Summary
The Ford Fiesta ST is a performance version of the regular Fiesta hatchback. The current model was launched in summer 2018, and received a mid-life facelift in 2022. Unlike its big brother, the Focus ST, it’s only available with a petrol engine.
Like previous generations, this latest Fiesta ST has received outstanding reviews from the UK motoring media. As of September 2023, it holds an Expert Rating of 86% based on 32 different reviews – a score which is markedly higher than the standard Fiesta range. In addition, it has also received numerous awards from various automotive titles.
The Fiesta ST has received unanimous commendation for its driving dynamics, and while its pricing has increased since its 2022 facelift, the hot hatch is regarded as unmatched by anything in its price range, and is also praised for its increased refinement over previous models. The only mild criticisms have been that it’s a bit softer than the last one, although that helps to make it a more practical and comfortable car for daily use.
Like the rest of the Ford Fiesta family, the Fiesta ST ended production in Summer 2023. If you’re lucky, you may still find a new one for sale at your local Ford dealer, but you’d better hurry…
Fiesta ST highlights
- Plenty of fun on the road
- Punchy performance
- Nimble driving dynamics
- Plenty of kit included as standard
- Surprisingly economical
Fiesta ST lowlights
- Firm suspension can be uncomfortable
- Value-for-money status hindered by rising prices
- Only one five-door trim available
- Rival brands are more reliable
Key specifications
Body style: Three- and five-door hatch
Engines: petrol
Price: From £27,320 on-road
Launched: Summer 2018
Last updated: Spring 2022
Ended production: Summer 2023
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“More accomplished it may be, but the latest Ford Fiesta ST is as fun as its brilliant predecessor. Prices have crept up but the driving experience alone will convince you it’s worth it, and the Fiesta ST is still one of the best small hot hatches on the market.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Edition
Score: 9 / 10
“Itb sounds like a lot for some trick suspension and lightweight wheels, but the Fiesta ST Edition’s upgrades add a level of control beyond what the already brilliant standard ST-3 trim possesses, while the adjustable suspension allows owners to tailor the car’s settings to their exact requirements.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Ford’s Fiesta ST has grown up, but it’s still a vibrant, exhilarating hot hatch to drive.”
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Model reviewed: Performance Edition
Score: 9 / 10
“The Ford Fiesta ST is the best car in its class. But the firm wasn’t content with that, so it’s enhanced what its junior hot hatch offers with this very bright Fiesta ST Performance Edition.”
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Model reviewed: ST M225
Score: 8 / 10
“A sensible set of upgrades for the already excellent Ford Fiesta ST, Mountune’s latest range of options enhance the car’s dynamics without drastically altering its personality.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Ford Fiesta ST is a truly fabulous hot hatch, not just by the standards of similarly priced rivals, but also by the standards of much more expensive machinery. The performance and handling make it a sensational car to drive, while the comfortable ride and generous spec make it easy to live with.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: Track Pack 2023
Score: 9 / 10
“The Ford Fiesta ST is Track Pack exceptionally agile, more so than the Civic Type R, resists washing wide and is consistently throttle-adjustable. It really dives into corners willingly, with steering springy and maybe over-reactive.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“There isn’t another front-driven performance car in striking distance of the Ford Fiesta ST’s price that offers nearly as much driver appeal. It will continue to be the default answer to a question asked by readers looking for cost-effective at-the-wheel thrills.”
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Model reviewed: ST Edition
Score: 9 / 10
“If you miss out on one of the 300 examples coming to the UK, you could always buy a Fiesta ST-3 and spend an extra £1690 on the trick suspension yourself. But for those lucky enough to nab one, they’ll be getting an even more impressive version of an already exceptional hot hatch.”
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Car
Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift range)
Score: 10 / 10
“The interior is a huge upgrade, with a much more modern ambience, and the latest digital screen tech, albeit with materials not quite of the highest quality in places.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift range)
Score: 10 / 10
“Though the prices for the Fiesta ST might have increased over the years, once you get in the driving seat you’ll quickly realise it’s worth every penny.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.6 / 10
“Fast and fun yet practical and economical, the latest Ford Fiesta ST is as great a hot hatch as ever.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The new Ford Fiesta ST is loads of fun to drive, faster than the old model and comes with more high-tech kit but alternatives are easier to live with every day.”
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Company Car Today
“The Ford Fiesta ST has rightly been crowned as the current king of the hot hatch brigade, offering great performance, handling and looks. The top-spec ST-3 comes loaded with kit, including sat-nav, 18-inch alloy wheels, Recaro sports seats, rear privacy glass and keyless entry.”
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Eurekar
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual three-door hatchback ST-2
“Despite its raging performance, the Ford Fiesta ST remains a practical hatchback with decent luggage space, particularly with the seats folded.”
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Model reviewed: ST-3
“The engineers at Ford have taken the new Fiesta – itself a winner in the everyman driving stakes – and turned the grin-ometer up to full for the ST version, adding to its attraction with a price that makes it look a bit of a bargain.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
“The set-up is a little softer, but the new Fiesta ST is more rounded, more mature, and a much improved everyday car. And, if you want to be ‘enthusiastic’, it’s a belter.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift range)
Score: 9 / 10
“A class stalwart, maybe, but the Ford Fiesta ST drives with real enthusiasm, engagement and sophistication.” (Jordan Katsianis)
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Model reviewed: Performance Edition
Score: 9 / 10
“The Performance Edition is effectively a Fiesta ST-3 with Ford’s performance pack as standard, and a few toys on top of that.”
