Spy Photos: 2011 Ford Fiesta Sedan

Its been my understanding for a while now that there were plans for both the hatch and the sedan. Hopefully Ford looks at the success of the Fit and brings the hatchback. My wife wants one but she needs a hatch.

It always surprises me how a car can look so cool as a hatchback and then so bland as a sedan.

I love the Fiesta hatch, but wow that thing's hideous.

I don't buy the myth that Americans don't like hatchbacks, or even that a sedan would outsell the hatch. Maybe a decade ago...but SUVs have gotten everyone used to the idea of a hatch vs a trunk, and the two of the most iconic, well-regarded subcompacts on the market - the Fit and the Mini - aren't even available in trunkified form.

First off, don't judge a car's looks when the camo isn't even off yet. All your really saying is that you have a preconceived notion that the car will be ugly.

Second, I'm getting REALLY sick of euro snob "car enthusiasts" trying to get America to drive the same cars as Europeans. Stop celebrating hatchbacks and diesels at the expense of sedans and hybrids, and instead acknowledge that they all have advantages and disadvantages. Enough with the hatchback is "the more compelling car". If the sedan sells better, there is probably a reason, and maybe US journalists should better reflect the opinions of US buyers.

There, glad to get that off my chest.

I'm not a "euro snob "car enthusiasts", I'm a Canadian snob "car enthusiasts".

Hatchbacks do better then sedans here mostly because they are so practical. We've never really had the negative stigma of the "economy car" the way Americans do.

Diesels sell well here for the same reason. People don't see them in a negative light so they just make the best choice for their needs.

Same with minivans.

I'm an "I like anything good regardless of country of origin" car enthusiast. Sometimes you just need a hatch. My wife currently drives an 04 Taurus. We love the thing. She raises guide dog puppies so a large open rear area for the dog and room for its crate, and a large opening for both to get through, are absolutely essential. Getting the gas mileage of a midsize sedan and seating up to 8 people is nice too.

I'm not saying hatchbacks don't have their advantages: I drive a jeep grand cherokee for crying out loud. However, sedans have their advantages too: luggage is always covered, no chance of crap in the back flying forward in an accident, etc. As far as I've heard, ford is bringing the hatchback and sedan stateside. I just don't want hear all the usual drivel about how much better the hatchback is when the sedan ends up selling better.

Compact sedan? Unless the next Focus grows and becomes a midsize, this should be a subcompact.

As for me, I prefer a sedan (with locks for the rear seats if they fold down) to a hatchback because it's more difficult for a thief to get anything I may have stashed in the cargo area.

Way to keep failing there, Ford.

The Fiesta will be offered both as a Sedan and as a Hatchback in North America.

http://www.fordvehicles.com/2011fiesta/
Click "Your Fiesta" and it will show you the two body styles that will be available.

"I'm an "I like anything good regardless of country of origin" car enthusiast. Sometimes you just need a hatch. "

Agreed. I think dictating car enthusiasm based on geography is silly, but oh well.

Personally, I'd take a hatch over a sedan any day of the week. The Fiesta hatch looks great in person, even if it has an awful name. I seriously think I'd be embarrassed to say I own a "fiesta". I'd probably tell people I own a small Ford hatchback. Its the same with VW and the Rabbit - I know the name has heritage, but its awful.

Wow, that photo makes the sedan look awfully tip-toe-ey in the hind quarters. Kind of like it's in a permanent brake dive. Rakish! That said, the upswept character line exists on the flanks of many sedans nowadays (Accord, Altima, Mazda 6 and 3) and looks fine without the mask+diaper treatment.

As ag4 mentioned, Ford's web site has official photos of the hatch and sedan. Both are stand-outs in their class and don't look the least bit awkward in person. I saw a Fiesta hatch in bright green this weekend, passing by as I observed from streetside. It's an awesome looking car, particularly from rear 3/4 view. A very cohesive and distinctive design that looks much more expensive than it is.

As for the hatch vs. sedan dilemma.. I prefer hatchbacks, especially in this size class where you need to maximize cargo capacity on a small footprint. Bicycles, small furniture items and other bulky stuff simply won't fit in the trunk of a small sedan, even with the seats folded. And for those that buy small cars /because/ they're small (and not because they're cheap) the hatch is the only way to go. The hatch is usually shorter than the sedan equivalent (Jetta vs. Golf comes to mind) and fits in smaller parking spaces on the crowded streets of dense cities. They're also easier to parallel park since you know from the rear glass exactly where the back of the car is. Hence, Mini, Fit and Audi A3 are quite popular where I'm from.

I can understand getting the Fiesta sedan if you already have a cargo vehicle (truck, SUV, minivan), prefer the shape and insist on buying new in this price class. Security of a trunk is questionable. The only car I've ever had broken into was my old Celica coupe, and they went directly for the trunk. I've had hatchbacks ever since without issue.

Looks like the intensely ugly Toyota Echo or Yaris in that picture. Hatch looks far better.

"permanent brake dive"
Well said caroftheweek, thats almost exactly what I thought when I saw it. The design... they already somewhat failed, the small ugly wheels should be changed if it were going into production and black door handles really do make the car look cheap. In the grill area, it seems like the "razor" grill seen on many fords is hiding there and seems like little kids wont be able to see out the window since it's so high compared to the front.

Only would care about the hatch in a hot GT or RS version. Bring it on!!!

All subcompact sedans look awkward - just look at the three-box Versa and Yaris. But the US and Chinese markets demand trunks.

Thankfully, Ford has explicitly said multiple times that THE US WILL GET THE HATCH AS WELL.