When the current generation Ford Fiesta hatchback was showcased at the Johannesburg International Auto Show in 2008, it was the talk of the town. After it was launched, it proved fun to drive and, with its great styling, lived up to the reputation of its hugely popular predecessor. While the Fiesta took off, its predecessor refused to drift quietly into obscurity and was ‘reincarnated’ as the Figo.

So what’s next for the Fiesta?

Well, I’ve been hoping for a few years now to see an ST derivative and it looks like in 2012 I’ll get my wish. But before then, Ford is setting its sights on a more mature market, with its new Fiesta Sedan.

Design-wise it looks like an afterthought from Ford; a sporty, deceivingly small Fiesta up front, large bulky Mazda-inspired sedan at the rear. From the front you’d be convinced you’re looking at a small hatchback but at the rear it’s decidedly middle-aged.

It’s not an ugly car by any means but style-wise I don’t think it translates well into a sedan. It’s like the Fiesta hatchback’s much older brother, the one relegated to family tedium while still trying to prove it can keep up.

Whatever my time and experience behind the wheel, I noticed the Fiesta sedan was a bit of a head-turner with fellow drivers even giving me the “thumbs-up” for my vehicle choice.

DRIVING IT

Driving the Fiesta sedan is much like its hatchback sibling… if the hatchback was middle-aged and had let itself go a little. The Sedan is available in two variants with different spec levels and engine choices. I was behind the wheel of the Fiesta Sedan Trend automatic.

Its 1.6-litre engine is capable of 88kW at 6000rpm and a maximum torque of 152Nm at 4300rpm.  It’s not sluggish but a lot more sedate than I expected.

Then there’s the gearbox…

The five-speed auto is temperamental; either it’s revving too high and staying in a particular gear for far too long or it’s struggling to find the gear it needs. It made me feel like I was a lead-footed learner, over- revving my car and wasting fuel while fumbling for the right gear. I found that if you anticipate the shift and remove your foot from the accelerator when it’s “supposed” to change, you can get by.

Even driving from lights to lights you’ll end up sounding like you’re a boy racer trying to show off. On inclines in traffic the ‘low range’ option is a must as you’ll be reduced to a bunny-hopping learner trying not to rear-end the car ahead.

What happened to the Fiesta?

Determined to bring out the fond experiences I had with the hatchback, which I knew lurked somewhere in this middle-aged driver's dream, I pushed the car a little harder to extract some of its fun elements. The ride became fun. Bends were handled with massive feedback to the driver, translating into a engaging driving experience. It’s almost as if doing the mundane (driving in a city) brings out the worst in this car, while pushing it makes it rebel against its middle-aged positioning.

Getting back to the gearbox… some colleagues agreed that it could be lived with, as in it may be a minor headache but it didn’t put them off. The problem I have is that this so called minor headache costs just over R200k, not something I’d like to live with considering that figure.

INSIDE

The Fiesta cabin is largely unchanged. Its sports the same instrument layout as the hatchback, with pleasing back-lit dials and flashy chromed finishes. There’s a surprising amount of head and leg room and you really get the sense of driving in comfort. The boot space is adequate and the Fiesta sedan can easily suit any urban lifestyle.

OVERALL

Even with a stodgy gearbox, the Fiesta sedan is at best lovable and at its worst livable. At its current pricing and spec level it faces some stiff competition from the likes of Toyota's Yaris and Mazda 2 sedan.

If you’re a boy racer at heart but have come to terms with growing up, the Fiesta sedan is a good choice: It remains a Fiesta at heart…even if the gearbox needs some TLC.

PRICING
Ford Fiesta sedan auto 1.6 -  R 204 990