Dave Conole road tests and reviews the Ford Fiesta ST.
I’ve had my eye on the sporty Ford Fiesta ST for a while now and it was great to finally get the chance to try it out for a week.
Ford Fiesta isn’t normally a vehicle name that draws up feelings of sportiness and images of exciting driving characteristics, though the Fiesta ST is anything but your usual Fiesta.
Under the bonnet of the Fiesta ST is a 134kW/240Nm 1.6 litre turbocharged EcoBoost engine that is enthusiastic and free-revving. With plenty of torque and a really pleasing exhaust note, the Fiesta ST has the go to justify the models place in the respected Ford ST range.
Pumping that much power/torque through the Ford Fiesta’s front wheels should mean a whole bag of torque-steer and wheel slip, but Ford has got ahead of that by fitting a torque vectoring system that ensures power goes to the wheel with the most grip.
Take note, the Ford Fiesta ST is only offered with a manual transmission and fortunately the gearbox in the ST is a pearler, offering a pleasing short throw gear change.
The steering is direct and sensitive and this could be a turn-off for some, while the sports-tuned suspension is firm and quite unforgiving too. Having said that, most ST buyers would be disappointed with anything less than a race-car like feel.
So yes, you have to compromise on ride quality and comfort, but you don’t have to compromise on fuel economy. The combined consumption figure is a very good 6.2L/100km and I managed to do exactly that in my week of real world driving.
Inside the cabin, well to be honest I think Ford needs to put some work into giving the Fiesta, and the Fiesta ST, a new look and feel. There’s a lot of bland and hard plastics around and this lets down an interior that features Recaro seats and a really nice sports steering wheel.
Standard features in the Fiesta ST include tilt and reach steering adjustment, push-button ignition, auto headlights and wipers, voice recognition for manipulating the Sony/SYNC infotainment system and rear parking sensors.
A reverse camera and sat-nav will be features you will have to learn to live without. Paint, anything other than white, will cost you an additional $450. Staying on the outside, the Fiesta ST shows its sporty side with 17” alloy wheels, dual exhaust tips and a body-kit.
You get safety with your sport in the Ford Fiesta ST, the model comes with a maximum five-star ANCAP rating.
Summing it up; the 2015 Ford Fiesta ST is a performance bargain. It’s a ripper to look at, a hoot to drive, cheap to run and has enough on-board tech and space to prove useful to most.
The expectations were of a fun car with an interior in need of an update. Expectations met.
NUTS and BOLTS – 2015 Ford Fiesta ST
Engine: 1.6 litre turbo-petrol producing 134kW and 240Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual (only)
Safety: Five stars
Warranty: 3yrs/100,000km
Origin: Germany
Price: From $25,990
Dave Conole owns and writes the independent vehicle review and news website – A Wheel Thing.
With over 15 years of automotive journalism and reviewing experience, plus front line experience in vehicle sales, Dave is proud to be aligned with Behind the Wheel.
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