The All-New Fiesta Active Crossover
Published Date: 19th Jun 2018
The Fiesta Active is Ford’s slant on Britain’s best-selling new car with a Crossover/SUV influence.
With sales of Crossover/SUV vehicles going from strength to strength year in, year out in the UK and indeed across Europe it makes sense that Britain’s favourite small car should enter the segment with its own small Crossover version.
Analysts predict that the Crossover/SUV segment will account for around 34 percent of new car registrations across Europe BY 2020.
New Fiesta Active in The Crossover Segment
So where does the Fiesta Active fit in the Crossover segment? Certainly, at the smallest end which might be no bad thing, there are a plethora of medium sized and indeed a fair number of larger Crossover and Sports Utility Vehicles competing in this thriving market.
The Fiesta Active will be competing with the smaller Crossovers like the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur and with the Fiesta Active retaining many of the original Fiesta’s venerable features that made it the best-seller in the UK the competition will need to beware as its sure make its mark on the small Crossover car segment.
Fiesta Active vs Traditional Fiesta
So, what have Ford done with the new Active model? For starters there’s a higher driving position, Ford have raised the ride he
ight by 18mm and the Active has its own unique suspension and damper to handle more demanding driving conditions which they call ‘Rough Road Suspension’.
Fiesta Active Drive
The Fiesta Active comes equipped with three driving modes ‘Normal’ is the default for day to day road conditions, there’s and ‘Eco’ mode for, as the name suggest running the vehicle in a more economical mode (manual transmission only) and there’s a ‘Slippery’ mode which speaks for its self, the setting uses stability and traction control, throttle adjustment and brakes to ensure more demanding, slippery road conditions are dealt with in the best manner possible.
Fiesta Active Engines
You get the choice of the 1.0 litre awarding winning Ecoboost turbo petrol engines, petrol units include 85PS, 100PS, 125PS or 140PS options. If you want some oomph then obviously the 140PS takes you from 0-62mph the quickest at 9.4 seconds (the entry-level Active model is a much more limited engine offering though). The 100PS and 125PS feel quick enough but the 85PS petrol can feel a little laboured especially with a full load of passengers and there’s little gain in running costs.
If you looking for automatic transmission you are mainly restricted to the 100PS Ecoboost engine and diesels are only offered with manual gearbox.
There are two turbocharged diesels available with the Fiesta Active range, 85PS and 120PS, units, acceleration from 0-62mph is 12.6 and 9.4 seconds respectively, whilst the 85PS unit offers the best fuel economy at around 74mpg (combined).
All enignes on the latest 68 models meet Euro 6.2 testing standards.
Fiesta Active Models
The entry-level model is the Fiesta Active 1 it shares a lot of similarities with the standard Fiesta Zetec model where equipment-levels are concerned. Inside you get front and rear electric windows, air con, 6.5-inch touchscreen, DAB radio, Ford SYNC 3, Emergency Assistance, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto. Exterior styling includes 17-inch ‘Rough Metal’ machine finished alloy wheels, a chunky body-styling kit, ‘Active’ front wing badges, silver roof rails, rear privacy glass, front fog lights and LED Night Signature to rear lights.
The next model is the Fiesta Active B&O PLAY, it adds to/improves on the entry-level model with the B&O unique/matching interior and exterior yellow colour scheme (anodized door spears, airvent "Smiley" and instrument panel). There’s also unique 17-inch ‘Shadow Black’ alloy wheels, blck contrast electric wing mirrors, a black contrast roof and roof rails.
Inside the B&O PLAY model you get a 4.2-inch TFT instrument cluster screen, Traffic Sign Recognition, Auto High Beam and a larger 8-inch infotainment system/touchscreen, as the name suggests you also get the premium B&O PLAY premium audio systems with 360 sound/10 speakers and there’s cruise control, a centre console with illuminated cup holders, automatic rain sensing windscreen wipers, and black headlining.
The top of the range Fiesta Active X model adds power-folding door mirrors, part leather and heated front seats, electronic automatic temperature control (EATC), Ford’s KeyFree System, rear parking sensor and rear-view camera.
The Fiesta Active is already making big waves and is expected to be a huge success in a Crossover segment that is going from strength to strength.
You can compare specs and deals on the full range of new Ford Fiesta cars here.