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Ford Fiesta

From Project Bobcat to more than 22 million Fiestas sold.12

Researched October 23, 2026 from 30 sources

At a glance

0150300
40–212 hpPower
07501,500
715–1,267 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.128

Engine
Valencia/Kent to CVH, Zetec and Duratec; diesels, EcoBoost and 48V hybrids129
Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive2
Gearbox
4–6-speed manuals; CVT; 4/6-speed automatics; 6/7-speed DCT469
Built at
Early: Almussafes, Spain; Dagenham, UK. Final generation: Cologne, Germany12
Units built
About 16.7 million built by May 201612

The story

Built to challenge the Renault 5 and Fiat 127, Project Bobcat became Ford Europe's first multinational front-wheel-drive car in 1976. Engineers in Cologne and Dunton were backed by new factories in Valencia and Bordeaux.13

1976: Fiesta reaches France and Germany19761983: Five speeds and CVH for the Mk219831989: Five doors and the injected XR2i19892013: Turbo ST: 197 hp on high octane20132016: ST200: 212 hp on overboost20162018: ST goes three-cylinder; US misses out20182020: 48-volt assistance reaches the Fiesta2020 Ford Fiesta (first generation) (Mk1): 1976–1983Mk1Ford Fiesta (second generation) (Mk2): 1983–1989Mk2Ford Fiesta (third generation) (BE13): 1989–1997BE13Ford Fiesta (fourth generation) (BE91): 1995–2002 (Europe)BE91Ford Fiesta (fifth generation) (BE256): 2002–2008 (Europe); to 2014 (Brazil)BE256Ford Fiesta (seventh generation) (B479): 2017–2023B479 19801990200020102020
GenerationsMilestones124591321
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1976–1983Ford Fiesta (first generation) (Mk1)
1983–1989Ford Fiesta (second generation) (Mk2)
1989–1997Ford Fiesta (third generation) (BE13)
1995–2002 (Europe)Ford Fiesta (fourth generation) (BE91)
2002–2008 (Europe); to 2014 (Brazil)Ford Fiesta (fifth generation) (BE256)
2017–2023Ford Fiesta (seventh generation) (B479)
1976Fiesta reaches France and Germany
1983Five speeds and CVH for the Mk2
1989Five doors and the injected XR2i
2013Turbo ST: 197 hp on high octane
2016ST200: 212 hp on overboost
2018ST goes three-cylinder; US misses out
202048-volt assistance reaches the Fiesta
  1. 1976

    Fiesta reaches France and Germany

    Sales start in France and Germany in September; the UK follows in 1977. The first North American run covers model years 1978–1980.2

  2. 1983

    Five speeds and CVH for the Mk2

    A wider front structure accommodates five-speed gearboxes and CVH engines; this generation also gains the Fiesta's first diesel.24

  3. 1989

    Five doors and the injected XR2i

    Mk3 adds a five-door hatchback and the fuel-injected XR2i. It later lives on as the Fiesta Classic until 1997.25

  4. 2013

    Turbo ST: 197 hp on high octane

    North American 2014 ST: a 1.6-liter four with 20-second overboost. Full power needs high octane; testing on 93 octane returns 25 mpg.67

  5. 2016

    ST200: 212 hp on overboost

    Europe's ST200 delivers 212 hp and 320 Nm on overboost, with a shorter 4.06:1 final drive in place of 3.82:1.68

  6. 2018

    ST goes three-cylinder; US misses out

    An all-new 1.5-liter EcoBoost triple keeps 197 hp, adds cylinder deactivation and offers a limited-slip differential. The new ST skips the US.910

  7. 2020

    48-volt assistance reaches the Fiesta

    July brings 1.0-liter EcoBoost mild hybrids offering 124 or 153 hp, backed by a 48-volt battery and belt-driven starter/generator.911

Every generation

  • Ford Fiesta (first generation)
    Mk11976–1983
  • Ford Fiesta (second generation)
    Mk21983–1989
  • Ford Fiesta (third generation)
    BE131989–1997
  • Ford Fiesta (fourth generation)
    BE911995–2002 (Europe)
  • Ford Fiesta (fifth generation)
    BE2562002–2008 (Europe); to 2014 (Brazil)
  • Ford Fiesta (seventh generation)
    B4792017–2023
  • Ford Puma (electric)
    Ford Puma (electric)

Power over the years

From 40 hp to 212 hp in 40 years.

