Ford aims for continued leadership of the supermini-shaped hot hatch segment with this car, an improved version of the third generation Fiesta ST. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

Want to know just how much fun it's possible to have in a ferociously fast small supermini? Then try one of these - Ford's Fiesta ST. It's been developed like a proper performance car - and drives like one, ready to paint a smile upon your face corner after corner. This third generation model has had a light update and the three cylinder 1.5-litre EcoBoost 200PS engine now gets a fraction more torque, but otherwise, the package is much as before, the handling super sharp.

Background

Here we are again at the end of an era. We'll be saying that quite often to you over the next few years as familiar combustion model lines give way to full-electric ones but in this case, the change is particularly significant. The Ford Fiesta will soon be no more, production scheduled to end in Summer 2023, including the best-loved variant in this enduring model line, this car, the Fiesta ST.

This ST model has long been acknowledged as the driver's choice amongst small runabouts and has a shopping rocket legacy that goes 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 try here.

Driving Experience

A welcome update for this facelifted model is the standardisation of the previously optional 'Performance Pack', which includes a Quaife limited slip differential for extra cornering bite, plus 'Performance Shift Lights' and a 'Launch Control' set-up. As before, more fundamental handling features include frequency-selective race-style dampers which are passive but create much of this car's keen cornering feel. Credit for that goes also to the special 'force vectoring' springs, which have allowed the engineers to simultaneously sharpen cornering turn-in whilst simultaneously improving ride quality - no small achievement.

Other elements of Fiesta ST DNA include a wide track, a super-sharply responsive steering rack, a rigid body, a high performance braking system, eTVC torque vectoring for extra cornering precision and a specially developed set of Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres. The result of all this engineering is a very special package indeed. As you'll realise after the first few seconds of driving it.

Design and Build

There's a fresh exterior design for this revised version that incorporates a slightly more aggressive appearance, together with a higher-tech feel thanks to the sophisticated Matrix LED headlights. The upper and lower honeycombed grilles are finished in distinctive Chrystaline Grey and ST badging along with an aero-optimised lower lip Ford Performance spoiler provide finishing touches. Standard 18‑inch alloy wheels feature a brooding dark Magnetite finish and exterior colour options include bold ST Mean Green. Only a five-door body style is now offered.

Inside, disappointingly, the old Recaro sports seats are no more. Instead, Ford Performance Seats have been developed instead. These incorporate integrated headrests and 14-way adjustment, with distinctive red contrast stitching and Sensico trim for a premium feel. A flat-bottomed sport steering wheel and a matte carbon-effect foil with red detailing add further sporty character to the cabin, as does the silver finishing for the pedals, gear knob and Ford Performance-branded door sills. As before, you get blue seatbelts and an 8-inch centre-dash SYNC3 infotainment touchscreen. You've to pay extra though, for the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that most customers will want.

Market and Model

There is one trim level from which to choose - 'ST3', only available in five-door form and at the time of our test in Autumn 2022 costing just under £27,500. That sum gets you selectable drive modes, as well as a flat-bottomed steering wheel, sports seats and ST sports suspension. Crucially, it also includes Ford's 'Performance Pack', which used to be an expensive extra and includes a Quaife limited slip differential for extra cornering bite, plus 'Performance Shift Lights' and a 'Launch Control' set-up.

This car also comes with plenty of niceties - like climate control, keyless entry, a rear view camera, rear privacy glass, LED rear lights, cruise control, rear parking sensors and a Quickclear heated windscreen. Media stuff is taken care of by the SYNC 2.5 8-inch centre touchscreen, which includes a six-speaker DAB audio system and 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring capability.

Ford's 'SYNC 3' centre screen upgrade, gets you the sophisticated 12.3-inch instrument screen, plus a wireless charging mat and for the centre monitor, navigation and the FordPass Connect Wi-Fi set-up. The same package can also be had with an improved 10-speaker B&O audio system.

Cost of Ownership

The whole point of sporty Fiestas has always been to offer a generous slice of fun coupled with modest running costs, a trend which continues with this third generation ST. You're looking at up to 42.2mpg and up to 151g/km.

Two pre-paid servicing plans are available; one that covers you for two years and two services; and another that is transferrable to future owners and covers three years and three services. if you're thinking of doing a few track days - and so much fun is this car that it'd be a shame not to - remember to budget for extra wear on brake pads, discs and tyres.

Insurance is group 26E. As for the warranty, well like all Fords, this one comes with a 36-month 60,000-mile package that also includes one year of Europe-wide breakdown assistance. On top of that, there's an anti-corrosion guarantee for 12 years.

Summary

In all honesty, you'd have more fun in this little Ford on a public road than you ever could in something pricier and more powerful. 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.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Ford Fiesta ST

PRICES: £27,320 – On The Road

INSURANCE GROUP: 26E

CO2 EMISSIONS: 153g/km

PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph 6.5s / top speed 143mph

FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 42.2mpg

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Electronic stability control, ABS with brake assist, six airbags

WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4068/1735/1469mm