Ford Fiesta ST long-term test: report 5

The car Ford Fiesta ST-3 (5-Door) 1.5T Ecoboost Start/Stop 6-Speed Manual Run by Louis Shaw, social media manager

Why it’s here To find out if the latest Ford Fiesta ST can be the ultimate everyday driver’s car

Needs to be Fun to drive and yet usable for normal life, plus economical both on long journeys and around town

Mileage 1225 List price £25,300 Target Price £25,116 Price as tested £27,200 Options fitted Silver Fox metallic paint (£750) Full LED headlamps (£600) Driver Assistance Pack (£550) Official economy 40.1mpg (WLTP) Test economy 40.6mpg

05 December 2020 –  The longest ride

Think hot hatch and you probably think performance and everyday usability, right? Me too. But for those unacquainted with the reality of thirsty hot hatch ownership, it’s not all smiles when you're at the pumps.

Granted I was bitten by my last ownership experience, driving a Mk2 Mini John Cooper Works (not a car known for its economical engine) but even in subsequent experiences with newer hot hatches, such as the current Honda Civic Type R (a strong 30mpg in the real world) I realised that if you’re looking for economy, you should probably steer clear of anything with the word ‘hot’ in its classification.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by my Fiesta ST, however. Even on extended motorway cruises, I never expected to see the numbers 40-42 anywhere near the letters ‘mpg’ and yet it has become the norm. What I find even more surprising is that I not only regularly achieve more than 40mpg on the motorway, but off them too, finding that as long as you balance gentle with spirited driving, the 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine seems to neatly straddle the line between fast and frugal.

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