0100200300 19801990200020102020 hp 1976 · 40 hp · 950 low-compression Valencia1981 · 84 hp · XR2 1.6 Kent1984 · 96 hp · Mk2 XR2 1.6 CVH1990 · 131 hp · RS Turbo1992 · 128 hp · RS1800 1.8 Zetec2004 · 148 hp · ST 2.0 Duratec (Geneva debut)2011 · 132 hp · Sport+ 1.6 Ti-VCT2013 · 197 hp · ST 1.6 EcoBoost (overboost)2016 · 212 hp · ST200 (overboost)2018 · 197 hp · ST 1.5 EcoBoost three-cylinder2020 · 124 hp · 1.0 EcoBoost mild hybrid, 124 hp2020 · 153 hp · 1.0 EcoBoost mild hybrid, 153 hp 212 hp ST200 (overboost) 40 hp 950 low-compression Valencia
1345689111314
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
197640950 low-compression Valencia
198184XR2 1.6 Kent
198496Mk2 XR2 1.6 CVH
1990131RS Turbo
1992128RS1800 1.8 Zetec
2004148ST 2.0 Duratec (Geneva debut)
2011132Sport+ 1.6 Ti-VCT
2013197ST 1.6 EcoBoost (overboost)
2016212ST200 (overboost)
2018197ST 1.5 EcoBoost three-cylinder
20201241.0 EcoBoost mild hybrid, 124 hp
20201531.0 EcoBoost mild hybrid, 153 hp

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Base, Popular, L, GL, Ghia, S and Bravo

    Standard

    Base, Popular, L, GL, Ghia, S and Bravo

    1976–1983

  • Trend, Cool & Connect, Titanium, Vignale, ST-Line, Active

    Standard

    Trend, Cool & Connect, Titanium, Vignale, ST-Line, Active

    2017–2023

  • Si, Zetec S, S1600/Sport+ and Red/Black Editions

    Performance

    Si, Zetec S, S1600/Sport+ and Red/Black Editions

  • Supersport and first-generation XR2

    Performance

    Supersport and first-generation XR2

    1980–1983

  • Second-generation XR2 and Turbo Technics

    Performance

    Second-generation XR2 and Turbo Technics

    1984–1989

  • XR2i, RS Turbo and RS1800

    Performance

    XR2i, RS Turbo and RS1800

  • ST/XR4, ST 500 and Mountune

    Performance

    ST/XR4, ST 500 and Mountune

  • ST 1.6 EcoBoost

    Performance

    ST 1.6 EcoBoost

    197 hp
  • ST 1.5 EcoBoost

    Performance

    ST 1.5 EcoBoost

    2018–2023

    197 hp

  • Limited

    ST200

    197 hp

  • Limited

    ST Performance Edition

    2019

    197 hp

    600 built

  • Limited

    ST Edition

    2020

    197 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • Mk1: an angular three-door hatch; ordinary European trims have small rectangular headlights.115
  • Mk2: headlights wrap around the front corners beneath a more bulbous hood.4
  • 2008 design: swept-back headlights and a large inverted-trapezoid lower grille.20
  • 2008 hatchback: high-set rear-corner lamps above a dark gray lower diffuser.20
  • Active: roof rails, extra ground clearance and protective cladding along the body sides.16

Year by year

  1. Late 1981

    First-generation bumpers grow to meet revised crash requirements.1

  2. 1983

    The second generation introduces a revised nose with wraparound headlights.4

  3. 1993

    Third-generation cars receive revised door mirrors and fresh wheel-cover designs.5

  4. 1999

    The fourth-generation facelift adopts a Focus-style nose, new bumpers and different wheel designs.21

  5. 2013 Europe / 2014 US

    A new trapezoidal grille marks the sixth-generation facelift.6

  6. 2022

    A new front bumper and standard LED headlights identify the facelift; higher trims offer matrix LEDs.911

