer be in active production, but the Ford Fiesta provided a blueprint to Ford on how to handle small vehicles. It didn’t excel at a multitude of things, but the Fiesta was a compact car that did its job well.
1st Generation Ford Fiesta (1976-1983)
- Ford higher-ups were already working on a fuel-efficient vehicle, but after the oil crisis of the 1970s unfolded, the plans were placed into high gear. The Fiesta, codenamed “Bobcat” at the time, was approved for design in September 1972.
- The Fiesta was to be produced in Valencia, Spain. Additional manufacturing took place in Saarlouis, Germany and Dagenham, England. It was available in North America
- Henry Ford II chose the “Fiesta” name to celebrate Ford’s new relationship with Spain, but others within the company were advocating for the name, “Bravo.”
- Available in Europe with a Valencia 957 cubic centimeter (cc) inline-four engine, the Fiesta could also be equipped with a 1,117-cc engine. The 957-cc engine had a top speed of 85 miles per hour (mph).
- The Fiesta was configured in a front-wheel drive (FWD) setup.
- Trims included the Base, Popular, Popular Plus, and the L. The starting cost for the three-door hatchback was £1856.
- The Ford Fiesta’s profile was raised with an appearance in the James Bond flick, The Spy Who Loved Me.
- A GL trim was added in 1978. The 1978 model was made available in the United States in August 1977. Though it was similar, the U.S. version differed from the UK version just a bit. It had bigger bumpers and rounder headlights.
- It costs just $3,450 for a base-level 1978 Ford Fiesta. The more equipped Fiesta Ghia, which did 90 miles per hour, had a price tag of $4,200. At those prices, Ford sold 81,273 Fiestas to U.S. customers in 1978.
- By 1979, a million Ford Fiesta models had already sold.
- An off-roading Ford Fiesta Tuareg concept car was made in conjunction with Ghia Operations in Turin, Italy. It would be on display at the 1979 auto shows.
- Ford, without a clear reason, didn’t produce the Fiesta in the North American market after the 1980 model was released. Despite 68,841 units being sold in 1980, North Americans wouldn’t see another Fiesta until well into the next century!
- The 1981 Ford Fiesta XR2 was the first Fiesta hot hatch. It had a 1.6-liter engine and reached over 100 mph. The XR2 and Supersport models are hard to come by these days, making them collector’s items for Fiesta fans.
- The newly available XR2 wasn’t the only change for the 1981 models, though. Across the lineup, larger bumpers were added to meet safety regulations.
- Nearing the end of the first generation of the Fiesta, Ford had already sold a million of these superminis.
2nd Generation Ford Fiesta (1983–1988)
- The second-generation 1983 Ford Fiesta was larger and more fuel-efficient. Some of the changes included new engines like a 1.6-liter diesel.
- A five-speed transmission was made available on the wider 1983 Ford Fiesta.
- Cosmetic changes included wraparound headlights. There wasn’t an extreme change in looks, but it was rounder up front. Inside, the dashboard was given a slight makeover, too.
- The XR2 was still available and even received a 1.6-liter CVH engine for the 1984 model. This was the same engine that was previously used for the Ford Escort XR3.
- By now the British Police force was using the Fiesta as some of their police vehicles.
- For the 1984 model, the Ford Fiesta was given improved suspension and brakes. It was the first Fiesta model that could run on unleaded gasoline, too.
- An automatic transmission was made available for the first time when the 1987 Ford Fiesta was rolled off the production line. The continuously variable transmission could be mated to a 1.0-liter, 1.1-liter, 1.4-liter, or 1.6-liter gasoline engine. A diesel engine was also still an option.
- Sales continued climbing. In fact, 158,000 Ford Fiesta models were sold in Britain in 1987 alone. By 1989, just two years later, total sales figures had already surpassed 4.5 million.
3rd Generation Ford Fiesta (1989–1996)
- Not about to stop the great momentum with the Fiesta, Ford introduced the MKIII to start the third generation of the vehicle.
- A new design allowed for more efficiency that was needed in order to meet European emissions standards. It was longer and wider with an increased wheelbase.
