2023 (23) Ford Fiesta 1.5 EcoBoost ST-3 5dr

By Jonathan Crouch

Introduction

Want to know just how much fun it's possible to have in a ferociously fast small supermini? Then try one of these - the final version of Ford's Fiesta ST, which sold between 2021 and early 2024. It was developed like a proper performance car - and drives like one, ready to paint a smile upon your face corner after corner. As part of this MK3 model's light update in late 2021, the three cylinder 1.5-litre EcoBoost 200PS engine was given a fraction more torque, but otherwise, the package remained much as before, the handling super sharp. Of course, for not much more than the affordable prices Ford asks, you can buy more power. But after a drive in one of these, you probably won't want to.

History

This very last 2021-2024-era Fiesta ST represented the end of an era. The Fiesta ST was a model long acknowledged as the driver's choice amongst small runabouts and had a shopping rocket legacy that went all the way back to the XR2 of 1981, with a history subsequently embellished by the more powerful RS1800 and RS Turbo variants that followed it. Curiously though, none of these early fast Fiesta models ever quite hit the spot for serious enthusiasts. Throughout the Eighties, Nineties and Noughties, they tended to prefer French hot hatch rivals, first a series of small Peugeot GTis, then in more recent years, the Renaultsport Clio. Only with the second generation Fiesta ST of 2012 did Ford finally get their attention. And the company kept it with the replacement MK3 Fiesta ST of 2018, which four years into its production cycle was updated to create the car we're going to look at here. Over the Fiesta's life cycle, the Blue Oval brand used various performance badges with this model line. Track-spec RS derivatives were limited to the '90s MK3 model, while at the other extreme, 'ST-Line' designated nothing other than a sporty body kit. The 'ST' (or 'Sports Technology') badge though, was different and designated a car purpose-tuned by the talented engineers from the brand's Ford Performance division. The idea here being to create the kind of car a red-blooded racer could enjoy but still use every day. In this form update post-'21-era form, this fast Fiesta sold until the end of sales of this model line in mid-2024.

What You Get

It's easy to go overboard and get all 'Max Power' when it comes to a car of this kind, a temptation Ford thankfully resisted here, but there was a fresh exterior design for this revised version which got the balance just right. It incorporated a slightly more aggressive appearance - upper and lower 'Chrystaline Grey' honeycombed grilles, plus wide outer black-framed corner intakes - together with a higher-tech feel thanks to the sophisticated Matrix LED headlights. ST badging and an aero-optimised lower lip Ford Performance spoiler provided finishing touches. As part of the updates made to this MK3 model, Ford added a distinctive 'Mean Green' exterior colour option and deleted the old three-door body style, so you have to have the five-door variant. It still looks suitably sporty though, with side skirts and smart 5-spoke Magnetite alloy wheels, through the spokes of which you can see the red calipers of the performance braking system. It's the back of this car that most will see as you zip past though, where the tail lamps are of the brighter LED kind and the rear hatch spoiler and rear diffuser are finished in body colour. We're not certain that all the changes made to this updated model were for the better. Disappointingly, the grippy old Recaro sports seats were deleted as part of the 2022 update. Instead, the brand installed its own 'Ford Performance' front chairs which didn't quite emulate the race feel of the old Recaro bucket seats but incorporated integrated headrests and featured 14-way adjustment, distinctive red contrast stitching and Sensico faux-leather trim. Further sporty touches include a flat-bottomed, red-stitched sport steering wheel and a matte carbon-effect foil for the centre of the fascia. A silver gear knob, alloy-effect pedals and Ford Performance door sill finishers complete the effect. The main change you'll notice here on most models though, if you're graduating on from the earlier version of this MK3 model, is the option that saw the deletion of analogue dials in favour of a 12.3-inch digital instrument display. It changes in colour and format depending on the drive mode selected and can be personalised with various selectable data options. It's ST-branded at start-up too - as is the more familiar 8-inch SYNC centre touchscreen. What about rear seat space? Well as before, really tall folk will certainly need co-operation from those ahead to get truly comfortable in terms of leg room. Headroom's OK though, just about manageable even for a six-footer. We'll finish with considering the boot, which as usual in a Fiesta is an unremarkable 292-litres in size. If you need more room, pushing the 60:40-split backrest forward frees up 1,093-litres.

