2003 Ford Fiesta Zetec review from UK and Ireland

Broken seat catch.

Lower dash trim fell off.

The Duratec 1400 engine is not a patch on the previous Fiesta's 1400 Zetec. No torque below 3500rpm means that it has to be thrashed to keep up with traffic. Excellent motorway car provided you keep the speed up, but economy suffers at over 85mph. Sit at 60, and get 46mpg. Sit at 80, and get 30mpg.

Handling is incredible, which almost makes up for the lethargic performance. After fitting Yokohama tyres it's almost as good as a Puma. Hard ride in town though, and a LOT of road noise.

Fantastic standard stereo system, let down by infuriating system which increases/decreases volume with speed. Way too sensitive, you're forever adjusting the volume!

Interior looks more spacious than it actually is, the seats are too hard, too short in the base and lack any form of leg support.

The steering wheel is adjustable for rake, but obscures instruments if you have it low enough to avoid the 'bus driver' driving position you used to have to adopt when driving proper Minis.

All the above (plus the hard ride already mentioned) make it very uncomfortable for long journeys.