2011 Ford Fiesta Buying Advice

B-Class competition is heating up fast. Suzuki now offers sedan and hatchback versions of its little SX4; Toyota’s Scion brand has replaced its small xA hatchback with the more-refined xD; and 2009 brings a new, slightly larger Honda Fit with fresh styling, better performance and more interior space. The Toyota Yaris will also be tweaked before its expected redesign for model-year 2012. And Korean brands Hyundai and Kia won’t be idle. With all this, the 2011 Ford Fiesta will have a lot to contend with, but it should be up to it, assuming the well-received Mazda 2 is any guide.

2011 Ford Fiesta Release Date: Ford isn’t talking, as we said, but most sources expect an on-sale date in the first half of calendar 2010.

2011 Ford Fiesta First Test Drive: Assuming the above timetable holds, media previews could be scheduled for fall 2009.

2011 Ford Fiesta Prices: They’re obviously a long way from being decided, but the 2011 Ford Fiesta could well displace the bottom-end versions of the compact Focus. We’d look for prices to start at around $12,000 and range up to $16,000 loaded. Currency exchange rates between now and intro time could loom large for Ford in determining the final numbers.