- The extra length allowed Ford to debut a five-door hatchback which competed against the likes of the Renault Clio and Volkswagen Polo. Other competitors included the Peugeot 205 and Fiat Uno.
- The XR2 was kept, but in a modified way: it became the XR2i with a fuel-injected engine. The XR2i was launched with 1.6-liter gasoline twin cam engine and a five-speed gearbox.
- Ford also introduced the RS Turbo with a variant of the 1.6-liter engine that provided 131 horsepower.
- The 1989 Fiesta was the first vehicle with ABS anti-lock brakes.
- The 1990 Fiesta Turbo, which was launched at the Turin Motor Show, had a Garrett turbo that made 132 horsepower.
- It was the 1990 lineup that also introduced the three-door Fiesta courier van.
- Drivers’ seat airbags became a standard feature for the 1991 Ford Fiesta.
4th Generation Ford Fiesta (1996–2001)
- When the MKIV, or fourth-generation 1996 Ford Fiesta, was released, it rolled out with a less angular frame. More rounded, the shape was the most aerodynamic yet.
- Engines included a 1.25-liter, a 1.4-liter, a 1.6-liter, and a 1.8-liter diesel. These Zetec SE-engines were eventually named Duratec.
- Dual airbags became a standard feature with the introduction of the fourth-generation Fiesta.
- The Mazda 121 and Ford Fiesta Mark IV shared a design, were built on the same production lines, and had almost the exact same parts throughout the vehicles. The Mazda 121 models didn’t sell as quickly as the well-established Fiesta, however.
- The 1997 Fiesta was introduced to the South African market as the Endura. That same year the Ford Puma three-door coupe, based on the Fiestas design, was also introduced, built exclusively at the Cologne plant in Germany.
- The Ford Fiesta received a mid-life facelift by the time 1999 models were released. This is where some of the numbers get messy. It is referred to as the MKV in the UK but it wasn’t a new generation in other areas.
- 2000 Fiesta models were given a new 1.8-liter turbodiesel engine.
- This fourth generation of Fiestas is when it became the UK’s top-selling car for the first time.
5th Generation Ford Fiesta (2002–2007)
- In contrast to previous generations, the fifth-generation Ford Fiesta took on a boxier look.
- This was the first model that utilized anti-lock brakes and passenger airbags as standard features.
- The fifth-generation Fiesta Mark V (or Mark VI in the UK) quickly became the best-selling generation of the Fiesta to that point, perhaps thanks to the Fiesta finally being made available in Asia and Australia for the first time.
- The engines (most of which were carried over from before) ranged from the 1.0-liter gasoline to 2.0-liter diesel. They now carried the Duratec name since Zetec was reserved for sportier models.
- Keeping the hot hatch trend going, Ford offered the Fiesta Zetec-S and ST models, too.
- Ford displayed a Ford Fiesta Rally concept at the Birmingham, England motor show. Designed by Ford RallyeSport and Ford Design Europe, it had a 1.6-liter Duratec engine that was rated for 200 horsepower.
- The ST Cup was another special version of the Fiesta. This one was introduced to German touring car racing in 2003. The next year Ford revealed the Fiesta JWRC Concept at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show.
- A facelift in 2005 included Bluetooth capability, MP3 compatibility, automatic headlights, and power-folding door mirrors. The 2005 model was the first that was released in India, too.
- The 2005 Fiesta was actually the most powerful yet, capable of putting out 145 horsepower.
- To mark the 30th anniversary of the Fiesta, Ford offered a limited edition Zetec S, made available in Radian yellow with a roof that mimicked the checkered racing flag.
6th Generation Ford Fiesta (2008–2017)
- The next generation of the Ford Fiesta had a 1.6-liter Duratec Ti-VCT gasoline engine.
- To satisfy the demand for more eco-friendly cars, Ford gave car shoppers the Fiesta ECOnetic. It had a 1.6-liter TDCI diesel engine which became UK’s most fuel-efficient five-seater, earning 76.3 mpg.
- Besides being produced in Valencia, Spain, the 2009 Fiesta was also put together in in Cologne, Germany and Nanjing, China.
- Ford took a new approach with manufacturing vehicles under the “One Ford” strategy, which aimed for single models to be sold globally. Soon the Fiesta was being produced in Mexico and Brazil, too.
