Ford Fiesta Active – driving pleasure

I took the little "red cap" (as it was called at work at home) for the test without any major expectations or emotions. I'm a bit of a conservative person and a bit skeptical of the concept of plasticizing everything and raising the chassis by 1cm anyway. This trend of making crossovers from everything the assembly line offers is incomprehensible to me, but – if people want it and buy it – why not. I was also a little worried about the connection with the three-cylinder liter engine. But that's where my fears and prejudices end…

The new Fiesta Active is designed for those who like compact hatchbacks because of their dimensions and easy parking. However, it is significantly more expensive than the standard model. For a higher price, you get a robust good-looking car with a raised suspension, which is designed to give its owner increased passability in light terrain or more confidence when parking on curbs in crowded cities. It freezes the solution of the front lights only as classic halogen parabolas with daytime lighting using an ordinary light bulb. Also, the back lid of the trunk is stuck with a rough black sticker, which I don't expect to have a long life.

Unlike the standard version, the Fiesta Active comes with just five doors, making life easier. The interior is not as spacious as, for example, in the case of the Polo and not as bold and stylish as in the C3, but the materials used and the quality of the workmanship are comparable to rivals from German concerns.

Fiesta Active is equipped with an 8-inch infotainment system with a touch screen, which is easy to operate, intuitive and, above all, faster than an average tablet or smartphone. Individual items and settings are easy to "tweak", and to top it all off, you get mirroring for Apple and Android phones. This works on the unit and I had nothing to complain about the entire infotainment during the entire time of use. The Ford SYNC 3 system can read messages in Slovak and you can also control it with voice commands.

Between the alarm clocks there is a large black-and-white display with extensive settings for displayed data on consumption, range, tire pressure, temperature, etc. The entire control of the on-board computer and the cruise control is on the steering wheel, and you can learn to operate it very easily after a short introduction. The entire backlight of the dashboard is in a beautiful turquoise blue, which in combination with white looks very stylish at night.

The front seats are quite comfortable, but they don't hold much when cornering. They are more for slimmer figures and our gentler halves, as the basic height is quite high and you can't go with a lower setting.

There are plenty of storage spaces in the central tunnel, two + one drink holder and a USB port for charging the phone of rear or front passengers in the rear holder. Other inputs are in the front part and you will also find a 12V socket with increased power. Cladding of the dashboard is standard for this class. However, the creaking of the door handles when pressing with your hand or pulling them together is a bit surprising.

An adjustable lumbar support for the driver's seat is also standard – something that is not standard in this class even at an extra cost, and which your lower back will thank you for on longer journeys.

You will feel airy in the front and there is a feeling of a lot of space, but the space in the back is a bit cramped. Ground clearance is decent, but there is not enough space in the back to transport three passengers next to each other. However, two children without or in car seats will have no problem here.

The luggage compartment is decent for the class and holds 311L and up to 1093L with the split rear seats folded down. Thanks to the raised chassis, the loading edge is a little higher, but in return, the trunk will reward you with a well-shaped opening and side pockets for small things, or a system of fastening belts for first-aid kits and mandatory equipment.

The liter three-cylinder Ford EcoBoost reaches 92 kW (125 hp) at 6,000 rpm and 170 Nm from 1,400 rpm. A diamond-type surface on the piston rings reduces friction and the turbocharger, direct injection and variable valve timing increase efficiency. The result is remarkable performance from this small fuel-efficient gasoline engine. It feels like you're on a go-kart track all the time – it's always ready to give a pull in any gear you're in. Such a flexible and well-silenced three-cylinder engine is not easily found among the competition, and you are guaranteed to have more fun with every kilometer. It is not for nothing that it has been the engine of the year for x years in a row. During the almost 800 km driven, consumption was at the level of 6.3 L/100 km, which is a very good value considering the performance and brisk driving. I am convinced that peaceful souls will definitely be rewarded with consumption at the limit of 5L/100km specified by the manufacturer.

The chassis is typically Ford – stiff, holds the track beautifully, and you don't hear shocks during the suspension or over transverse bumps. As if it was tuned exactly for our broken roads, and even 17" wheels with 205/45 tires are not a problem. The 6-speed manual transmission has short distances and you will never miss a gear even when driving more briskly. For the first time, you can tailor your Fiesta driving experience to suit the conditions with a selection of available driving modes. Whether you prefer performance, power or economy thanks to the selection of Normal, Eco and Slippery (Wet) driving modes. In Eco mode, the control unit resolutely suppresses any signs of sporty driving, and even when the gas pedal is firmly pressed, the car collects only very casually. You won't notice much difference between Normal and Slippery modes. The start-stop system works as a unit, the engine starts up almost immediately, and you won't feel like a brake at intersections and queues.

Despite its higher price, the Ford Fiesta Active is worth considering, and if you like it with a healthy dose of interesting SUV styling – don't hesitate… it's almost "eatable" in red.

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