The New Fiesta

Auto Show. Shown in sedan and four-door hatchback forms, it's a nice-looking car; it's a lot like the Mazda2 that was also unveiled at this show, which shares Ford's global B-car platform but has the Mazda-signature smiling grille. The Fiesta sedan is more easily recognized as a Ford because it has the characteristic three-bar chrome grille. The hatchback has an unadorned narrower opening just below the hood line. The optional 16-inch alloy wheels look good, and the step-up 17-inch designs are excellent. The 15-inch steel wheels were nowhere to be found under the bright show lights.

Unlike the Mazda2s shown here, which aren't fully ready for North American prime time, Ford offered full access to two SEL models. Earlier this year we drove a European version of the Ford Fiesta subcompact car and were impressed with both the way it drives and its interior quality. At the time, Ford said the interior was close to what we'd get in the U.S. version. They weren't lying. The materials quality is on the high side for the class, but I have to admit I'm not sold by the soft-touch dashboard, which Ford has claimed as a segment exclusive. Yes, it's soft...ish, but it's also a little glossy — at least as it appears here at the auto show, where things often get subjected to a preponderance of Armor All. There's a big emphasis on soft-touch dashboards these days, but now I have to wonder what's worse: a hard dashboard that looks good, or a soft dashboard that looks hard?

More impressive are the standard features — including driver's seat height adjustment and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel — and some other class-exclusive options like keyless access and push-button start.