With its sultry looks and class-leading dynamics Ford’s fantastic new Fiesta 1.6 Trend really makes a whole lot of buying sense, writes The Wheel Deal.

Downscaling in a recession is a depressing exercise. Lunch hours become marred by insipid homemade sandwiches; movies are substituted with Stallone reruns on e.tv, and your favourite imported Pilsner is replaced by some cheap substitute marketed to men who wear vests and overalls. Cars are a source of budgetary-induced misery too, as lofty fuel prices and interest rates mean that many people will be thinking of trading in their swanky German saloons on something more overdraft-friendly. Now normally this exercise would result in a bout of binge drinking and a tearful lament but, thanks to the new Ford Fiesta, that’s a thing of the past.

You see, sculpted by the firm’s famed kinetic design philosophy, this sporty hatchback proves that small, affordable motors can indeed be sexy – even somewhat aspirational. Get behind the Fiesta’s wheel and, whether you’re trawling through a mall parking lot or posing outside some swish vodka bar, you’ll notice that the plucky Ford always manages to attract attention thanks to its bold trapezoidal grille, foxy headlights and creased shoulders. Things are just as tasty in the inside too; with a spunky cabin that’s well made and packed full of gizmos. Blue-tooth connectivity, air-con and a comprehensive on-board computer all come standard in Trend spec, as does an auxiliary audio port that actually works – unlike in my old Fiesta. The driving position has also been given a proper work over, which means that us six-footers can finally escape that dreadful top-heavy feeling that plagued us whilst driving in the last model. But good looks and techno prowess aside, the thing that impressed me most about Ford’s new baby was its sterling handling characteristics.

Endowed with a lithe and nimble chassis taken form the Mazda 2, the Fiesta encourages enthusiastic driving and really puts the fun back into everyday commuting. Plant it through the corners and you’ll always feel part of the machine thanks to its excellent feedback and overall responsiveness. And while the electronically assisted power steering is overly light, it still offers a satisfying amount of feedback complemented with one of the crispest turn-ins in the small hatch business. I’ll agree that straight-line performance from the 1.6 isn’t exactly eye watering up at this altitude but its power delivery is creamy smooth right on through the rev-range. It’s a lot more frugal than the outgoing engine too thanks to the introduction of Independent Variable Cam Timing – clever engineering that optimises both performance and economy.

All in all I was suitably impressed with our Ford Fiesta 1.6 Trend and couldn’t find any deal-breaking faults with its design, ergonomics or road manners. In fact, whether you’re a first time buyer or desperately looking downsize for the purposes of both cents and sanity, you won’t find better small-car bang for your increasingly harder-to-earn buck.

Ford Fiesta 1.6 Trend Fast Facts:

Engine: 1596cc, four-cylinder petrol
Power: 88kW @ 6 000rpm
Torque: 149Nm @ 4 250rpm
0-100km/h: 9.9 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 193km/h (claimed)
Fuel Consumption: 5.9l/100km (claimed combined)
Price: R167 471
Warranty: 4-year/120 000 km