Car Statistics: Ford - Fiesta Series 08 (5 stars)

Styling (5 stars)

The antithesis of the old model - dynamic, modern and available in some truly eye-catching colours such as the metallic Hot Magenta red. The interior styling is, if anything, even better with a funky mobile-phone-inspired dashboard. Thankfully, it is also extremely easy to use.

Handling (5 stars)

Steering is arguably a little light, but the handling is excellent. In Zetec S guise it is a latter-day Puma sports car, but all versions are great fun on winding roads, no matter how bumpy the surface.

Comfort (4 stars)

The seats are well shaped and comfortable even for long journeys. The driver's seat adjusts across a wider range than average and the steering wheel adjusts for both reach and height - you would have to be a very unusual shape not to get comfortable in this car. The standard suspension offers a very good compromise between ride and handling. Unusually, the sports version on bigger wheels still offers a good ride - a little firmer but extremely well controlled.

Quality (4 stars)

The new Fiesta feels like a quality item made from high quality materials. The new dashboard looks remarkably upmarket for a car in this class. Mechanically, Fords have earned a pretty good reputation in recent years for durability.

Performance (4 stars)

All models bar the entry-level 60 bhp petrol (which almost no-one in the UK will buy) are sprightly and the engines are so refined that you can use every last drop of performance. The diesel is particularly refined and willing - it is easy to find you are revving it beyond 3000 rpm in the gears before remembering it is a diesel and that you are wasting fuel.

Roominess (4 stars)

The front seats could come from a much larger car and there is plenty of room in the rear: we put two 6'3' men in the rear seats and headroom was not a problem. The boot is slightly larger than in the previous model.

Costs (4 stars)

Ford has gone to great lengths to reduce insurance ratings on the new Fiesta, with lights positioned away from likely impacts and 'crash cans' to minimise structural damage to the bodyshell - the base model is the lowest possible Group 1E. Fuel economy is improved across the range and servicing costs are likely to be low.

Value (3 stars)

The Fiesta's value for money has taken a hit with the run of five price rises in a year. Some models have gone up by as much as £2,000 - a significant percentage of the overall value.

Stereo (4 stars)

The stereo system is unusually good for a car in this class. With the optional aux in plus USB connector, iPods can be controlled directly from the dashboard with the iPod display appearing on the car's audio screen. No sat nav is available - Ford's attitude is that people buying a £10K car just buy a TomTom.