Ford Fiesta

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2014 Ford Fiesta Review: Sporty, limited subcompact

Now in its seventh generation, the Ford Fiesta subcompact debuted in 1976 and is third all-time in the carmaker’s sales behind F-Series pick-up trucks and the Ford Escort. In the 2014 edition, the Fiesta is available in two body styles: a four-door sedan and a four-door hatchback. Both are available in S, SE and Titanium trim levels. The high-performance ST model, new for 2014, is available only as a hatchback. Key Takeaways Test car: the Fiesta ST five-door hatchback, with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, 196 horsepower and a six-speed manual. $24,785 MSRP and $25,580 as tested. 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds. 26 mpg city and 34 highway under the current EPA listing. Around town: It’s nimble around town. Seating: The

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2015 Nissan Versa Note Review: Inexpensive but not cheap

It doesn’t seem like the Nissan Versa has been around for nine years. What might be the confusion (at least for me) is the Nissan Versa Note (the hatchback version). It debuted in the summer of 2013 as a 2014 model to replace the Nissan Versa hatchback. And with the 2015 Nissan Versa Note, the subcompact already has changes. It’s now also available in SR and SV trims, increasing consumers’ options to five trims. Key Takeaways $17,530 base price and $19,180 as tested for the SR trim. 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 109 horsepower and a continuously variable transmission. 31 mpg city, 39 highway and 34 combined on the EPA rating for the CVT. Convenience package: a five-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera,

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Honda Fit, Nissan Versa among top cheap cars

The Tata Nano was all the rage a few years ago when it was introduced in India as a new car for about $2,500. In the past year, the Elio, a three-wheel concept vehicle with a price of $6,800, has gotten a lot of attention as the first of several pending forward-thinking cheap cars for the masses in the United States. Since neither car is available in this country, two of the most popularity vehicles in the crowd entry level segment are the Honda Fit and the Nissan Versa Note. And a cheap new car in the United States means a starting price of about $15,000 for a base model, sometimes a little more, sometimes slightly less. That’s about half

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Best new cars for about $20,000

The average price of a new car in the United States is about $30,000. Doesn’t that still seem like a lot? What if the average car buyer can only afford around $20,000 on a new car? Are there new cars with price tags of $20,000 that are worthy purchases? In a word, yes. Family sedans to entry-level sports cars to manufacturers whose iconic cars are among the best-selling cars in history all have models available for about $20,000. And they’re, without doubt, some worthy automobiles. Here’s a list and a synopsis of two of out favorite cars among the 10 Best New Cars with price tags of about $20,000. To reiterate, that’s about two-thirds of the average cost of a

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Chevy Cruze, Ford Fiesta top U.S. fuel efficiency

Car and Driver has taken a unique look at the cars available in the United States with the best fuel economy. The publication has determined the Chevy Cruze and Ford Fiesta lead the top-10 most fuel efficient list. It’s take EPA’s list, removed the electric vehicles, hybrid and plug-in hybrids because “they generally cost more and aren’t fun to drive.” What’s left are the gas and diesel cars the editors not only like to drive but would recommend to family and friends. The No. 1 fuel-efficient car in the country, according the Car and Driver, is the Chevrolet Cruze, at 46 mpg gallon in highway driving. Here’s what the publication’s editor wrote about the Cruze: “Perched all alone at the

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2014 Ford Fiesta Review: Best car $17,500 can buy

Now in its sixth generation and two years away from its 40th birthday, the 2014 Ford Fiesta continues the subcompact car’s enduring legacy. The Fiesta is manufactured in a dozen countries and is third in sales for Ford, trailing the Escort and F-series trucks. The current generation Fiesta (Mark VI) was introduced worldwide in 2010, marking the car’s return to North America. More than 16 million Fiesta units have sold since its debut in 1976. Key Takeaways Fiesta SE tested: 1.0-liter turbocharged (EcoBoost) three-cylinder with 123 horsepower and a five-speed manual. $15,450 MSRP and $17,530 as tested. 32 mpg city and 45 highway in the review’s 2014 figures; fueleconomy.gov now lists 31 and 41. Comfort Package: $290 for heated front

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Best Family Cars for 2014: Mazda3 to Honda Odyssey

What are the best family cars? What defines family? And what are the needs of families, small and large? Edmunds.com and Parents magazine have combined for the past seven years to present their combined list. For 2014, their top-10 list, as usual, is divided into categories, family friendly subcompacts to large sport utility vehicles. Car experts from both organizations examined hundreds of vehicles and narrowed the selection to choices in each category to those vehicles with features that make daily family journeys easier. The criteria include: reliability, impressive mileage and ample cargo capacity. “Whether they’re taking a summer road trip or just making a grocery run, families expect a lot from their vehicles,” said Parents Editor-in-Chief Dana Points. “Safety is

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Scion FR-S, Ford Fiesta Coolest Cars For Under $25,000

The Scion FR-S has for the second straight year top the list of 10 Coolest New Cars Under $25,000, according to editors of Kelley Blue Book. “Many of us aren’t in the position to run out and purchase a Porsche or Lamborghini, which is why we’ve crafted a list of affordable but fun cars, like two-time winner Scion FR-S,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. “Truly a driver’s car, the FR-S features a stylish looking exterior and modern updates on the interior.” As in previous years, for 2014 KBB.com editors look for the ever-subjective “cool factor” when rounding up candidates for the annual list, building a lineup of cars that

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2014 Mitsubishi Mirage Review: Thrifty hatchback for tight budgets

