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The 2011 Ford Fiesta ranks 1 out of 33 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 25 published reviews and test drives of the Ford Fiesta, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

Reviewers are nearly unanimous in saying that the 2011 Ford Fiesta sets new benchmarks for the affordable small car class -- even reviewers who don't go that far say Honda and Toyota should watch their backs. The Fiesta debuted in 2010, and this year, the Fiesta gets even more accolades: We named it the 2011 Best Subcompact Car for the Money.

Ask any car lover and they'll tell you: some of the world's best small cars never make it stateside. With the 2011 Ford Fiesta, that's changed. On sale in Europe since 2008, the most recent iteration of the Fiesta has finally arrived at dealerships in the U.S. AutoWeek says, "The Fiesta is as good a small car as can be found, sourced from anywhere in the world. That it comes from the Blue Oval is remarkable and heartening; its brilliance is the first ray of sunshine on what has been a seemingly midnight horizon."

The Fiesta gets high marks from almost every reviewer who has driven it because it offers things many other small cars lack: a fun driving experience and a comfortable, upscale cabin. With the Fiesta, many reviewers say Ford may radically alter what American buyers expect from small cars. The Fiesta has features rarely seen among Small/Subcompact Cars, from available heated seats to Ford's SYNC system to an airbag for the driver's knees. But what will seal the deal for many buyers is the Fiesta's hybrid-like fuel economy. Ford says it should get 30 miles per gallon in the city and 40 miles per gallon on the highway. Those numbers are close to what many hybrids offer, but the Fiesta will cost thousands less. These strong characteristics led Consumer Guide to name it a “2011 Best Buy.”

However, there's always the risk that the praise may be premature. Reviewers have been enjoying well-optioned higher trims. In the base trim, which comes with few standout features, reviewers may not be so effusive.

If you're looking for a fun-to-drive small car, the Fiesta isn't the only option, but it is one of the least expensive. The Mazda3 wins a lot of praise for its driving dynamics, but it starts at about $2,000 more than the base Fiesta -- and can’t match the Fiesta's fuel economy, which is among the best in the class.

The Mini Cooper comes close to the Fiesta's fuel economy ratings, but costs about $5,000 more than the base Fiesta. However, if you're considering a well-optioned Fiesta (higher Fiesta trims start only about $1,000 below the Mini's base price), the Mini's BMW-sourced driving dynamics may make it worth looking at.

If practicality is your main concern, you should check out the Honda Fit. While reviewers flat-out say it isn't as much fun as the Fiesta, it starts at less than $1,000 more than the Fiesta and has lots more cargo room than the Fiesta hatchback. It also only trails the Fiesta's estimated fuel economy by five miles per gallon on the highway and two miles per gallon in the city.