The 1987 Ford Festiva LX: An Iconic Subcompact Worth a Second Look
There are certain cars from the 1980s that have quietly earned a loyal following decades after rolling off the production line. The 1987 Ford Festiva LX is one of them. Modest, lightweight, and surprisingly charming, the Festiva LX represented a bold shift in Ford's approach to the budget subcompact segment. Whether you're a classic car enthusiast, a nostalgic owner looking back at your first vehicle, or simply a fan of automotive history, taking a close look at the 1987 Ford Festiva LX from every angle reveals just how thoughtfully this little car was designed for its era.
In this guide, we walk through the interior and exterior design details of the 1987 Ford Festiva LX, exploring what made it stand out on dealership lots, how it has aged visually, and why it still captures the imagination of compact car collectors today.
Exterior Design: Small in Size, Bold in Character
The first thing anyone notices about the 1987 Ford Festiva LX is just how compact it truly is. Measuring just over 140 inches in total length, the Festiva was one of the smallest cars sold on the American market during its time. Yet despite its diminutive footprint, Ford and its development partner Kia managed to pack a remarkable amount of visual personality into the exterior design.
Front Fascia and Grille
The front end of the 1987 Festiva LX features a clean, minimalist face that was very much in keeping with the design trends of the late 1980s. A slim horizontal grille sits low between two rectangular headlights, giving the car a friendly and approachable expression. The hood is flat and relatively short, contributing to the car's boxy but endearing proportions. The LX trim added subtle chrome accents and a slightly more refined look compared to the base model, making it the more desirable option for buyers who wanted a touch of polish on their practical commuter car.
Side Profile and Body Lines
Viewed from the side, the Festiva LX showcases the classic hatchback silhouette that dominated the economy segment throughout the 1980s. Tall greenhouse glass, a near-vertical rear hatch, and relatively upright pillars gave the car an airy, practical feel. The roofline slopes gently toward the rear, avoiding the overly boxy appearance of some competitors while still maximizing headroom for passengers. Body lines are kept simple and clean, with minimal ornamentation — a design philosophy that has actually aged quite gracefully.
The LX variant also featured full wheel covers over its modest steel wheels, providing a more finished appearance than the stripped-back base trim. The overall color palette available in 1987 leaned into the era's preferences, with options ranging from bright reds and blues to more conservative silver and white tones.
Rear End Design
The rear of the 1987 Ford Festiva LX is perhaps its most distinctive angle. The near-vertical rear hatch, flanked by compact horizontal tail lights, gives the car a utilitarian but purposeful look. A small rear spoiler lip on the hatch adds just a hint of sportiness — a nod toward the youthful market Ford was targeting. The rear glass is generous in size, offering surprisingly good rearward visibility for a car of this class. The tailgate itself opens wide, making the modest cargo area more accessible than the car's small footprint might suggest.
Interior Design: Practical Simplicity Done Right
Step inside the 1987 Ford Festiva LX and you are immediately greeted by an interior that prioritizes function over frills. This was, after all, a vehicle designed to provide affordable, reliable transportation — and the interior design reflects that mission with honesty and clarity.
Dashboard and Instrument Cluster
The dashboard of the Festiva LX is a study in late-1980s economy car design. A single binnacle houses the speedometer and basic instrumentation, with warning lights arranged in a clear and easy-to-read layout. The LX trim added a few upgrades over the base model, including a tachometer — a small but appreciated detail for driving enthusiasts. Climate controls are arranged in a straightforward row of knobs and sliders, easy to operate without distraction. The steering wheel is a simple two-spoke design, unadorned but perfectly functional.
Seating and Cabin Space
One of the most surprising aspects of the 1987 Festiva LX is how well it uses its interior space. Despite the car's tiny external dimensions, the front seats offer adequate support and reasonable comfort for daily commuting. The rear seating area is tight by any modern standard, but workable for shorter journeys with smaller passengers. Cloth upholstery in the LX came in conservative color combinations that held up reasonably well over time, and many surviving examples still show acceptable wear on the seat fabric after all these years.
Cargo Area and Storage
With the rear seats in use, cargo space in the Festiva LX is limited but usable for grocery runs and everyday errands. Fold the rear seats flat, however, and the hatchback configuration opens up a surprisingly versatile load floor — a feature that made the Festiva genuinely practical for budget-conscious young buyers.
Why the 1987 Ford Festiva LX Still Matters Today
Looking at the 1987 Ford Festiva LX today, it is easy to appreciate what Ford and Kia achieved with very limited resources. This was not a car built to impress at auto shows or dominate performance metrics. It was built to provide honest, affordable mobility — and it delivered that mission with a quiet confidence that has earned it lasting respect among automotive enthusiasts.
Surviving examples of the Festiva LX are increasingly sought after by collectors who appreciate the purity of its design and the nostalgia it evokes. Its exterior remains a charming snapshot of late-1980s economy car styling, while its interior tells the story of an era when simplicity was not a compromise but a deliberate and sensible choice.
Whether you are browsing photos for research, considering a restoration project, or simply indulging in a moment of automotive nostalgia, the 1987 Ford Festiva LX rewards a careful look from every angle. It is a reminder that great automotive design does not always come in large, expensive packages — sometimes it arrives in the most modest form imaginable, and leaves a lasting impression all the same.