Zetec S 1.0T EcoBoost 125 Start/Stop 3dr Hatchback

Excellent Warm Hatch - Fine Drivers Car Especially So In This 'S' Guise - All Most Impressive Indeed

Good: Easy to drive, quiet, refined, compliant and comfortable beyond it's class/size even on this 'S' version with lowered/slightly stiffer suspension. Excellent sports seats with drivers 'lumbar. Good power/torque for safe overtaking with over-boost. Rather impressed having come from raucous, torque-y change-gear-every-1.9 seconds sports diesels which apart from the odd 'ideal' situation have now for me all but had their day. A thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding drivers car over my often undulating local North Yorkshire A and B roads. Lovely free-revving engine; the best since my Hillman Imp! and with a pleasant 6-cylinder-like burble too. Wishing it was a bit louder! Nice gearbox. Start/stop despite my reservations works an absolute treat. Returns a most respectable c.46mpg. Definitely not as frugal as Ford claims however you do not buy this 125PS 'S' version for any such secondary considerations especially if you enjoy the open road and your mileage is below 6000 p/a. Ditto same reasoning why always fueled with Shell V-Power Nitro+. Quickclear screen is very handy. Sports styling works well being just the right side of boy racer-ish. Would replace next time with Red/Black edition for that little extra power/torque but styling far too retro Boy Racer 1980's for us more refined 'Silver Surfers'!

Not So Good: Could do with discs on rear for safer full load/brisk press-on motoring needs. Cluttered radio/dash area. Well known 'normal' difficulty when engaging reverse. Irritating nuisance value rather than a major problem. Could ideally do with a 6th gear however 5 work well enough if somewhat obviously over-geared particularly around town when it can become a bit of a pain to be honest. Conversely though its at its best on the open road with 5th being ample long enough for quiet, relaxed and effortless motorway cruising. Only had one problem to-date: In-tank fuel pump was noisy and replaced (as agreed at time of purchase) under warranty by most helpful Ford main dealership.

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