Ford Fiesta ST1.5 EcoBoost ST Performance Edition 3dr
2020
11,292 miles
Petrol
£20,930
LN24HZ
Ford has applied the ST badge to several models in the past, but it’s rarely been better than on the Fiesta ST. The first turbocharged ST arrived in 2012 based on the sixth-generation Fiesta, and its successor arrived in 2018, now based on the seventh generation (and final) Fiesta, which went out of production in 2023.
It’s one of the best hot hatchbacks of the 21st century, combining agile handling with a punchy engine and a sense of fun to match cars many times the price. It was good value and unsurprisingly popular new, and plentiful supply means used prices are keen too.
Compact hot hatches like the ST are getting rarer, but others you might consider include the MINI Cooper S and Volkswagen Polo GTI, while if you’re looking at an older ST, the Peugeot 208 GTI and Renault Sport Clio 200 and 220 are two more options.
If you’re looking for one of the most entertaining modern hot hatchbacks around, you probably don’t need to look much further than the Ford Fiesta ST. The last couple of generations have been either near or at the very top of their class for thrills, and the model was wildly popular when it was new - which means the market is full of used models at competitive prices.
The most recent ST, launched in 2018, is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, and its 200PS output and interesting exhaust note perfectly complement the Fiesta’s agile handling and razor-sharp steering. What it lacks in sophistication - the ride can be really quite firm - it more than makes up for in fun.
Underneath though it’s still a Fiesta, which means the ST is practical too, especially in five-door form - though it arguably doesn’t quite look as good as the three-door car. There are hatchbacks (and hot hatchbacks) with more passenger space and bigger boots, but the ST’s still perfectly usable.
It’s even quite frugal, with more than 40mpg a realistic figure if you’re not driving around like your underwear is on fire. Insurance costs are par for the class (though the car can be a bit of a thief magnet, so consider extra security measures), and they’re proving relatively reliable so far too.
Nearly-new alternatives to the Fiesta ST include the MINI Cooper S and Volkswagen Polo GTI. Both feel higher quality than the Ford though even the up-for-it MINI isn’t quite as good to drive. The old Peugeot 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport got much closer to the Ford, but hasn’t been available since 2018 so you’ll be looking at older cars, and the Renault Sport Clio 220 also disappeared from price lists that year.
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You can pretty much take your pick with the Fiesta ST. It’s a car to buy on mileage and condition rather than specification, and all models use the same 1.5-litre engine so you’ll neither gain nor lose out in performance by selecting one trim level over another.
The exception here is the Performance Edition, which is worth the premium if you can find one, partly down to the unique colour it came in, and partly for its suspension upgrades that make it an even better driver’s car.
A few different trim lines came and went over the years but you’ll find most Fiesta STs in either ST-2 or ST-3 trim, as detailed below. Bear in mind that as the car was on sale for several years, later cars will have a slightly better level of equipment, as Ford generally added more kit over time. Dedicated Performance Edition models are worth keeping an eye out, featuring mechanical improvements over the standard car.
The Ford Fiesta ST’s dimensions are:
The Ford Fiesta ST’s boot size is:
With the most recent ST going on sale in 2018, a price tag well under £40,000, and a single petrol engine in the range, this section is pretty straightforward: Whatever Fiesta ST you’re looking at, you’ll currently pay £180 per year in VED.
The ST-2 and ST-3 Fiestas both sit in the same insurance group 28, while the Performance Edition raises this to group 30. For comparison, a Volkswagen Polo GTI spans groups 26-28, so costs should be similar.
Read our full Ford Fiesta ST review