In the Maxim Garage: 2011 Ford Fiesta SE

There's a reason Ford didn't call their new small car the "Bummer." OK, there are probably several. But the one that makes the most sense: the 2011 Fiesta is actually a blast to drive. After beating on the manual-equipped five-speed hatchback like a piñata for three days, I can say that.

Unlike most of the rides that come through the Maxim Garage, the Fiesta's kicks don't come from raw power. Its feisty 1.6-liter inline-4 engine puts out 120hp: enough to collect a stack of school-zone speeding tickets, sure; not always enough to pull off harrowing high-speed passes on a two-lane highway (tried it).

It’s the handling. Without being rattle-your-teeth jarring, the thing’s stiffer than Ben Stein at a Juggalo gathering. The Fiesta’s steering feels almost predictive. Squirting through city traffic even becomes fun. It’s flat in the corners. And unlike its main competitor, the nearly-great Honda Fit, at highway speeds, the Fiesta doesn’t blow all over the road or suffer from ragged wind noise.

Even if its sculpted-space-egg styling doesn’t draw you in, you’ll immediately dig the available voice-operated SYNC infotainment system, the 40+mpg highway fuel mileage, and a surprising amount of usable space. We even packed three grown women in the backseat on a three-hour drive (hey, it's Maxim!), and heard no complaints.

Overall, the Fiesta’s a soulful little econobox, and lives up to its high expectations (it’s been available since 2008 in Europe, where it’s the best selling car). Now Ford: when will you put Ken Block’s 800hp rally version into production? We’re holding out for that.

THE GOOD: Driving dynamics to make even milk runs fun.
THE BAD: A cockpit with more plasticky parts than Heidi Montag.
BOTTOM LINE: It's a party in the U.S.A.!