Ford Fiesta ST (2018 – 2023) Review

Hot hatches are rarely better than when they come in perky, compact packages such as the Ford Fiesta ST. Relatively small size and low weight means you don’t need huge power to enjoy strong performance and great handling, and this ST is a prime example of this way of thinking. Its zippy three-cylinder engine has more than enough get up and go, while the handling is agile yet also delivers decent comfort. After all, a hot hatch has to work as a regular car most of the time, as well as a rapid back road entertainer.

The Ford Fiesta ST has had the more attainable hot hatch market sewn up in recent years. The last generation model is sure to go down in history as one of the best fast Fords ever sold, putting a huge amount of pressure on the firm not to get things very wrong with its successor.

There was an era when the hot hatch was a rite of passage for young drivers. As soon as they could afford the insurance, they’d chop in their old bangers for something that looked like a sensible hatchback but featured a large, naturally-aspirated engine under the bonnet.

But when you think of hot hatches these days, cars like the turbocharged Honda Civic Type R and Ford Focus RS probably spring to mind. These are now extremely powerful with more than 300PS. But they’re also pricey, costing more than £30,000 and feel like the next level over traditional, easy-to-fling-about hot hatches. 

But this Fiesta ST actually uses a smaller engine. Powered by a downsized, three-cylinder turbo unit - a 1.5-litre petrol producing 200PS to be precise - enthusiasts were a tad concerned when it was first announced. Surely a diddy little three-cylinder engine couldn’t provide the same amount of fun as the previous four-cylinder engine?

Well, as you lift off the accelerator in sport mode (selectable drive modes are available on the Fiesta ST for the first time) and the exhaust pops on overrun, any doubt about the Fiesta’s fun factor are soon put to one side. But it’s not just this party piece that makes the latest Fiesta ST so desirable.

It feels genuinely quick. 200PS in a car this size is enough to reach 62mph in 6.5 seconds, while the handling is nothing short of superb. The steering - which errs marginally on the side of skittish - is quick to wind from lock to lock, providing bundles of feedback in the process. The driving position from the standard Recaro seats is good - not as high up as the previous model, fortunately - and the car begs you to drive it hard.

But those selectable drive modes mean the Fiesta ST will also happily sit on the motorway or whizz around town should you wish. It’s a versatile car, one that can comfortably be driven every day without costing the earth yet also punch well above its weight in terms of driving pleasure when the mood takes you.

Although the new model isn’t visually hugely different from its predecessor, the interior is a huge step up. Although it stops short of being as premium as a MINI, it’s easy to get comfortable and the 8.0-inch infotainment screen is easy to use.

It’s an absolute joy to drive, but also isn’t a compromise in other areas. The interior’s pretty good, and the running costs won’t ruin you.

Looking for a second opinon? Why not read heycar's Ford Fiesta ST review.

Read our First Drive Review of the new Ford Fiesta ST Edition on heycar

Feedback through the meaty steering wheel is plentiful in the Fiesta ST, while the handling is wonderfully direct and there’s probably no front-wheel-drive car better suited to British B-roads.

There’s a launch control system available as part of the £950 performance pack for the ST-2 that also includes a limited slip differential. Both the ST-3 and Performance Edition versions come with these features as standard.

The ST’s trick suspension isn’t as jarring as the old model’s, although there’s no denying it’s on the firm side, even in Normal mode. Take the Performance Edition model, though, and its suspension is lowered by 15mm at the front and 10mm at the back. Great for the looks of the car, not so good when tackling those speed bumps on the way to work.

Even the surliest of drivers will struggle not to crack a smile when behind the wheel of the Ford Fiesta ST. In Sport mode, it pops and crackles like your morning cereal, encouraging you to string out all the revs the little 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo engine has to offer.

Acceleration from 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds means overtaking is a breeze and, should you feel the need to drop a gear, the six-speed manual gearbox is precise and satisfying to use. There are no twin-clutch or automated options here, only the manual and that suits us just fine as it works in perfect harmony with the Fiesta ST’s engine and chassis.

The Ford Fiesta has scored an impressive full five-star rating in Euro NCAP tests. Every ST comes with twin front, side and curtain airbags, and Isofix mounting points on the two outer rear chairs. With the two more expensive ST versions, you also get traffic sign recognition and driver alert to tell you if it’s time to take a break to avoid possible fatigue.

There’s a lane keeping assistance system, but if you want autonomous emergency braking you need to spend £550 on the High Series Driver Assistance Pack that includes a rear-view camera and rear parking sensors, and blind spot warning.

