New Ford Fiesta ST vs new Volkswagen Polo GTI
Is the Ford Fiesta ST still the affordable hot hatch to beat? This new one is here to prove that it is – but first it has to see off Volkswagen’s latest Polo GTI...
Buying and owning
Costs, equipment, reliability, safety and security
For private buyers, the total three-year cost of running these two cars is very similar; the Fiesta will set you back just £566 more than the Polo, mainly due to the latter’s better resale values. They’re virtually identical on company car tax over the same period, too.
The biggest disparities concern leasing costs, which are £76 per month less for the Polo, and PCP finance, where the Fiesta is cheaper, by £40 per month.
In these range-topping trims, both cars come well equipped. The Fiesta features a heated steering wheel and front seats, which the Polo counters with LED headlights and adaptive cruise control, while both come with keyless entry.
In terms of safety, both have five-star ratings from Euro NCAP, but the Polo scores better for adult, child and pedestrian protection. The Fiesta ST isn’t available with automatic emergency braking (which is standard on the Polo), although it’s alone in having lane-keeping assistance as standard.
Best used small cars for less than £10,000
Small doesn’t have to mean stingy, and cheap really can be cheerful, as these fantastic used small cars prove
