Driving through the teeming rain isn’t all that fun at the best of times; however a nice dry and warm cabin is to be found inside that of the new Ford Fiesta ST. This is the performance model of the Ford Fiesta line-up, and the ride and stability of Ford’s smallest car is fantastic. Aided by a nice viewpoint from the driver’s seat, the small Ford Fiesta ST feels so much bigger on the road than it actually is.

Out on the road, the Ford Fiesta ST has an accomplished chassis that provides loads of grip in both wet and dry conditions. Boasting a sports tuned suspension, the ST can be flung into twisty corners with great confidence, and you get the vibes that the tuned set-up will handle the demands of the abundantly enthusiastic driver. Darting in and out of corners, racing away from the lights and running at high-geared motorway speeds is what this little hatch is excellent for. And, the kids will love being picked up in the spirited new Ford Fiesta ST. Low profile tyres, sexy alloys, and sports trim on the exterior and inside the cabin set this little number apart from the mainstream hatchbacks. You’ve got to love the vivid molten orange and performance blue colour works. Actually, the Ford Fiesta ST comes in six striking colours; perhaps my pick being the frozen white. I just think the plucky Fiesta lines are shown off at their best in the white, where the 17-inch alloys stand out proud.

Technology inside the Ford Fiesta ST is very up-to-date. Finding all the necessary features on the well-dressed dashboard is easy, and Ford’s Fiesta ST comes with Voice Control heaven. Bluetooth hands free with Voice Control makes life so easy when you need to catch up with friends but still need to remain at the wheel to say… catch the kids from school, meet up with your next date or collect your boss from the airport. USB/iPod connectivity adds to the Fiesta of fun, and Ford has equipped the Fiesta ST with a great sound system that offers Sony high end sound with a 4-inch display, a branded integrated control panel, external AUX connection for external music devices, remote audio and MFD controls and eight high quality speakers for the best sound you’ll find for the money.

One other cool feature worth a mention is Ford’s clever Ford SYNC™ Connectivity System with voice-activated hands free calling and automatic phone book transfer. Steering wheel mounted audio and phone controls come as standard items in the new Ford Fiesta ST. Cruise control is a great feature, as the ST loves to gallop, and climate control keeps the cabin temperature nicely balanced.

Comfort able seating – especially for those in the front seats make for driving enjoyment and a relaxed progression from A-to-B. A handy level of room for back seat occupants can accommodate a couple of burly lads from the local footie team or three average size adults – at a pinch. This would make an ideal car for Mum, Dad and two kids. Ford’s Fiesta ST comes with a very nice leather appointed interior that offers Recaro sports seats in the front.

Let’s take a look at what powers the Fiesta ST. Responsive acceleration and strong linear torque are features of the new 1.6L GTDi EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine. Linked to a six-speed manual transmission, the ST really gets down to business quickly. The car feels superbly swift, and with the powerful disc brakes all round combining with what is a really nice chassis, the Ford Fiesta ST is a rewarding drive. Rated at 134 kW and providing a healthy 240 Nm of twist from as low as 1600 rpm all the way up to 5000 rpm, you can feel the engine packing plenty of punch as the Fiesta ST powers down. Being a diesel, the economy is superb. Torque Vectoring Control is a newly appointed standard feature of the ST package. Electric Power-Assisted-Steering is also a great match for this hot hatch.

I think you’ll have to look hard for a worthy Fiesta ST rival. You know that you’re driving something special as the ST has a nicely crafted leather wrapped steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake grip. Sports alloy pedal covers, ST carpet mats, ST front door scuff plates and, of course, the ST Sports bodykit with twin exhausts out the back.

Go and indulge your wild side! The current Ford Fiesta models include the:

• Fiesta Ambiente 1.5-litre petrol
• Fiesta Trend 1.5-litre petrol
• Fiesta Sport 1.0L GTDi EcoBoost 3-cylinder
• Fiesta ST 1.6L GTDi EcoBoost (134 kW)

For any more information on the new Ford Fiesta ST or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Ford dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

Back to Ford Reviews