2012 Ford Fiesta S Trim Overview

Spartan to be sure, the 2012 Ford Fiesta S nonetheless boasts a heady drive for the economy-minded. This 5-passenger subcompact sedan features almost 13 cubic feet of trunk space, though seating is typically small-car cozy. Standard 15-inch steel wheels and power-adjustable mirrors adorn an attractive exterior, with cloth upholstery, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, trip computer, power-windows, front floor mats and air conditioning delivered inside. Meanwhile, a 40-watt AM/FM stereo with 4 speakers and auxiliary audio input capability is all the base S trim offers in the way of standard entertainment. Don’t despair, however. Ford’s popular Tattoo Graphics package with some funky exterior graphics is available to the Fiesta S, as is a Convenience Package with remote keyless entry and an MP3-capable single-CD player. Additionally, the base S trim can be delivered with a Sport Appearance package, featuring a rear deck-lid spoiler, cruise control, LED-supplemented parking lights and 15-inch painted aluminum wheels, and the Winter package boasts heated front seats and outside mirrors.

As with the entire lineup, the front-wheel-drive-only (FWD) 2012 Fiesta S boasts a standard 120-hp, variable-valve-timed 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder engine (I4) mated with the standard 5-speed manual transmission. This combo puts out 112 lb-ft of torque at an estimated 29 mpg city/37 highway, with an available 6-speed, dual-clutch auto-manual transmission jacking mileage up to a hybrid-like 30/40.

With an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award for its 2011 counterpart, the mirror-image 2012 Fiesta S sports seven separate airbags, including front and rear head airbags, front side-mounted airbags and a driver’s knee airbag. Four-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), as well as traction and electronic stability control, not to mention a post-collision safety system all come standard too, as does Ford’s touted 911 Assist automated emergency alert feature.