Fiesta ST or GTI, which is better on the track? -- Everyday Driver

The guys travel to Denver for the Rocky Mountain Drive Event, allowing them a fast comparison of the Fiesta ST and latest GTI in back-to-back track sessions. The result is a simpler and less polished shoot that we prefer, but still something we wanted to share. How does the new GTI stack up against Ford's performance bargain?

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[GR]

The _Fiesta_ *ST* doesn't know it's a FWD car and doesn't care - Hats Off.

[alanzapanta]

I Love my ST, omg its my daily driver. Just brings a smile everyday no matter what the anticipated atmosphere will be at work.  Just opens a smile going in and out of work.  Drive mostly on interstate road to work M, Tue, W, F, Sat at 80mi roundtrip.  Man, it slices through like a bushido blade lol.

[robinwright]

I have the MK7 and I think the Fiesta ST is a great car too. Everyone is so one or the other. Both cars win.

[darrenloke]

Focus ST is the same league as a Golf GTi. The Fiesta ST should be compared against the Polo GTi instead. I think this is lacking in the US market

[benmorin]

Si's and Gti's used to be the lightweight kings of the street racing. Both Manufacturers made them bigger more expensive and softer each year and all they have left is a reputation. This Fiesta St and the Abarth are to me today's Civic CRX or Corrado/Golf VR6.

[Andreas]

I've driven both GTI and ST. While the Golf comes with softer suspension it's no where as fun and engaging as the ST to drive. Steering feel is superior in the ST, in the Golf it's numb and not as quick to sudden movements. In the ST you feel connected to the road. ST might have one of the best steerings currently. If your priorities is comfort get the GTI, if you enjoy driving, get the ST. It's a true pocket rocket!

[elaxel]

The fiesta has to be compared to Polo GTI, and the Golf with the focus.

[cdeNne]

I currently have both. Fiesta ST is definitely more fun. The GTI is great for daily use and about 75% as fun as the ST.

If I can only keep 1, it would be the GTI

[stuntdoogie]

Had my FiST since Nov 2013 and absolutely love it!  I dont care if its not faster than a BRZ, SI or GTI all I know is that its fun to drive. For a Sub Compact it gives those other cars including some V6's a run for there money. This FiST is a little beast. I Appreciate what Ford has done here with this little Sub Compact. They made driving fun again for me in a small affordable package.

[KURDinEXILE]

Ford Fiesta is one of the best pieces of automotive engineering. Drive one before you judge. Honestly, the best road handling I've ever seen.

[JCTiggs]

I've had my Fiesta ST for over a month now and love it! Power is under-rated from Ford and is really making about 215 hp and 240 ft lb of trq bases in dyno runs. On a 2700 lb car, that's quite a lot and makes it a blast to drive, even in a straight line, something the brz was sorely lacking.

[StreetCruizer]

I'm happy for you that you had the opportunity to drive those european hot hatches on a track. I'm well aware that Ford is an american brand and not european. But the Fiesta was originally designed for the european market and just came over to the US with the current generation. On top of that Ford is the only foreign brand in Germany that is perceived as German, although it's clearly american. Anyhow I think it's great that both sides of the atlantic now get more awesome cars from the other. You get STs and GTIs and we'll get the new Mustang. What an awesome time to be a car enthusiast.

[TheJeremyevans]

the traction control on the fiesta is a bit un-nerving at first. but when you get used to it- it's comfortably reassuring

[MarcKloos]

The Fiesta and Golf are both red and European (although this Fiesta is built in Mexico), but that's were all similarities end.
Here in Europe the Golf is compared to the Focus, while the smaller Fiesta is compared with the smaller VW Polo.

[marcoc]

Owned a FiST and now own a GTI. FiST has better steering and a much better gearbox. I can shift as fast as possible. The GTi’s gearbox is not as fluid and positive. The FiST always wants to punch above it’s weight and is much more fun to drive. The GTI definitely is more luxurious. Not sure which is more durable though (I’m thinking the Ford will have fewer problems as it ages).

[jasonleary]

I've test driven both cars back to back on some twisties, and there really is no comparison when it comes to corner carving. The GTI will do the twisties, but it feels somewhat reluctant and much heavier compared with the Fiesta ST. It's not as much of a fun car to drive that way, whereas the Fiesta ST had me grinning from ear to ear, begging for more! The Fiesta ST's steering accuracy and responsive handling are razor sharp in comparison to the GTI's slightly soft and heavy feeling reluctant vibe. I also found it slow to get back on the power with the DSG in sport mode out of tight corners, compared with the Fiesta ST that you can just plant the rpm's around 4k+ coming out of a corner with the manual, and it just goes. Perhaps I'm not used to the "flappy paddles" to shift the DSG manually, but I also just prefer having a clutch and a real manual shifter. The GTI is a nice car, but the Fiesta ST is a fun car.

[estebanposadaduque]

amazing to see this "small fire-ball " comes in 5 door hatch-back .... Henry Ford´s legacy at his best .... I own a TITANIUM 5 door HB made in México and shipped to my lovely Colombia ....

[vdubprints]

I got out of my tuned MKVI GTI for the New FiST No regrets and love every bit of it!!

[MechRider]

I chose the GTI because I spend a lot of time driving. Quality and comfort are worth the extra coin, just wish I'd have got a PP model....that LSD would be very handy in hard cornering.

[stephanematis]

Curious how much the Performance Pack's mechanical LSD would change this, assuming this wasn't a PP edition GTI.