This fast and fun Fiesta has all the right ingredients to make the perfect hot hatchback.
The ST certainly looks the part, with sporty front bumper, rear spoiler and diffuser with twin exhaust, deep side skirts and 17-inch alloys as standard.
Inside, the ambient lighting provides cool colour options for the interior, making it look even more spectacular at night.
The Ford Fiesta ST offers three distinct drive modes: normal, sport and track. Each differs in throttle position and steering response, making for a completely customisable experience.
There are lots of helpful driver assistance features such as traffic sign recognition, hill start assist and a blind spot information system that detects when other vehicles are near the car.
Need assistance when navigating multiple-lane roads? The Fiesta ST’s Lane-Keeping System technology uses warning signs and steering wheel vibrations to alert you if you stray from your lane.
You can stay connected on the road with the Ford SYNC 3 system, which links up to your mobile via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The intuitive controls can all be accessed using the 8-inch touchscreen or voice commands.
Music lovers will be pleased to hear that there’s a 650-watt B&O PLAY audio system inside, with ten speakers and a subwoofer to ensure an amazing acoustic experience.
Look up and you’ll find a large panoramic roof that’s ideal for sunny days.
The MyKey function is great if you’re sharing the car with your family (especially younger drivers), as you can set a specific speed limit and add controls over the audio or seatbelts.
You can also choose an optional security system which comes with a perimeter alarm and double deadlocks for added peace of mind.
For more controlled braking, you’ll find an anti-lock braking system, brake force distribution and emergency brake assist.
The 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine reaches 0–62mph in just 6.5 seconds and has a very respectable top speed for 144mph.
The ST features auto start-stop to save you fuel on the road, and efficiency is further increased by a particularly ingenious feature: a cylinder that deactivates automatically when it’s not required, saving fuel when you’re cruising.
The Active Grille Shutter system automatically adjusts the grille vent; it keeps it open when the car is driving at low speed, to cool the engine, and then shuts as the speed increases, to increase aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.
‘What makes this new ST a winner is that it’s kept almost all of the chuckable, engaging approachability of its predecessor, while evolving into a more refined, comfortable, cheap to run and easy-to-use piece of kit.’
– Top Gear
‘The Fiesta ST looks like a regular Fiesta that’s put on a tracksuit and hit the gym – it’s beefier in all the right places and much more athletic.’
– CarWow
‘If you’re after a hot hatch on a circa-£20k budget, the brilliant Fiesta ST should be at the very top of your shortlist.’