When it comes to cars in Britain, there’s one in particular that stands out from the rest in the popularity stakes.
Now, SUVs may be all the rage at the moment and of course, the humble saloon has long been a strong presence on our roads — but this car is a supermini, and offers something for almost anyone.
Still not sure? Well, it’s been having a consistent part in the new car sales charts for years now and is showing no signs of slowing down.
If you hadn’t guessed it yet, it’s the Ford Fiesta. What makes it so popular, though? We investigate…
Just how popular is the Ford Fiesta in Britain?
Well simply put, very. If we work from statistics provided by the Society of Motor Traders and Manufacturers (SMMT), January alone saw 5,399 new examples of the Ford Fiesta sold.
You don’t even have to use hard facts to see just how popular it is. Car park or a street in view of a nearby window? Take a look and you’re undoubtedly going to see at least one example of the hatchback.
What makes it so popular?
There are a few reasons we can guess for this. First, it’s an affordable car, starting at £13,695 — offering a lot of motor for the money.
On top of that, there’s something for everyone. Need something to simply run about in on the cheap? A Zetec can do that for you. How about having a more SUV-like experience? The Active can bring that rugged edge. And of course, for the enthusiast among us, there’s the much-loved Fiesta ST — widely regarded as the best hot hatch on the market.
Let’s also not forget how long the hatch has been on sale in the UK. The Fiesta has been on sale here since 1976 and has gone on to become a household name — proving heritage carries a lot of weight.
Is anything challenging it in the popularity stakes?
There are few cars than can lay claim to be almost as popular as the Ford Fiesta. The Ford Focus and Nissan Qashqai often rank near in new sales charts, but those cars also appeal to vastly different markets — leaving the Fiesta to dominate the supermini stakes.
How much is a Ford Fiesta?
As mentioned, it’s possible to grab a new Ford Fiesta from as little as £13,695, which secures an entry-level Style model.
Next up, Zetec variants can be had from £15,465 and bring with them a higher level of specification. Following that, Titanium rounds off the more conventional line-up at £17,665.
For a sportier edge, the ST-Line brings that at a £17,415 starting price — while those looking for the full-blown hot hatch experience can get into ST ownership at £19,495. Want a more luxurious car? Vignale ticks that box with a £20,865 starting price.