The seats look the part and hold you in place during the most aggressive driving, while also proving surprisingly comfortable on longer journey.

Ford also offers the driver sufficient movement in its placement to attain a great driving position no matter what size you are. The steering wheel moves for height and reach as well, and the pedals are ideally lined up with the seat and wheel to complete the effect.

Buyers get a choice of three- or five-door body styles with this Ford Fiesta ST. Clearly, the five-door is the more practical for anyone who needs to carry more than one passenger on a regular basis.

There’s a reasonable amount of space in the back, although it would be a struggle fitting four tall adults in the Fiesta in comfort. Even so, the boot is a decent 292-litres.

Ford made some major strides in this department with the latest Fiesta generation. Where the previous model could feel, well, a little flimsy, this one is much more substantial and solid and enjoys the same sort of classy appeal as the current Focus.

This counts for a lot when the ST has to compete with rivals from MINI, Audi and Volkswagen. In that company, there’s no room for weakness. Some of the materials in the Ford are not quite as pleasing to the touch as those in its competitors, but there’s no doubt they are durable and well screwed together.

In the upper centre of the dash of the Ford Fiesta ST is an 8-inch infotainment display that’s hard to miss. That makes it easy to read when driving and, even better, it uses Ford’s latest SYNC 3 system with navigation and FordPass Connect internet access included as standard on all models.

The ST-3 and Performance Edition upgrade with a Bang and Olufsen stereo system complete with eight speakers and surround sound. For those less concerned with audio quality, these two upper level models also have a 4.2-inch TFT display in the main instrument binnacle that works with the standard traffic recognition software in these models.

Ford offers finance deals on the Fiesta ST to suit both private and business drivers. For those paying with their own cash, you have a choice of personal contract hire, a Ford Options Cashplan, Ford Option lease, or Ford Acquire hire purchase.

Unlike contract hire where you simply hand the car back at the end of the deal, the Options Cashplan gives you the opportunity to pay a final sum to own the car outright. Or you could just hand it back.

With the Ford Acquire finance plan, you pay an upfront deposit and then settle the balance spread across monthly payments over a period of between two and four years. At the end of the period, you own the car outright.

For those seeking a nearly new or pre-registered version of the Ford Fiesta ST, you can save around £1200 on the list price by going down this route if you don’t mind not being the very first name in the logbook.

A two-year old Ford Fiesta ST-2 with around 15,000 miles under its wheels will cost you from about £15,000 for a three- or five-door model. Upgrade that to the ST-3 and you will need another £1000 in the kitty to drive away in the higher specification model. All cars bought through Ford’s own approved used scheme come with a minimum of 12 months’ used warranty and roadside breakdown cover.

If it’s the Performance Edition that you want to park on your driveway, you will need a budget of £22,000 for a one-year old example of this orange delight.

Real MPG figures show you are likely to see 37.8mpg. Make the most of the ST’s performance and that will drop further.

With that sort of economy, you can reasonably reckon on getting more than 300 miles per full tank of fuel without the risk of running dry.

It doesn’t matter whether you choose the Ford Fiesta hot hatch in ST-2 or ST-3 trims, it sits in the same group 28 when it comes to insurance. That puts the Fiesta in one of the lower brackets for cars of this pace and price, keeping running costs affordable

If you opt for the Performance Edition model, it creeps up into group 30, so you will pay a slightly higher premium for this more focused model.

It may be a small hot hatch, but the Ford Fiesta comes with a fairly big first-year Vehicle Excise Duty bill of £540. This is due to the 158g/km carbon dioxide emissions every version puts out.

There is some compensation in the second and following years for road tax as the Fiesta ST will then pay at the standard £150 rate per annum.

The ST-2 comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, unique bumpers and grille, and twin exhaust pipes with a chrome finish. Inside, you have Recaro sports front seats, air conditioning, flat-bottomed steering wheel, and the SYNC 3 infotainment system with 8-inch colour touchscreen. You also have Normal, Sport and Track drive settings.

The ST-3 gains 18-inch alloy wheels, red-painted brake calipers, a Quaife limited slip differential, Launch Control and Performance Shift indicators. There’s leather upholstery, climate control, a 4.2-inch screen in the main instrument display, and keyless entry and ignition. You also enjoy wireless phone charging, a Bang and Olufsen stereo, rear-view camera and parking sensors, and heated front seats and steering wheel.

With the Performance Edition, you get unique Deep Orange paint, 18-inch alloys, and lowered suspension in a three-door only body. There are electric folding door mirrors with in-built puddle lights, rain-sensing wipers, rear privacy glass, and part-leather sports front seats with grey and silver detailing.