Ford Fiesta ST review

There’s a lot of big names in the hot hatch hall of fame, but the glorious Ford Fiesta ST can go toe-to-toe with the lot.

To get a proper idea of just how significant this car really is, let us first consider some of the finest names in the hot hatch hall of fame. The fabled Peugeot 205 GTi has to be in there, for starters, and so too does the much celebrated Mk1 Volkswagen Golf GTI. But the list wouldn't be complete without the glorious Fiesta ST.

Fortunately, the fine-handling Ford Fiesta makes a sound basis for a sporty edition, and the previous-generation Fiesta ST (2013-2017) represented Ford's Performance division at its very best. A keen price, a fantastic turbocharged petrol engine and truly engaging handling meant it won no fewer than four Hot Hatch of the Year titles on the trot at the coveted What Car? Awards. The anticipation for its replacement, then, was huge.

So it seems strange to say that this current ST has lost already... a cylinder, that is. Yep, the Fiesta ST now has a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that features cylinder deactivation technology, allowing it to run on just two cylinders at a cruise to save fuel. But fear not: with all three cylinders firing, the engine kicks out a punchy 197bhp, keeping performance very much the order of the day.

Elsewhere, there's the option of a limited-slip differential to catapult the front-wheel-drive Fiesta ST out of corners, a body stiffened to aid agility and overhauled suspension to ensure it handles more keenly. Ford has even given it bespoke Michelin tyres for better grip and a launch control mode for perfect traffic light sprints, and there’s an ST Edition version that  comes with adjustable suspension and lighter alloy wheels. 

Read on for our full rundown on how it drives, what it's like inside and how much it'll cost to run. Plus, we’ll tell you how it stacks up against rivals such as the Suzuki Swift Sport and Volkswagen Polo GTI.

And if you decide to buy a new hot hatch, don't forget that our New Car Buying service is at hand to take the effort out of the process, with great deals on thousands of great cars, including the Fiesta ST.