I think the best small car anyone can buy locally is the Ford Fiesta. Now that’s a belief that would probably be challenged based on arguments coming from various perspectives, but here’s my take. I would speculate that the best small car today is either the Fiat 500 Abarth or the Ctiroen DS.

Thing is, both aren’t sold locally so the choices that remain would be the Honda Jazz, the Mazda 2, the Toyota Yaris, the Suzuki Swift, and, for the lower rungs of the class, the Hyundai i10 and Getz.

I always fantasized owning one ever since the Fiesta was announced. Too bad that when I was in the market for a new car, Ford Philippines wasn’t sure if ever Ford will be selling it here. What I particularly like about the Fiesta is the combination of practicality, stylishness, and fun drive.

Price-wise the Fiesta, the Jazz, Swift, Mazda 2 and the Yaris fall in the average. If you want a good cheaper small car, then better arguments can be made for the Hyundai cars. But since I own an i10, I’d have to say it’s a cheap car to buy, fun car to drive, but I have to concede that the other cars (other than the Getz) are considerably better cars.

The Swift feels like it’s trying too hard and the Yaris doesn’t have the X-factor. As for the Mazda2, sure Mazda and Ford share platforms and tech, but the 2 just seems a step lower than the Fiesta – much like how the 3 feels compared with the Focus. If ever the Fiesta will have a pretty good competitor, it’s going to be the Jazz. The Jazz has more headroom and Honda’s been a tried and tested badge here.

The Philippine Fiesta’s powered by either a 1.4L or a 1.6L dishing out 95 hp and 120 hp respectively. Performance-wise those power figures, combined with the relative small body, would allow the Fiesta to outrun many of the small compact sedans in the market today. Fuel returns are decent as well for those who are conscious about gasoline prices. Diesels have been sold elsewhere but they’re not available as standard choices locally.

Probably one drawback for the Fiesta is the name. In the Philippine context, it doesn’t sound cool or sporty enough
since it invokes images of patron saints, banderitas, lechon and whatnot. Those are fun but not cool. The good thing is, the rival cars aren’t named any better, in my opinion.

The Jazz doesn’t have the snap and I wonder why some people elect to use the Fit badge. It just invokes images of health juices. The Swift has got a nice alliterative ring to it when combined with the maker’s name but Suzuki just isn’t conventionally cool locally. ‘Yaris’ shares three letters and rhymes with the Tagalog word for loose bowels. I rather have Toyota retain the Echo name.

At least the Fiesta gives a bit of credence to what it is as a drive. It’s fun car. It’s got the zip to give you some speed rush plying metro roads. Compared to the Jazz, I had a bit more thrill with the Fiesta. I think it’s something to do with the handling. The handling’s quite agile for those bendy roads outside the metro and responsive and it’s small enough to weave through city traffic. Yes, it’s quite the treat.

As for the price, that’s where things get a bit mucky. Buying something anything less than the range-topper just eats at you and it does seem weird to rationalize why the heck would you pay an additional Php 10,000 for the 5-door hatch when essentially, you’re getting less car physically.

But if you plan to spend 800 grand for a car, the Fiesta will be part of the front-runner choice. If you want a practical car for that price, get a Vios or a City or even a Sentra. But if you plan to have fun with that kind of money, then my money’s on the Fiesta S.

Ford Fiesta Philippines Price List

5Dr 1.6L Sport 6PS PhP 826,000
5Dr 1.6L Trend 6PS PhP 776,000
4Dr 1.6L Trend 6PS PhP 766,000
5Dr 1.4L Trend MT PhP 695,000
4Dr 1.4L Trend MT PhP 685,000
4Dr 1.4L Style MT PhP 670,000