Ford Fiesta minor change

Ford's entry level compact car, the Fiesta, has been given a minor change after having this car around since it's American debut in 2010 and it's been three years since the Fiesta is now considered part of the One Ford approach. Not only Americans got the Ford Fiesta but also ASEAN markets as well, including Thailand. So, what's up for this minor change?

2014 Ford Fiesta Sedan

2014 Ford Fiesta

For its minor change, what you'll not going to like about it is the front view because while Ford is super busy stealing the Aston Martin face to plaster it on future models, especially the current-generation Ford Fusion, customers are getting mixed reactions about Ford's move to incorporate the signature look that looks like it came from Aston Martin. Of course, Aston Martin used to be part of the Ford until the British sportscar maker got owned by the Kuwaiti so if designers from Ford said that if they want to steal something, steal from the best and the best that Ford consider was Aston Martin.

I'm not sure about what would they think about the new Fiesta's look but I believe that most people are going to alienate away from its new look and go back to its pre-facelifted look instead or for worse, meet up with its rivals such as the Chevrolet Sonic because well, Sonics are better than Fiestas and I'm sorry, that's not worth it.

2014 Ford Fiesta interior

Okay, if the new exterior's not worth it, how about the interior? You might think it would be more user friendly than the Sonic but...it isn't. It isn't even that close because even though it has a plush interior that feels like you're sipping a warm sherry on a monsoon, there's this utterly complicated SYNC with MyFord Touch which Consumer Reports said it still...wait for it...wait for it...wait for it...STINKS!

Why? Consumer Reports believed that most interiors of Fords of today are in question of a full touch screen system that replaces conventional knobs and buttons. Are touch screens better than those with those conventional knobs and buttons? Well, the jury's still out there and even when the new 2014 Ford Fiesta comes with voice controls, it's still what Consumer Reports said as “maddeningly fussy and can be hard to distinguish.” Oh my glob...

Consumer Reports' frustration with MyFord touch is beginning to worry Ford themselves and pretty soon, they are going to resolve it by replacing touch screens with conventional knobs or buttons in future models. It's for the good but annoyingly, tad old-fashioned.

Anyway, while the MyFord touch fiasco now applies on the Fiesta, how about how it drives? Well, you'll still have the 1.6L Ti-CVT 4-cylinder engine which develops a measly 120HP of power and 112lb-ft of torque and it can be mated with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed Powershift. Because the front has some MacPherson struts, it feels a bit more European but it's about more of an...well, macadamia nut that you can't crack it alone. 

But don't be fooled about the cheap ergonomics and the cheap pricing of under 14 grand and the sizing because even though it doesn't look quite as good as the pre-facelift, there's more misadventures waiting for the new Fiesta and since it's summer, consider this car to be on the list. If you had friends, then it's more fun to enjoy your summer days going out to the mall or to the arcade or to the laser tag or anything that's on your list. Well, since there's a whole lot to do because school starts this fall, consider it a must have if you just ignored the pathetic MyFord touch and the pathetic Aston Martin copycat front.

Available Colors: Blue Candy, Tuxedo Black, Race Red, Performance Blue, Green Envy, Ruby Red, Ingot Silver, Oxford White, and Storm Gray.

Photo: Ford Motor Company