What to Look For

We haven't heard of too many problems with this MK3 Fiesta ST. There were reports of possible oil leaks on early cars, but that was quickly fixed. Look out for hesitancy in first and second gear on initial application of throttle, which may be a harbinger of an engine oil leak. We've also heard reports of squeaks and noises from the driver side pillar and the dashboard. A few owners have reported sagging seat material and loose fabric trim. Check that the paint is intact on the whole length of the join between the rear bumper and the rear quarter - there are been a few reports of missing or chipped paint in this area. Also make sure you check the headlights to make sure there is no staining of the inner film. A number of owners seem to think that Ford's paint is very thin and a few issues have been reported with the silver colour. The boot struts are poor and don't open the boot all the way up, so some people have fitted better gas struts. Check for kerbing damage to the wheels which not only looks awful but could also be a sign that there may be suspension damage or that the steering geometry is out of alignment. If the tyres have been worn out due to the driving style, then it's worth also checking the suspension and steering components for wear. If the car has had its right height lowered, then the tyres would theoretically wear out quicker if the steering alignment isn't correct. This would wear the inside edge of the tyres out, so put the steering on full lock and check for this. Check that the brakes are all working. Slowly move forward and pull up the handbrake gently to see how far the handbrake lever travels and you should feel the rear of the car dip down. If only one side dips down, then the opposite side brakes could be seized. This would fail an MOT and can be costly in parts. You should also be able to feel any imbalance in the brakes, or 'warping' as it's commonly known. This is a result of heavy or prolonged braking, generating heat, then keeping the footbrake applied while stationary. This is commonly initiated going from motorway speeds, down to a stop. Or by going for a blast around the country lanes. With warping comes over heated brakes, which will feel very un-responsive and could squeal at low speeds when braking. If the handbrake handle is travelling quite high, it could mean the rear pads are getting low, so it's worth checking. But the handbrake lever can be adjusted to lower it down. If the engine bay has been steam cleaned, ask why. It's not normal practice to do this when selling a car, unless something is trying to be hidden. Check underneath the engine for any drips or leaks. If you are at the private seller's address, ask where they usually park the car and look for signs of leaks on the ground. Check all fluid levels before starting the car and it's best to view the car when the engine is cold. This way you get to hear the engine as it would sound when you start it up every morning. You don't want a noisy engine. If the engine is warm as you arrive to view, it could be hiding a cold start issue or a rattle/noise. Either feel the bonnet for warmth or check the temperature gauge on the instrument cluster. Check in the engine bay for any signs of crash damage. Check that all the front end pieces are secure and not loose; the grilles, bumper, front panel, headlights etc. Check the retaining screws/bolts for signs of tampering, meaning that they have been removed at some point. Check that the air conditioning works. Check that the seats move, recline, raise and the general condition for wear and tear. Also that the seat belts pull right out and retract by themselves. Along with checking that everything inside the car works, check the radio and satellite navigation functions. Check the DAB function on the radio, as this has been a problem in the past for not working on some units. Have a look underneath the car all around to make sure nothing is hanging down or any debris is present. Give the exhaust a wobble to make sure it is secure and the mountings are present. If the exhaust has excessive movement, this could indicate the mountings are worn, possibly relating to worn engine mountings or exuberant driving styles meaning everything is moving too much. The same can be said if you wobble the exhaust and you can hear it knocking or banging against the under body of the car. Check for marks where you would put a trolley jack on the under body, then question the seller as to why the car has been in the air, possibly for modification or repair work. It is also worth getting an HPI report to see if there are records of the vehicle being damaged or written off. For a small fee it is well worth it, as the seller could be hiding something about the car and it's just not worth taking the risk of not checking. If the car has been written off or accident repaired, the front page of the V5-log book will show this at the bottom of the page. This means that the vehicle is recorded as such and will forever be on file for the car. This decreases the value of the car and you are best off going to find a non-damaged car, as there are plenty out there. And overall? Well if there are issues, then weigh up the hassle of rectifying them. If that's prohibitive, walk away. There are plenty of other examples of this model there.

Replacement Parts

(approx based on a 2022 Fiesta ST 1.5 EcoBoost 200PS - Ex Vat) An oil filter usually costs in the £5-£10 bracket, though you can pay £20-£25 for pricier brands. An air filter costs in the £8-£16 bracket. A fuel filter is in the £2-£24 bracket. A pollen filter costs in the £3-£15 bracket. A headlamp costs in the £123-£185 bracket. A wiper blade is in the £3-£14 bracket. A front brake disc costs in the £34-£79 bracket. A rear brake disc costs in the £20-£60 bracket. A front brake pad is in the £25-£40 brackets; rears are in the £14-£41 bracket. A radiator is in the £75-£187 bracket. An alternator is in the £156-£301 bracket.

On the Road

(approx based on a 2022 Fiesta ST 1.5 EcoBoost 200PS - Ex Vat) An oil filter usually costs in the £5-£10 bracket, though you can pay £20-£25 for pricier brands. An air filter costs in the £8-£16 bracket. A fuel filter is in the £2-£24 bracket. A pollen filter costs in the £3-£15 bracket. A headlamp costs in the £123-£185 bracket. A wiper blade is in the £3-£14 bracket. A front brake disc costs in the £34-£79 bracket. A rear brake disc costs in the £20-£60 bracket. A front brake pad is in the £25-£40 brackets; rears are in the £14-£41 bracket. A radiator is in the £75-£187 bracket. An alternator is in the £156-£301 bracket.

Overall

With the changes made to this MK3 Fiesta ST in 2021, Ford did just enough to keep its premier little hot hatch ahead of the chasing pack. This remains a really special little car, usable every day but as focused as you could want when your favourite road opens up and you can flex your right foot, sink into the grippy sports seats and dial up a responsible amount of red mist. Think of it as one-up for the common man, small perhaps in price and performance but big in smiles per mile. Which, at the end of the day, is exactly what a hot hatch should really be all about. We'll miss it.