Against its rivals

  • Peugeot 208 GTi

    Fiesta vs Peugeot 208 GTi

    Anglesey lap lower is better

    Fiesta68.7 s
    Peugeot 208 GTi69 s
    23

  • Fiesta vs Renaultsport Clio 200 EDC Lux

    Anglesey lap lower is better

    Fiesta68.7 s
    Renaultsport Clio 200 EDC Lux69.7 s
    23

Prices

Price when newAuction sale
$0$10K$20K$30K 2010201520202025 2011 · $13,995 · US base2014 · $22,195 · US ST base2014 · $24,985 · US ST as tested2019 · $20,400 · UK ST 2-door, printed USD equivalent 2022 · $1,900 · 1978 modified 4-speed project, 63k mi shown, BaT2026 · $16,750 · 2016 ST, 29k miles, BaT2026 · $7,400 · 2014 Fiesta ST, 115k miles, BaT $16.8K BaT, 2026
71022282930
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2011Price when new$13,995US base
2014Price when new$22,195US ST base
2014Price when new$24,985US ST as tested
2019Price when new$20,400UK ST 2-door, printed USD equivalent
2022Auction sale$1,9001978 modified 4-speed project, 63k mi shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$16,7502016 ST, 29k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$7,4002014 Fiesta ST, 115k miles, BaT

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “475 wins from 3,147 starts”
    • “22 million sold before the line stopped”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 7 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 30 sources
  1. Ford Fiesta (first generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Ford Fiesta - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. Fast Fiestas - Quaife Looks Back at the history of Ford's hot hatch quaife.co.uk
  4. Ford Fiesta (second generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. Ford Fiesta (third generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  6. Ford Fiesta (sixth generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  7. 2014 Ford Fiesta ST Tested: It's a Party All Right caranddriver.com
  8. First Drive: 2017 Ford Fiesta ST200 caranddriver.com
  9. Ford Fiesta (seventh generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  10. 2018 Ford Fiesta ST: Smaller Engine, Even More Fun caranddriver.com
  11. Used Ford Fiesta (Mk7 2017-2023) buyers guide: a solid second-hand supermini | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  12. 40 Jahre Ford Fiesta: vom "Bobcat" zu Europas beliebtestem Kleinwagen | Presseportal presseportal.de
  13. Ford Fiesta (fifth generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  14. Ford Fiesta Sport+ 1.6 Ti-VCT upgraded to 134 PS - paultan.org paultan.org
  15. 1982 Ford Fiesta XR2 For Sale by Auction themarket.co.uk
  16. Start frei für den neuen Ford Fiesta: Markteinführung am 8. Juli - Preisliste ... | Presseportal presseportal.de
  17. Ford Fiesta Red and Black Editions revealed | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  18. 1987 Ford Fiesta XR2 For Sale by Auction themarket.co.uk
  19. Limited-run Ford Fiesta ST Edition sprints in | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  20. Ford Fiesta: design story - Car Body Design carbodydesign.com
  21. Ford Fiesta (fourth generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  22. 2011 Ford Fiesta (U.S. Spec) First Drive - Motor Trend motortrend.com
  23. Ford Fiesta ST vs Peugeot 208 GTi vs Renault Clio RS: 2013 group test | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  24. Ein Erfolgstyp sagt Goodbye: Ford Fiesta WRC blickt auf drei WM-Titel und rund 475 ... | Presseportal presseportal.de
  25. SVENSKA OLSBERGS MSE BYGGER SPECIALGJORD FORD FIESTA FÖR KEN BLOCKS NYA GYMKHANA-FILM | Ford Sverige - Hedin HMC Motor Company AB mynewsdesk.com
  26. Everyday Racers Gather at the Starting Line in High-Performance Dailies forza.net
  27. Ford Fiesta Mk7 common problems (2008-2017) – Haynes Manuals United Kingdom uk.haynes.com
  28. No Reserve: Modified 1978 Ford Fiesta 4-Speed Project for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $1,900 on April 2, 2022 (Lot #69,546) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. 29k-Mile 2016 Ford Fiesta ST for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $16,750 on August 15, 2026 (Lot #257,997) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. 2014 Ford Fiesta ST for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $7,400 on October 12, 2026 (Lot #267,968) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • quaife.co.uk
  • caranddriver.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • presseportal.de
  • paultan.org
  • themarket.co.uk
  • carbuyer.co.uk
  • carbodydesign.com
  • motortrend.com
  • mynewsdesk.com
  • forza.net
  • uk.haynes.com
  • bringatrailer.com

Photo credits

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