Is the new Ford Fiesta good for new drivers?

By Ané Theron

Freshly-licensed drivers should, first and foremost, consider a car that is safe, and not just affordable or nice to look at. We take a look a the Ford Figo to see if it fulfils a new or young road user's needs.

Has the Ford Figo got what it takes?

The latest Figo is rather easy on the eyes, so first-time buyers should already be intrigued by the whole style package. And on the inside, the upgraded cabin feels and looks more upmarket too. Martin Pretorius, who attended the local launch last year, writes: 

"The MyFord Dock, mounted in the middle of the dashboard, will be of particular interest to the younger buyers at which Ford is aiming the Figo. This handy gadget allows for neat storage, mounting and charging of mobile phones, MP3 players and navigation apps." 

It fits your phone perfectly in a landscape position, essentially giving you small-scale Apple CarPlay or Android Auto! This is standard in the Trend variants, but not in the entry-level 1.5 Ambiente MT Hatch.

The Ford Audio system, a standard feature in all models, offers Bluetooth and a USB port, and has four speakers. Unfortunately there are no satellite controls on the steering wheel, which is an especially nice feature if you're a new driver, but it's not a deal breaker. 

How much power does the Figo have?

Performance wise, you're in for a treat, because Ford's 3-cylinder engine displaces 1498 ccm ( so it's a 1.5-litre), and is one of the liveliest motors in the segment, without being heavy on fuel. Output figures are at 85kW and 150Nm; plenty for a car this size.

So, now that we've taken a look at styling and performance, what about the most important feature for new drivers? 

Safety

The entry-level Figo Hatch 1.5 Ambiente (R182 900) makes the grade for a safe first car, but only just: It has ABS brakes and two airbags but no EBD or brake assist. In a perfect world, all new drivers should really have access to traction/stability control as well, which helps you stay in control of your car.

Other safety features include rear fog lamps, a high-level brake lamp, and follow-me-home headlamps.

Competition?

The Polo Vivo and Renault Sandero are similar in price and very good first-time buys, and both have traction control. But if you want something affordable and new with the same safety spec as the Figo, consider the new  Datsun GO, now with 2 airbags as well as ABS brakes.

The new GO is priced from R144 000. As for the Renault Kwid, still no ABS brakes, sadly.  Medical bills can easily become more expensive than what a new Kwid retails for, so rather just save for longer and buy a used Sandero instead!

Recommended reading

• Also read Small Car Safety Shootout: VW Up! vs. Renault Sandero vs. Toyota Aygo here.

• For a more comprehensive article on the Safest Small Cars for New Drivers, click here.