The Fiesta has yet to be crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Seven airbags, including a driver's knee airbag, are standard; so are antilock brakes and an electronic stability system. Click here for a full list. The stability system is notable: It's standard on about half the cars in this class, though that could well improve come the 2011 model-year changeover this fall. Stability control will be required industrywide for 2012.

The Fiesta S sedan starts at $13,320 — hardly the $10,000 bargain bin the Versa and Hyundai Accent offer, but the Fiesta comes with standard air conditioning, power mirrors and locks and an AM/FM stereo with an auxiliary MP3 jack. Ford expects most buyers to get the Fiesta SE, which runs $14,320; it adds power windows, painted dashboard trim, a trip computer, a CD player and remote keyless entry. Add $800 if you want an SE hatchback, which isn't available in S trim.

The SEL sedan ($16,320) or SES hatchback ($17,120) top things off. Both add Ford's Sync system and a USB/iPod input, alloy wheels, cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. Leather upholstery, heated front seats and a moonroof are among the options; the SFE package comes only on the Fiesta SE. On all trims the automatic adds $1,070 — a steep but justifiable price, given its technical proficiency. Many higher-level features are optional on lower trims, but it would be nice to see power windows as an à la carte option on the Fiesta S; the sight of crankers alone will likely send a lot of shoppers up to the $1,000-pricier Fiesta SE.

Load a Fiesta up with factory options, and it tops out around $20,000.