On The Road
While CDVs are limited in their practical applications due to their roots, the Fiesta car is still considered a dynamically sound vehicle. And when a car has a well sorted chassis, converting it to a CV is that bit easier.
The Fiesta van certainly retains a lot of the qualities of the passenger version. Ford has been commended in recent years for the chassis engineering on its cars, most notably the Focus, and this expertise has filtered down to its smaller stablemate. In other words, the Fiesta van is good to drive.
What strikes you when on the road is how stable it feels. It may only be a small vehicle but it feels so well planted.
Turning into corners produces neutral handling, even when fully loaded. There’s little body roll, adding to the positive experience, and the steering is precise and quick: ideal for town driving and manoeuvring into tight spaces.
Motorway cruising is effortless and puts many a bigger vehicle to shame with it sturdiness and resistance to cross-winds. It all feels well put together, which can only be a good thing when it comes to longevity and cost of ownership.
Then there’s the engine. A derivative of the Ford/PSA turbo-diesel collaboration, the 1.4-litre common-rail unit (the first time it’s been used in the company’s van range) spins freely throughout the rev range with a good spread of torque available from low down.
On the downside the clutch does not have a lot of travel; not so good if your routes include plenty of town driving. Getting the best out of the engine requires working the five-speed box, which at first feels a touch vague in its operation; there is little in the way of mechanical feedback. But with a light action and short throw it’s easy to work.
Unfortunately we were unable to complete the brake testing but overall quality was good with a progressive pedal and no signs of fade when in constant use.
Cab Comfort
Access to the Fiesta’s cabin is hassle-free thanks to the long doors and, for a vehicle this size, roomy interior. Once inside, the driver’s seat is comfortable, if a little low-slung, and the height-adjustable steering wheel is within easy reach.
The Fiesta’s interior is not very inspiring due to the near total use of black plastic but it does have a functional, cosseting feel. The all-black look is broken up by the use of silver on the CD player (if you specified one) and around the heater vents and the fascia dials – a nice contrast that gives a sporty feel.
All major controls are within easy reach and have a solid, durable feel to them. Headroom is good, even for the taller members of CM’s test team, and rear visibility is aided by the large side windows and optional half-mesh bulkhead, allowing the use of an interior mirror. Storage space is adequate and there are three cup-holders.
There’s also a small central storage compartment for a mobile phone and a surprisingly deep glovebox. But for extra points an A4-size file compartment would be useful. Considering the likely role of the Fiesta, delivery forms and paperwork will be carried around on a constant basis.
Out on the road the Fiesta feels well insulated from the outside world.
Wind and road roar are well suppressed and the engine behaves in a civilised manner, producing little in the way of interior vibration, even when pushed.
One minor complaint concerns the small door mirrors. Accepted, you can see through the rear, even with the optional half-mesh bulkhead, but due to the side panel area there is still a blind spot to be aware of.
