Ford Fiesta ST hatchback 2013 review - CarBuyer

"The 180bhp Ford Fiesta ST is a great fun hot hatchback that is exceptionally good value."

The Ford Fiesta is a fun car to drive even in its most basic models. But this one, well it's a little bit special because under there it has a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, which can pump out a maximum 200 horsepower

Just looking at this Fiesta you can tell it has a firecracker up its exhaust. Ford has given it an appropriately aggressive body kit, boot spoiler, larger alloy wheels, lowered sports suspension and disc brakes all round -- a fiesta first.

Okay enough about the looks, you can make your own mind up about that. What I need to do is convey to you just how much fun this little car is to drive. Let's start with the engine -- it can do 0-62mph in just 6.9 seconds and tops out at 139mph. It's just so sweet to use as well. It's got loads of low down grunt yet still loves to rev. And the noise it makes is better than its rivals.

Now the performance would count for nothing if this car didn't handle. And I knew it would be good -- because the normal Fiesta is brilliant through the corers - but I didn't know just how much better the ST would be. Believe me it out handles all of its rivals.

But it's just not the way the Fiesta ST grips to the road that I like about it -- it's the way you can feel it gripping to the road both through the steering -- which is faster than on the normal fiesta and very accurate -- and through your bottom via the driver's seat as though the car is pivoting right beneath you.

Now if all that is too much motoring journalist speak for you let me sum the Fiesta ST up this way. It is a car which makes you laugh out loud like a complete idiot. It's a car that goads you to thrash it. It's a car you drive just for the hell of it even if you have no destination. In short it's a brilliant car.

Now you may think I'm getting carried away. Or you may think I'm being paid by Ford. So to prove I'm not here are some things which aren't so great about this pocket rocket.

The brakes. They have plenty of feel but the Fiesta ST's doesn't from 70mph as quickly as a Renaultsport Clio. Also the boy racer looks mean it's not as classy as a VW Polo GTI. And while the ride is pretty good for a mall hot hatch this car isn't as comfy as the Peugeot 208 GTi.

Also, apart from the body hugging sports seats, inside the Fiesta ST hardly feels any more special than the normal Fiesta. And it suffers from the same problems too like that confusing Sony Stereo, questionable build quality, a small boot with a stepped load bay and rear seats which feel a little bit cramped.

You can overlook all this these problems though when you consider this -- the Fiesta ST is not only a better hot hatch than its rivals it's actually cheaper than them too and I'm talking by a couple of thousand not a couple of hundred pounds by the way. So it's a no brainer...

[BallisticSheriff]

I never really liked Fords but I always look at a Fiesta ST, I think its a fantastic looking car and for value for money I'd love to have one. bravo Ford.

[RLj]

Recently brought a Fiesta ST-2 in spirit blue and haven't got a single regret at the moment. Build quality for me is brilliant compared to a Vauxhall Corsa which I had previously. The ride is firm from the sports suspension but it handles superbly. The thing I love about the fiesta st is how it pulls in every gear, such a brilliant engine! Also the heated seats are a great little touch too!

[iantownsend]

The best smaller hot hatch on the market

[callumscott]

Just got my Fiesta ST3 in frozen white! Amazing to drive and always puts a smile on your face when you give it the beans!

[Alexperrin]

Owned one for 2 years now and I still love it

[transnetnixdorf]

If the hand brake is applied, a 50 pence sized hole appears to the rear of the handle.
Things I have lost into this abyss....

50 pences
McDonalds fries
501 light bulbs
Fags
1 pound coins
SORT IT OUT FORD

other than that, I've owned this car for two years now and its amazing. Reliable, fast, sexy and cute!

[aaaaaaaaaaaa]

The smile of having fun seems genuine.

[DarrenJones]

Disc brakes all round "A FIRST FOR A FIESTA" so the mk5 ST was an illusion?

[jackwatkeys]

He says this is the first Fiesta to have all round disc brakes, but in fact the previous fiesta st had all round discs

[adriaanpretorius]

Thank you for the vid. I have a 2016 white Fiesta ST 71000 km on the odo, Right hand drive. Greetings from Pretoria South Africa!

[snodderz]

Ordered my white st-2 last week and can't stop watching videos of it! ROLL ON SEPTEMBER!

[bradleyrees]

Loved my ST had it from brand new (2013), unfortunately they are extremely easy to steal and have a blind spot on the alarm which allows thieves to access the OBD port and start the car without:

a). Setting off the alarm
b). Needing the keys

Ford of course advises no one of this, advising of it is as good as admitting it's a fault.

So yeah my advice if you get one make sure the OBD port is secured! Or you'll wake up one morning like me and the car will be gone.

[juhojalonen]

This must be a great car for it's time. Weirdly Mat didn't like the new one (2018 --) too much, but luckily I ignored him and bought one. It is a delight!

[FreDCBelgium]

Ordered mine today, can't wait for it!

[jswilli]

I literally own this car now and have for 2 years. Like that actual one 😂 she’s still on the road and doing great

[M_Max]

Really wanting one to upgrade from my mini one. Seems like an appropriate upgrade after almost 2 years

[jordanski]

I really like this car, I am thinking of upgrading to one over summer. I also really liked how you swerved away from the look and let us make our own minds up, rather than cramming your opinion down our throats!

[itsink]

I like car buyer because there are a variety of car reviews.

[ronaldvanholst]

I own one since June this year.. and man it's an amazing car... Im abroad for 2 months and I miss my car at least as much as my girlfriend.... GET IT

[avijeetdas]

Getting my ST3 in just over 2 weeks and I can't wait! Not getting it Mountuned yet though as I can't afford it but I'm sure its exciting to drive as it is.