The 2014 Ford Fiesta is a kick to drive. There’s not jaw-dropping power with the 1.6-liter 4- cylinder. But the test driven four-door sedan with 6-speed automatic transmission was definitely a notable performer. For a small car, the Fiesta pops with nimble handling and plenty of spirit to make stop and go commutes anything but a drag. The 1.6-liter engine grabs 120 horsepower at 6350 rpm and 112 pounds-feet of torque at 5000 rpm. Fiesta’s suspension (independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar in the front and twist beam with coil springs in the rear) and its relatively low curb weight (2,628 pounds with automatic transmission) are key reasons for the car’s sporty flavor.

Fiesta is also available with a turbocharged 1.0-liter 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine. The Fiesta ST (new for 2014) uses a high-output version of the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder, releasing an estimated 197 horsepower and 202 pounds-feet of torque. The 98-inch wheelbase Fiesta has a 34.4 foot curb-to- curb turning circle. Even though the sedan isn’t overly generous on cargo space, the 12.8 cubic foot capacity is decent for a small car. Fiesta’s standard safety list includes driver knee airbag, side impact airbags, and side curtain airbags. The Fiesta SE sedan with 1.6-liter 4-cylinder and automatic transmission collects estimated mpg of 29 city and 39 highway. The base MSRP of Fiesta SE sedan is $15,450.