Mitsubishi has come up with an affordable fuel-sipper. The 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback sedan is rated as the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid gasoline car in its class sold in the United States if equipped with its continuously variable automatic (CVT) transmission. That should be impressive enough to get the thrifty or those on tight budgets interested in this subcompact, which has been sold overseas since 2012. Key Takeaways Test car: Mirage ES with the 1.2-liter three-cylinder, 74 horsepower and a continuously variable automatic. $12,995 to $15,195 list price for the DE and ES, without a $795 destination charge. 37 mpg city and 44 highway with the CVT, as rated in 2014; EPA’s current rating is 36 and 42. Weight: about 1,865

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2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Review: Enduring Mediocrity

The 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer continues the enduring legacy of the compact sedan. It’s now 41 years old. The Lancer is rarely mentioned first and often mentioned among the least favorite options for compacts in a car segment with more than 40 options, including perennial favorites like the Honda Civic, Ford Fiesta and Mazda3. But the Lancer has endured. During its first 35 years ending in 2008, more than six million Lancers were sold worldwide by nearly a dozen different names. Key Takeaways Test car: Lancer GT, the 2.4-liter front-wheel-drive trim, with the Deluxe and Touring packages. Five trims, including the performance-oriented Ralliart and Evo. 23 mpg city and 30 highway with the 2.4-liter and the continuously variable transmission. Test distance:

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Two Mazdas, Honda Accord among Car and Driver’s 2013 Best

Two Mazda models, the perennial favorite Honda Accord and several sports cars and sedans have been selected in Car and Driver’s 32nd annual 10 Best list of 2013 cars with prices less than $80,000. Car and Driver this year recognized five all-new cars to redefining excellence for the entire industry. Half of the 10 vehicles selected have starting costs of less than $25,000. Car and Driver writes, “These are the vehicles that offer the most value, that elegantly and comprehensively fulfill their missions, and that engage their drivers in spirited conversation. They are not always the newest or the trendiest, but they are the consistent overachievers.” The 32nd Car and Driver 10Best and publication’s comments: Porsche Boxster/Cayman – “The secret

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2014 Ford Fiesta Review: Racy fun

The sporty 2014 Ford Fiesta lets you bring the kids along. The fun-to-drive, European-styled, economical Fiesta has what many want from a subcompact four-door hatchback or sedan, although its rear seat is only comfortable for children. New for 2014 is an Aston Martin-inspired grille and new hood that fronts a slick body. (Ford once owned Aston Martin.) The Fiesta comes as a four-door hatchback or four-door sedan with a variety of engines, from a fuel-stingy new three-cylinder to a hot new turbocharged four-cylinder. The new Fiesta is offered as front-drive S, SE and Titanium models. You can get a four-door hatchback or sedan, but the new front-drive ST hot rod model comes only as a four-door hatchback. The sedan is

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2013 Chevrolet Corvette: Performance Car of the Year

Throughout its 60-year history, the Chevrolet Corvette has attracted a collection of enthusiasts as loyal as any in the auto industry Often called “America’s Sports Car,” the Corvette is now in its seventh generation. It has undergone a lot of design challenges, but it’s still uniquely a Corvette and made like no other car via design, performance and ride. The Corvette has also received a lot of awards through the years, including its most recent honor as Performance Car of the Year in the Road & Track inaugural “Best Cars” List. The publication’s editors tested 13 of the industry’s best on mountain road and on the Motown mile, the publication’s private circuit. “We selected the Corvette because it represents an

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2014 Ford Fiesta Review: Sub-compact star

Now 38 years old and a half-dozen generations into its tenure, the Ford Fiesta joins its siblings, the Ford Escort and F-Series trucks, to complete the trio of the manufacturer’s top-selling vehicles. Since its debut in 1976, more than 16 million Fiestas have sold for several simple reasons. As the third best-selling car in the Ford lineup, the little car provides solid transportation, strong gas mileage and dependability, and at an economical price. Key Takeaways Test car: the four-door SE sedan with a 1.6-liter, 120 horsepower four-cylinder engine. Four trim levels, offered as a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback. 16 million Fiestas sold since the 1976 debut. Standard equipment: 15-inch steel wheels with wheel covers, power locks and mirrors,

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NEW CAR REVIEW: 2014 Fiat 500L: Utilitarian, Italian flair

The new 2014 Fiat 500L sedan is roomy and has some Italian flair, but isn’t much fun to drive. The new also sedan doesn’t have much in common with the lively but smaller two-door 500 models. For instance, the $19,100-$24,195 500L four-door hatchback sedan is 27.7 inches longer and has approximately six inches more height and width than the two-door 500. Its grille looks as if pasted on to provide a family resemblance to other 500 models. The front-wheel-drive 500L isn’t as cute as the smaller 500. It has a short nose you can’t see from the driver’s seat and a raked windshield. A large glass area allow good vision. It’s no head-turner, but has a clean Italian design. Rivals

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LA Auto Show, 2013: dozens of global debuts await

Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, MINI, Porsche, Subaru and Volkswagen have all confirmed representation among more than 50 global debuts at the 2013 LA Auto Show, the first major car of the year for automakers’ new models and concepts. Founded in 1907, the LA Auto Show is the first major North American show of the season and it will be held Nov. 22-Dec. 1. Press Days will be Nov. 20-21. The debut line-up this year promises a mix of cutting-edge trends and innovations in today’s competitive automotive market. BMW has confirmed seven to eight debuts,including a yet-to-be-named global premiere. MINI will also present a strong showingwith the long-awaited global introduction of its brand-new MINI automobile. The LA Auto Show is

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