~ Auto Buzz ~: 2014 Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Review

We discover huge joy in Ford’s smallest offering

There’s nothing quite like reveling in the unexpected joys of life. Finding money in one’s pocket, for example. Light traffic and a constant flow of green lights on the morning commute. Arguing with your telecom company about some suspect charges on your bill only to be offered an upgrade to your services for less money (OK, that last one is rare.)

After driving Ford’s Fiesta SE 1.0L EcoBoost, I’m happy to report that it’s an unalloyed delight to drive, even if our enthusiasm was a bit unexpected.

PROS:

Satisfying, smooth 3 cylinder power

Can achieve the best non-hybrid fuel mileage there is

Unexpectedly fun to drive

CONS:

Can be a bit upset by lumbering tractor trailers and strong crosswinds on the highway

Could use a better interface for the infotainment

THE VERDICT:

Ford’s 3 cylinder motor proves bigger (and more) isn’t always better.

That’s because not many people would put Ford’s entry level Fiesta and “entertaining to drive” in the same sentence, a fact seemingly highlighted by the appearance of our appliance white tester, looking as innocuous as possible with its plastic wheel covers, spartan interior and a freakishly tall plasticky gear lever that looked as though it was sourced from a Mexican cab. Looking forward to at least flying under the radar while flogging Ford’s diminutive turbo triple, we set out for Highway 401, quite possibly the scariest environment for a car of the Fiesta’s powertrain- wondering aloud if such a small engine possibly compete in one of the harshest environments there is, we set out.

The answer as it turns out is an overwhelming yes. 999 cubic centimeters is perfectly fine for traversing Canada’s busiest highway and any other driving context you can throw at it, thanks to the clever engineers at Ford. Making 123 horsepower and 148 torques with an overboost feature, it provides admirable thrust and is incredibly smooth even without the weight and complexity of balance shafts. It keeps up with traffic effortlessly, and can also fit comfortably in the overhead compartment of a passenger jet. Seriously.

The Fiesta 1.0 is one of those cars that you can thrash around at close to 10/10ths without worrying about losing your licence, and its actually great fun to do so. The little 3 banger isn’t the most eager to rev, but once the tach sweeps past 4,000 rpm things get interesting- all accompanied by a soundtrack that’s equal parts unique and enjoyable. Despite all this devil-may-care-attitude towards fuel economy, I still managed a stingy 8.7L/100km.

Know what else is pretty amazing? The level of refinement this little car brings to the table. Naturally, ones expectations would be tempered somewhat by piloting one of the cheapest cars on sale today. Yet the Fiesta raises high above any preconceived notions of undue NVH so well, it manages to approach an (iPhone-verified) Lexus LS460 score in terms of interior quietness at highway speed. Cool, huh?

The Fiesta also boasts a tranquil ride as well. There’s reassured body movements and generous suspension travel, and the two combine to smooth out the city’s gnarliest streets. It performs confidently on the highway, tracking straight and true until a tractor trailer on a mission tears by and upsets your path slightly. Chalk that up to the Fiesta’s feather weight at 1,176 kilos.

Yes, all these things certainly are impressive traits for such diminutive transportation, but the Fiesta excels most at making you feel guilty. After my week with the Fiesta I swapped keys for an Infiniti QX80. Opposite ends of spectrums being what they are, this monster had 4.6 liters of additional displacement and 5 more cylinders. All to do the same job in essence; get from point A to point B. The Fiesta’s game changing 1.0 EcoBoost provides a glimpse into the small displacement/forced induction future of the internal combustion engine, and perhaps into the idea that we don’t need such big engines lumbering across our network of roads.