Facelifted 2022 Ford Fiesta breaks cover

• Refreshed exterior design and updated safety technology
• Only available with EcoBoost petrol engines
• Available to order now starting from £16,620

The new 2022 Ford Fiesta has been unveiled with a refreshed design, more standard equipment, upgraded technology and extra safety features. The updated Fiesta is available to order now with prices starting from £16,620, with first customer cars arriving early next year.

The best small cars and superminis in 2024

The arrival of the refreshed supermini is the first major update for the model since it was introduced in 2017. The new car will renew its rivalry with the likes of the Renault Clio, Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Polo and Vauxhall Corsa.

2021 Ford Fiesta: design 

The nose of the new Fiesta has been updated with a larger front grille, which is sharper than before. Ford’s blue oval badge has been moved onto the grille, with a more angular looking bonnet design and new LED headlight giving it a sportier look. 

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While the side profile of the car remains unchanged, the rear gets a fresh tail light design with a tinted finish. There’s also a new rear diffuser featuring a two-tone gloss black and matte black finish. 

Model specific updates for the Fiesta Active include revised bodywork cladding and a new front grille with vertical slats ST-Line models get a new gloss black honeycomb front grille with silver contrasting trim on the lower air intakes. Seven new alloy wheel designs are available across the range, ranging from 17 to 18-inches in size. Buyers can spec two new additional paint finishes as well, called Beautiful Berry and Boundless Blue. 

Interior and technology

The interior of the new car is carried over from the old one, with the biggest change being the addition of the new 12.3-inch digital dial cluster. This features various customisable displays for the different driving modes, which can be selected via a button on the steering wheel. Regular versions of the Fiesta get Normal, Sport and Eco modes as standard, with the ST hot hatchback getting a Track mode. The Active model has Trail and Slippery settings. 

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Elsewhere, the optional SYNC 3 infotainment system runs on the same eight-inch touchscreen as before, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A premium B&O stereo system and wireless charging pad are available on the options list. 

Safety 

The update includes the addition of extra safety features, including a new Wrong Way Alert system which monitors if the driver is straying into oncoming traffic via a windscreen mounted camera. In cars equipped with the SYNC 3 infotainment, a 180-degree rear-view camera is also fitted, along with a new Rear Occupant Alert system, which reminds you to check the rear seats before you leave the car. 

LED headlights are now standard on all versions of the Fiesta. Buyers can upgrade to Matrix LED versions, which can automatically adapt to bad weather conditions by adjusting the beam pattern to provide a clearer view. When using the high beam setting at night, the headlights can automatically deactivate parts of the headlamp beam to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers. 

Other safety technologies carried over from the old model include adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, blind spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking (AEB). 

Trim levels and pricing

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The entry-level Trend trim starts from £16,620, with Titanium and ST-Line models costing £19,370 and £20,320 respectively, while the Active model is priced from £20,720. Buyers can upgrade the Titanium, ST-Line and Active trim levels with an optional Vignale trim package for an extra premium. At the top of the range the flagship ST hot hatchback starts from £22,630. 

Engines and economy 

The facelifted Fiesta has the same engine options as the outgoing model, namely a range of three-cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engines. In base form, this engine produces 99bhp and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. It’s capable of fuel economy of up to 45.2mpg and emits CO2 of 118g/km. 

Above this, the same 1.0-litre unit is coupled with a 48-volt mild-hybrid starter/generator to help improve efficiency. This engine is available in 123bhp or 153bhp power outputs, with both versions capable of returning up to 48mpg and emissions of 111g/km when equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox. Opting for the automatic gearbox sees fuel economy drop to 45.2mpg and emissions increase to 117g/km. 

According to Ford, the mild-hybrid system automatically shuts off the engine when coasting below 15mph. The engine stop/start system has been tweaked to make it smoother and less intrusive. 

2022 Ford Fiesta ST

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The updated Fiesta ST gets the same front and rear end redesign as the regular model, with contrasting black and matte grey inserts dotted around the bodywork. It also gets a new alloy wheel design finished in grey and a new Mean Green paint colour, which was first seen on the Ford Puma ST in 2020. 

Every version of the ST gets a new pair of front sports seats to replace the Recaro seats fitted to the old car. These feature integrated headrests and Sensico synthetic leather trim along with contrasting red stitching. A flat-bottomed steering wheel is also fitted, featuring carbon effect trim. 

Power comes from the same turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine, which produces an identical 197bhp. It has been tweaked slightly and now has slightly more pulling power than before, although its 0-62mph sprint time of 6.5 seconds is the same as before. Buyers can also spec an optional Quaife limited-slip differential, which helps prevent wheelspin and improve traction. 

What does it mean for car buyers?

There are more affordable superminis on the market, as well those that are more upmarket and those that are more practical, but it’s almost impossible not to at least consider the Fiesta if you’re looking for a small car. Along with the Hyundai i20, it’s the best supermini to drive and there’s a Ford dealership in nearly every major town to make life easier. A wide range of models means there’s something for virtually every taste, whether you want the sporty ST-Line, rugged Active or upmarket Vignale.

While the price of the Fiesta has crept up in recent years, with more basic versions withdrawn, there’s no doubt this facelifted model makes the Fiesta better value and an even more attractive buy.

Read our guide to the best small cars, or check out the Ford Focus facelift which is also coming out in 2021.