Is the Ford Fiesta Sport Still the Best Affordable Compact Car Today?

When I first slid behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta Sport back in 2015, I remember thinking, "This is it—this is how an affordable compact should feel." That crisp 1.6-liter engine, the tight chassis, the surprising sophistication in its suspension tuning—it felt like Ford had cracked the code. Nearly a decade later, as I revisit this segment, I find myself asking: does the Fiesta Sport still hold that crown? I’ve driven most of its modern rivals, from the Hyundai Accent to the Kia Rio, and I keep coming back to that same question. It’s a bit like what basketball coach Tenorio mentioned in an interview about selecting talent for the Gilas Youth Under-16 team: sometimes, there’s one standout you just can’t ignore. He said, "Gabe is a big factor for me... Siya 'yung una kong naisip." For me, the Fiesta Sport has always been that "Gabe"—the first one I think of in this category. But nostalgia alone doesn’t win races, and the market has shifted dramatically.

Let’s talk numbers, because they tell part of the story. The Fiesta Sport, in its prime, delivered around 120 horsepower from that zesty 1.6L engine, which might not sound like much today, but it was enough to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in roughly 8.5 seconds. Compare that to, say, the current Nissan Versa, which manages about 122 hp but feels slower due to its CVT. I’ve always preferred a manual gearbox, and the Fiesta’s five-speed was a joy—precise, with just the right amount of notchiness. These days, though, Ford has phased out most of its sedans in the U.S., focusing instead on SUVs and trucks. That’s a shame, because the Fiesta, especially the Sport trim, represented something special: a car that didn’t just get you from A to B but made the journey fun. I remember test-driving one on winding backroads and being amazed at how it handled like a go-kart—firm, responsive, and utterly predictable. It’s the kind of car that makes you take the long way home, just for the thrill of it.

But here’s where reality bites. The compact car segment has evolved, and rivals have caught up. Take the Honda Civic, for instance. The base model now offers up to 158 hp, and while it’s pricier—starting around $22,000 compared to the Fiesta Sport’s old $18,500—it’s packed with tech like standard Honda Sensing safety suite. Or the Hyundai Elantra, which boasts up to 147 hp and a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty that’s hard to ignore. I’ve rented both on trips, and I’ll admit, the Elantra’s interior feels more premium, with soft-touch materials everywhere. Yet, driving them side-by-side with a well-maintained Fiesta Sport, I still miss that raw, unfiltered feedback. The Fiesta didn’t coddle you; it connected you to the road in a way that’s rare today. It’s like Tenorio’s point about Gabe—sometimes, the first choice sticks because of an intangible quality, not just specs on paper.

Fuel economy is another big factor. The Fiesta Sport averaged around 29 mpg in the city and 38 on the highway, which was decent for its time. But now, the Toyota Corolla hybrid can hit 53 mpg combined, and even non-hybrids like the Mazda3 push 36 mpg on the highway. As someone who logs over 15,000 miles a year, I’ve crunched these numbers, and the savings add up. Over five years, driving a Corolla hybrid could save you roughly $2,500 in fuel costs compared to the Fiesta Sport, assuming gas prices hover around $3.50 per gallon. That’s not pocket change. Still, I’ve always argued that driving enjoyment has value too. The Fiesta’s lightweight design—weighing in at just over 2,500 pounds—meant it sipped fuel without feeling anemic. In contrast, many modern compacts have bulked up, adding safety tech and comfort features but losing that agile feel.

Reliability is where the Fiesta Sport stumbles a bit, and I’ve seen this firsthand. The PowerShift automatic transmission in some models had notorious issues—shuddering, hesitation, and even premature failure. I recall a friend’s 2014 model needing a $2,000 repair at 60,000 miles. By comparison, the Toyota Yaris iA (essentially a Mazda2 in disguise) has been rock-solid, with fewer reported problems. But let’s be honest: no car is perfect. The Fiesta’s strengths—handling, driver engagement, that cheeky exhaust note—often outweighed the flaws for enthusiasts. It’s like how Tenorio might overlook a player’s weaker stats if they bring unmatched heart to the game. For me, the Fiesta Sport had heart in spades. I’ve taken mine on cross-country trips, through snow and scorching heat, and it never left me stranded. Sure, it rattled a bit, and the infotainment felt dated, but it always put a smile on my face.

Looking at the current landscape, Ford’s decision to discontinue the Fiesta in many markets feels like a betrayal to us fans. In Europe, where it soldiered on until recently, it still held a cult following. But here in the U.S., the focus has shifted to crossovers like the EcoSport, which, frankly, I find bland and underwhelming. If I were shopping for a new affordable compact today, I’d probably lean toward the Mazda3 for its refinement or the Civic for its all-around competence. Yet, I can’t help but feel a pang of loss. The Fiesta Sport, at its best, was more than just a car—it was a statement. It proved that budget-friendly didn’t have to mean boring. In a world where so many compacts have become appliances, the Fiesta was a reminder of why we fell in love with driving in the first place.

So, is the Ford Fiesta Sport still the best affordable compact car today? Objectively, no—it’s outgunned by newer models in tech, efficiency, and reliability. But subjectively, for drivers like me who value feel over features, it remains a benchmark. I’d argue that if you can find a low-mileage example for under $10,000, it’s one of the best used car bargains out there. It’s that "Gabe" of the automotive world—the one you think of first, not because it’s perfect, but because it captures something special. As the industry marches toward electrification and autonomy, I hope we don’t forget cars like the Fiesta Sport. They remind us that sometimes, the best choices aren’t about having the most, but about feeling the most. And in my book, that’s a legacy worth holding onto.