• Aging design but remains easy to use
• Comfortable driving position for most
• Some switchgear feeling dated

It’s easy to establish a comfortable driving position in the Ford Fiesta and it should suit most drivers thanks to its wide range of adjustments and a steering wheel that can be altered for angle and distance.

Despite its age, the dashboard looks and feels reasonably good, although some of the switchgear – inspired by mid-2000s mobile phones – is looking as outdated as the handsets it once mimicked. Even the upgraded Sony system is a bit fiddly to navigate quickly.

Forward visibility is fine – the windscreen feels far away from you like in an MPV – but the rising window line means the view out of the back is narrow. At least the large door mirrors compensate for this.

Higher-spec models feature ambient lighting to lift the cabin’s atmosphere and make it feel a little classier, while the instrumentation is clear, although the dials are a little on the small side if we’re being picky.

Comfort

• Supportive front seats offer great support
• Space in the rear is tighter than newer rivals
• ST’s ride quality can be firm and bouncy

Ford Fiesta comfort is generally good for all on board with decent amounts of legroom front and rear. The seats are well sculpted and supportive making them ideal for longer motorway trips, even more so on versions fitted with sports or Recaro front seats.

While headroom is good for those in the front, the sloping roofline means that it’s not as generous for those in the back – a taller passenger’s head will brush the roof lining, but it’s fine for most kids.

Excellent soundproofing means road, wind and engine noise aren’t a concern plus all models get an excellent sound system and the powerful air-con will keep the interior cool on even the hottest of days.

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Firmer Fiesta ST ride quality

Although an unashamedly sporty car, Ford Fiesta ST comfort levels are surprisingly high. The Recaro seats are supportive and very well-bolstered, holding you tightly in place through the faster corners.

Ride quality is excellent on smooth surfaces but an undulating B-road can unsettle the ST as the dampers struggle to keep pace with the topography of the road.

Inevitably, the engine note is louder than in a normal Fiesta, but for the most part it is fun rather than boomy – perfectly in keeping with the ST’s character.