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Fleetworld
“The Ford Fiesta ST is astonishingly good, and we don’t say that lightly. It is slightly marred by an overly aggressive and skittish ride more suited to race than road, but is otherwise hard to fault. Compared to its closest competition, it’s also something of a bargain too.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“Ford could so have so easily misjudged the Fiesta ST but, fortunately, it hasn’t. It’s taken the already brilliant Fiesta hatchback and given it all you could ask for in a hot hatch. It’s an absolute joy to drive, but it isn’t a compromise in other areas. The interior’s pretty good, and the running costs won’t ruin you.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“Ford could so have so easily misjudged the Fiesta ST but, fortunately, it hasn’t. It’s taken the already brilliant Fiesta hatchback and given it all you could ask for from a hot hatch costing less than £20,000.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift range)
Score: 9 / 10
“As ever with the Fiesta ST, the suspension demands commitment and toleration much as the handling insists your passengers require a strong stomach. So although it is, in no uncertain terms, quite brilliant, it’s not the kind of car that will suit everyone.”
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The Sun
“The Ford Fiesta is more or less the answer to every question. The hybrid means more miles from the tank and no faffing about with a plug.”
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“The Ford Fiesta ST is probably the greatest car pound-for-pound on the planet.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: ST
Score: 8 / 10
“Ford’s junior pocket rocket stays sharp but fails to grow up.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“Ford’s tweaked the Fiesta ST’s recipe, but it hasn’t ruined it. This new car loses a fraction of the old car’s edge and verve, but it trades that for more usability without losing the charm, accessibility or outright excitement of the old model. And yes, it’s still the best car of its type.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift range)
Score: 8 / 10
“The fast Fiesta is more grown up in all the ways you’d want, marginally less chuckable than before, but still hilarious.”
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Model reviewed: Performance Edition
Score: 9 / 10
“If anything, the orange paint’s a bit off-putting. The paintjob may be silly, but this is the Fiesta ST getting serious.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift range)
Score: 8 / 10
“If you’re after a fun hot hatch, the Ford Fiesta ST should be at the very top of your shortlist. It just pips the excellent Hyundai i20 N for driving pleasure, and it’s way more exciting to drive than the Volkswagen Polo GTI. It doesn’t represent as good value as it used to, though, which does blunt its appeal and puts it right up against rivals.”
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Which?
Model reviewed: Range overview
“Arguably the most exciting small hatchback on sale, the Ford Fiesta ST should be high on the list of those seeking thrills. However, an overly firm ride will be enough to put some off, plus our tests revealed question marks over accessibility to the rear seats and braking performance.”
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Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: September 2017
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 87%
Child protection: 84%
Vulnerable road users: 64%
Safety assist: 60%
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of September 2023, the Ford Fiesta ST has not yet been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 446
Average repair cost: £430.29
Last updated: September 2023
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
The Ford Fiesta range (including the ST) has an average reliability score of 52%, so it sits pretty much in the middle of the marketplace. This applies to all Fiesta models in MotorEasy’s database, including older model generations and all powertrain versions from entry-level diesels to the top-spec ST.
The majority of Fiesta warranty claims refer to suspension repairs, but these are relatively inexpensive to fix on average, costing less than £200. Engine and gearbox repairs are inevitably the most expensive claims by a considerable margin, with an average repair bill of around £1,000 for each – and unfortunately, they appear to be more common than you’d expect.
If you’re looking at a used Ford Fiesta ST, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas, especially the engine and gearbox.
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 40 mpg | D | 40 – 40 mpg | D – D |
CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 153 g/km | B | 145 – 158 g/km | B – C |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 26 | B | 25 – 26 | B – B |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £203 | B |
Year 2 | £511 | B |
Year 3 | £828 | B |
Year 4 | £1,031 | B |
Year 5 | £1,434 | B |
Overall | £4,007 | B |
For a performance car, the Ford Fiesta ST is relatively affordable to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Fuel consumption is poor, ranking in the bottom 40% of all new cars on sale. However, the rest of the Fiest ST’s running costs are pretty good for a hot hatch. Servicing and maintenance, along with insurance, are ranked B, which puts them in the top 40% of all new cars on sale.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Ford Fiesta ST has received
2022
- What Car? Awards – Best Hot Hatch for Value
2021
- What Car? Awards – Best Hot Hatch for Value
2020
- What Car? Awards – Best hot hatch under £24K
- News UK Motor Awards – The Sun ‘Legend Award’
2018
- Top Gear Awards – Car of the Year + Best Hot Hatch
- Parkers New Car Awards – Car of the Year + Best Car for Thrill Seekers
- Carbuyer Awards – Best Hot Hatch
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Ford Fiesta ST, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Ford Puma ST | Hyundai i20 N | Mini Cooper S | Mini hatch John Cooper Works | Suzuki Swift Sport | Toyota GR Yaris | Volkswagen Polo GTI | Volkswagen Up GTI
More information
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