- Fast forwarding a few years, the 2011 Ford Fiesta was the first model since 1980 that was made available in America. Unlike much of the competition, like the Honda Fit, the fiesta was made available in sedan and hatchback body styles.
- A special edition Fiesta S1600 was given a 1.6-liter 134PS Duratec Ti-VCT engine.
- 2012 models were unchanged from the previous year, but 2013 Fiesta models were rearranged a little bit so that hatchback and sedan models had the same trim levels and the same features.
- The 2014 Fiesta received a facelift that was on display at the Paris Motor Show. Not only did the 2014 Fiesta look different, but it was also updated with the latest technology like Ford MyKey. Keyless entry, keyless start, electric power-assisted steering, and parking sensors added, too.
- Kicking out the most power was the 2014 Ford Fiesta ST with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder. Mated to a manual transmission, it made 197 horsepower and 214 lb-ft of torque.
- Another first for the Fiesta was a three-cylinder 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine under the hood.
- Two different two-tone Fiesta special editions were released
- By the time 2014 rolled around, the Ford Fiesta (already at icon status) reached another milestone: it became the best-selling car in the UK of all time.
- 2015 models weren’t changed much, but a new Performance Blue Color was available on the Fiesta ST. Even though the 2016 Fiesta was the last one in the sixth generation, it did get several updates, including a new Sync 3 infotainment system, standard remote keyless entry on the S trim, and an optional Black coloring package on the SE trim.
7th Generation Ford Fiesta (2017-2021)
- Though the U.S. version continued on without change, the 2017 Ford Fiesta kicked off the seventh generation of the compact in other areas.
- Ford catered to everyone’s needs with the 2017 Fiesta. A variety of models each served a different purpose. Three new additions were the more luxurious Fiesta Vignale, the efficient Fiesta Mild Hybrid, and the more crossover-style Fiesta Active.
- Beyond the new models, the 2017 Fiesta was loaded with updated technology. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless phone charging capabilities were all included.
- The 2017 Fiesta was the first Ford to have the Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection feature that tracked pedestrian movements with a wider camera angle.
- After already selling 38,000 Ford Fiesta ST three-door models in Europe, the Ford Fiesta ST was available in Europe in a five-door body style for the first time.
- 2018 Fiesta models now came with a standard rearview camera. The 3.5-inch center display was upgraded with a 4.2-inch screen. Another change for the 2018 Fiesta was the elimination of the 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine.
- Ford announced that it would stop making hatchbacks and sedans in coming years, and they started with the Ford Fiesta in North America. The 2019 model was the last Fiesta available to North American customers.
- 2020 Fiesta models included new features like Matrix LED headlamps, a 12.3-inch customizable instrument display, and a Wrong-Way Alert. Vignale pack variants added luxury specifications for the Titanium, ST-Line, and Active models.
- 2021 brought some changes with it. First, the lineup: the Trend, Titanium, ST-Line, and Active. Each had unique styling points and were available in a range of colors.
- Some of the updates included LED headlights on all trims, a higher nose, larger grilles, a local hazard information warning and a wrong-way alert, and a fully configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
2021 Ford Fiesta – fiesta.fordpresskits.com | Shop Ford Fiesta on Carsforsale.com
- The Vignale was no longer a separate trim level. Instead, for the 2021 Fiesta, it was simply an option package that featured leather seats and bespoke wheels.
- Powertrains on the 2021 Fiesta consisted of a range of 1.0-liter EcoBoost Hybrid and 1.0-liter non-hybrid EcoBoost gasoline engines.
- Despite the updates and prices that were all under £25,000, the Vauxhall Corsa took the honor of being the UK’s best-selling car in 2021. The Fiesta was still on the top 10 list of best-selling new vehicles, though.
- Ford announced on October 25, 2022 that it would end production of the Fiesta sometime in 2023. In preparing for an electrified Europe and the 2030 UK ban on new diesel and gasoline cars, Ford was shifting focus to electrified vehicles in the region. Unfortunately, the Fiesta isn’t in those plans right now.
Previous Article
Was the NASCAR Chicago race a success?
Next Article
2024 Hyundai Tucson Review
