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PROS:
+ Sublime to drive on a country road
+ Strong engine despite its size
+ Good standard equipment
CONS:
- There are roomier hot hatches...
- ...with better infotainment
- Feels firm over bumps
Verdict: Quite simply one of the finest small hot hatches on sale. Only the Toyota GR Yaris is better, but then it costs quite a bit more to buy.
2021 Ford Fiesta ST review: the five-minute read
The humble hot hatch used to be different. It used to be the same car your dad drove, but with the wick turned up a little, some go-faster stripes and maybe some furry dice hanging from the rearview mirror. Not anymore. Things have got a little out of hand.
The Ford Fiesta ST is about as close to the old-timers it gets in a world of 300-plus horsepower mega hatches that now outrun supercars of old. It's small, light, has a peppy 1.5-litre petrol engine and a sporty look.
It'd seem obvious to compare it to the Toyota GR Yaris, but that car is £10,000 more expensive. As such, VW's Polo GTI and the Suzuki Swift Sport are closer in price and performance.
But to our eyes, the Fiesta is the better-looking car. It's sporty without being overly aggressive, with a unique body kit versus the rest of the Fiesta range, darker grille and larger standard alloy wheels. Inside there are Recaro sports seats with contrast stitching, and that stitching is also found on the sports steering wheel and gear lever gaiter. It's nicer than a Swift Sport's effort, but the Polo feels the plusher car from the driver's seat.
You get an 8.0-inch touchscreen plonked on the dashboard as standard in the Fiesta ST, which looks a little bit of an afterthought. It's a responsive screen that shows simple menus, plus comes with sat-nav as standard, but also Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so you might as well use that instead. Even so, a Polo's infotainment is more impressive too.
The Fiesta ST isn't as spacious as the Polo GTI either. The front passengers are well catered for, but those in the back, if adults, will find their knees against the front seatbacks and their heads brushing the ceiling. The Fiesta's boot is quite a bit smaller than the Polo's too.
The ST's engine is small but mighty. It's a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol that's turbocharged to 200hp and 290nm of torque – perfect for the car's modest weight. It's strong low down in its revs, but also not afraid to be pushed hard, so the best of both worlds. It even sounds pretty good for a turbo three-pot.
And when it comes to driving, the Fiesta ST has the Polo and Swift easily beaten. Those cars feel strong in a straight line like the ST, but don't turn into corners with the same verve, aren't as playful off the throttle or seem to keep their weight in check as easily. The ST really is a joy to drive hard on a familiar country road.
It does the everyday stuff well too though. It's easy to see out of, simple to park and quiet enough to take on a long journey. The only slight issue is its suspension, which is fantastic when you want to go quickly, but a little firm when you just want to take it easy, although never enough to truly annoy.
So, again, a GR Yairs is the even better small hot hatch, but at the ST's price level, nothing else can compete with the Ford's sheer fun factor. It has to be the first test drive you book if you're looking for one.
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Extended read…
2021 Ford Fiesta ST interior and infotainment
The Fiesta ST is marked out from the rest of the range by Recaro sports seats with contrast stitching, and that stitching is also found on the sports steering wheel and gear lever gaiter. Overall, its a nicer cabin than the standard Fiesta and nicer than a Swift Sport's effort, but the Polo feels the plusher car from the driver's seat.
There's a decent attempt to be practical too. The glovebox is pretty good, there's a cubby at the base of the dash and underneath the central armrest in the front, although the door pockets could be bigger.
You get an 8.0-inch touchscreen plonked on the dashboard as standard in the Fiesta ST, which looks a little bit of an afterthought. It's a responsive screen that shows simple menus, plus comes with sat-nav as standard, but also Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so you might as well just use that instead. All-told, the Polo's infotainment is more impressive too.
Part of that is the Polo's digital dials, which the Fiesta doesn't get, which is a shame. You do get a fantastic B&O sound system from ST-3 trim, though, which is one of the best in any small car.
2021 Ford Fiesta ST practicality and boot space
The bottom line is, if you need outright space and practicality from your hot hatch, the Ford Fiesta ST is better than a GR Yaris, on a par with the Suzuki Swift Sport, but quite a bit worse than a VW Polo GTI in this area.
If you're an adult in the front of the ST, you're fine. Front headroom is good and the driver gets a fantastic driving position which is fine-tuned with manual adjustment. Rear space is tight, though, and this three-door hatch is difficult to get baby seats in and out of.
At 290 litres the Fiesta's boot is much better than a GR Yaris's, slightly better than a Swift Sport's but some way short of a Polo GTI's. Nevertheless, it'll handle the weekly shop well enough and is at least a practical shape.
2021 Ford Fiesta ST engine
The ST's engine is small but mighty. It's a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol that's turbocharged to 200hp and 290nm of torque – perfect for the car's modest weight.
It's strong low down in its revs, but also not afraid to be pushed hard, so the best of both worlds. It even sounds pretty good for a three-pot.
A six-speed manual gearbox comes as standard and there's no automatic option (thankfully). It's a great 'box, which only adds to the enjoyment but is still easy to use in town.
2021 Ford Fiesta ST driving
The ST's finest attribute. There are faster hot hatches, with more power, more grip and faster lap times, but very few match the ST's pure driving appeal on the right road.
Its steering isn't quite as sharp as its predecessor's, but most won't even notice. It's still precise and nicely weighted, importantly giving you the confidence you want in the front wheels when pushing on.
The ST changes direction wonderfully, controlling its weight and turning into corners sharply and without fuss.
Elsewhere, though, it still does a fine job. In town, it has a tight turning circle and is easy to see out of, while on the motorway it has enough power, yet hush, to be a decent mile muncher.
Only a slightly firm feel over bumps at low speeds lets it down, although this is much improved over the old model and is never bad enough to frustrate. The way it helps on a country road will more than make up for it.
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