fiesta movement

Small Splurge: The Unexpectedly High Class 2011 Ford Fiesta

Gas prices, global warming, and the economy are making smaller, ecologically sound vehicles more appealing, but traditionally downgrading in size has meant a downgrade in quality and features also. Is bigger always better? Ford says not necessarily. Next summer the Ford Fiesta, gone from the American market since 1980, is making a comeback and it's coming with a serious upgrade in style, performance, and high class details.

Now of course the Ford Fiesta is not a luxury car. It's not meant to be a luxury car. Its price-point is going to start somewhere under $15,000. But it seems worth sharing here anyway, especially as a 'small splurge,' since Ford has made a point of designing this car to appeal to those with more luxurious taste. The idea is that having a comfortable car full of useful features, solid workmanship, and cutting-edge technology doesn't necessarily have to be expensive, enormous, and gas-guzzling.

Now in the interest of full disclosure I am part of the Fiesta Movement, which might lead you to think I'm biased but really just means I know what I'm talking about because I've been driving one of these cars around as part of my life for the last 4 months. See the gallery below for photos and features (or see photos on Flickr) and then find out when and where you can test drive one and decide for yourself what you think at fiestamovement.com.

Gallery: The 2011 Ford Fiesta