When it comes to hatchbacks, the legendary Ford Fiesta is often the life and soul of the party. Sure, it might not have the rear of a Kardashian, but the question on everyone's lips is: does it have the practicality to back up its perky persona? Well, dear car enthusiasts, let’s dive into the boot space of the current model, reminisce about the capaciousness of Fiestas past, compare the boot within the Ford family tree, and see how it stacks up against its rivals. Buckle up; it’s going to be an informative ride - Clarkson style.
Consider the timeline of the Fiesta. It's as though it started life as a suitcase and gradually blossomed into, well, a slightly larger carry-on. The very first Fiesta I (1976-1981) danced onto the scene with a 300l boot. But just like fashion from the ‘80s, it wasn’t all mullets and disco - the boot space shrunk to 238l after the facelift. And then came a boot space slump with the second generation Fiesta (1983-1989) tightening its belt to a modest 215l. Fast-forward to the present day, the Fiesta VIII (2017-present), which touts a respectable 292l – not exactly Tardis-like, but hey, it’s bigger on the inside compared to some of its ancestors.
Now, let's play a little game called ‘spot the Fiesta’ in Ford’s grand line-up. Sure, it’s not the limousine of load-luggers like the Ford Galaxy with its cavernous 200l boot, nor can it grapple with the Ford Kuga's 435l offering. It decisively beats the tiny boot of the Ford GT, which would struggle to fit anything more substantial than a couple of toothbrushes at 11l. The Fiesta sits comfortably as the quirky middle child, larger than the EcoSport with 321l and smaller than the Focus beasts and their impressive 392l luggage taming capacities.
Oh, the competition. It’s a ruthless scramble for every litre. Our beloved Fiesta’s 292l boot is not to be sneezed at, especially when you glance at the minuscule 32l boot of the Toyota iQ – which, honestly, sounds more appetizing as a pint of beer than a practical space for your gear. The Fiesta even outshines the classy Volvo C30, which offers a reasonable but lesser 278l of cargo hold. However, it must grudgingly tip the hat to the Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse with their whopping 390l. Then there’s the Lancia Gamma from yesteryear with a capacious 500l, enough to backpack through Europe with your kitchen sink in tow. But let's not forget, it's not just about size – the Fiesta's charm, driving dynamics, and that ever-so-sporty stance count for a lot. Plus, let's not be shy about it, a Fiesta is more fun than a chess club gathering at a monastery.