Introduction
What Car? says...
The glorious Ford Fiesta ST can go toe-to-toe with all the big names in the hot-hatch hall of fame – and that's pretty much the highest compliment you can pay a car.
It means it can hold its head up high among the GTi version of the Peugeot 205 (which we named best car in the history of What Car?) and deserves a mention in the same breath as the celebrated Mk1 VW Golf GTI, one of our Past Masters.
The previous-generation Fiesta ST (2013-2017) represented Ford's Performance division at its very best, and its keen price, fantastic turbocharged petrol engine and truly engaging handling helped it win no fewer than four best hot hatch titles at our Car of the Year Awards.
So there was huge anticipation ahead of this current sporty version of the fine-handling standard Ford Fiesta, and thankfully it lives up to expectations. It is missing something, though... a fourth cylinder.
The Fiesta ST now has a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine featuring cylinder deactivation technology, which allows it to run on two cylinders at a cruise to save fuel. Fear not: with all three cylinders firing, the engine kicks out a punchy 197bhp so there's no compromise on performance when you need it.
There's the option of a limited-slip differential (LSD) to catapult this front-wheel-drive car 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.
Read on through this review for our full rundown on how it drives, what it's like inside and how much it'll cost you to buy run. Plus, we’ll tell you how it stacks up against hot hatch rivals, including the Suzuki Swift Sport and the VW Polo GTI.
If you do decide to buy a new car, don't forget that the free What Car? New Car Buying service can help take the effort out of the process – and potentially save you thousands of pounds – with great prices on vehicles of nearly all makes and models, including some very tempting Fiesta ST deals.
At a glance
| Number of trims | 1 see more |
|---|---|
| Number of engines | 1 see more |
| Available fuel types Which fuel is best for you? | petrol |
| MPG range across all versions | 44.1 - 44.1 |
| Avaliable doors options | 3 |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60000 miles |
| Company car tax at 20% (min/max) | £919 / £1,769 |
| Company car tax at 40% (min/max) | £1,838 / £3,538 |
How much is it?
| RRP price range | £21,955 - £23,305 |
|---|---|
What Car? Target Price range | £21,035 - £22,327 |
What Car? PCP range | £232 - £255 |
| Save up to £978 when you buy with What Car? | |
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