Ford Fiesta ST > Reviews (17)

When my finances took a turn for the better, the first thing on my shopping list was a new car. I have owned a limited number of small hatchbacks, though they have all had small engines (1.1-1.2 litre). I wanted something with a bit more power and I immediately narrowed my search down to a very select few models. With my budget in mind and my requirements being met I decided to take the plunge and treat myself.

The car

Ford have been making the Fiesta since 1976, so it is clear to see that they have had success. The Fiesta has always been a popular choice, with its compact proportions and range of engines. The MK1 first came to the market in 1976, with the MK5 version I own being introduced in 2005. Officially, the 'MK5' was released in 2002 (-2008), but in 2005 a 'MK5 face lift' was to replace the original MK5, with a number of changes to the front of the car and interior. The Fiesta ST was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2004, so there are a number of 'ST's' around with the 'pre-face lift' styling.

The Ford Fiesta ST is the performance model of the MK5 Fiesta. It features a 2.0 litre Duratec petrol engine, producing 150BHP. With quite a decent amount of power coming from such a small car it was obvious that the 'ST' was to be branded a 'hot hatch'.

Cost and availability

There are around 15,000 Ford Fiesta MK5 'ST's' around at the moment, so I would say they are reasonably easy to get hold of. Unfortunately - due to the specification, they can be a little harder to find in top condition, with a lot being abused by a heavy right foot.

A quick look online reveals you can buy a Ford Fiesta ST for around the £2,500 mark, though for this money you are likely to have to settle for a pre-face lift model on a '54' or '05' plate. It would also be reasonable to assume the mileage to be higher than average, though you do get what you pay for. If you have slightly deeper pockets then you can pick up an '07' plated ST with under 50k on the clock for £5,000. This is exactly what I did, and I would certainly say it is worth spending more and getting something that bit more special. For this kind of money you can expect a car in better condition (due to age) and also to have been looked after more respectfully.

My 'ST'

I paid £5,000 for my 'ST' and I ended up with a 2007 'face lift' model with just 46,000 miles on the clock. I think this is very reasonable, though the seller also had a similar ST available with just 31,000 miles on the clock. I chose this car though due to the colour, and I would definitely say that Performance Blue is the most attractive of the lot. As this is the top model in the Fiesta MK5 range you do get a number of additions to the Fiesta in standard form. Firstly, you get a body kit which not only looks great, but it is also not too overpowering and I think it is quite subtle. The kit includes a rear spoiler and in addition to this you are also given 17" alloy wheels as standard. The ST also has body coloured door handles and bump strips, along with matching front and rear bumpers.

My ST has got half leather seats, with the ST logo stitched in them towards the top. The cloth on my seats is blue to match the paintwork, with black leather finishing off the look. One thing I particularly like about the dashboard is its colour. The blue dashboard adds a further splash of colour, and the smart layout of the controls means navigating them is simple.

My experience

If you are wanting a 'daily driver' and cover a lot of miles then the ST is unlikely to be the car for you. I return roughly 33MPG, though this can vary depending on how heavy I am with my foot. If I drive sensibly then I can achieve up to 40MPG, though this isn't what the ST is all about. This is a 'hot hatch', and so the engine is set up to be brisk, and I get the feeling that the car always wants to accelerate (!).

Performance is one of the main considerations I made when choosing the Fiesta ST over other cars. With a 0-60 time of 7.9 seconds, this will immediately launch you among the faster end of the latest 'hot hatches' on the market. The Fiesta MK5 ST is probably one of the last of the breed of hot hatches to have a 'Naturally Aspired' engine. A lot of the performance hatches we see today come with a smaller engine and a turbo. This is another of the reasons I were drawn to the MK5 ST.

Handling is one of the other key points I considered, and this is where the Fiesta ST really does impress me. I have driven the Renaultsport Clio, though found it to handle very loosely, and the build quality was also less than impressive. I wouldn't say I have had any bad experiences with French cars, but I felt the build quality is much more assured with the Ford brand. The test drive did impress me, with a quick burst through winding country roads. The car sticks to the road like glue, though you do need to be careful at first due to the amount of power under the bonnet.

The performance throughout the rev range means that no matter what situation you are in, you will have acceleration on tap. Whether you are traveling at 60MPH on the motorway and want to speed up, or if you want to beat those lights before they turn red. The power is quite addictive, and with a 2 litre Duratec engine in such a tiny and light car it isn't surprising how quick it accelerates. It is also impossible to forget the kind of car you are in. As soon as you turn the key you are met with a pleasing burble from the exhaust. As the power is NA it is immediate and there is no lag or wait for the 'v-tech' to kick in.

To say I am pleased with the responsiveness of the engine and handling would be an understatement. As I love driving the car so much I also find it great that I enjoy my surroundings too. Everything on the dashboard is well constructed and robust. There are three stalks on the steering wheel, controlling (almost) everything but the lights. These are controlled using the switch on the dashboard to the right of the steering wheel. This took me a little while to get used to, though I now prefer this setup than the lights being controlled by the stalks.

The steering wheel is one minor irritation. Although it is covered in leather I did expect it to be a bit beefier, though this isn't a major issue and I have got used to it.

Other points

The body kit and 17" alloy wheels really do set the car apart from the standard Fiesta MK5. The face-lift model has different headlights, with a curvy shape adding to the already sexy lines of the bodywork. The dashboard is also much improves, with a one-piece double-din CD player. There isn't a great deal of room in the back of the car, though this is to be expected in any small hatchback. I don't usually have passengers in the rear of the car, though I wouldn't say the space is inadequate. The boot is fairly spacious. This is where the space-saver spare wheel is kept. I do wish manufacturers would return to supplying a full-sized spare wheel, though I think it is to save on both weight and cost.

It would be fair to say that the ST also has many of the modern refinements you would expect with a car of this age. There is a quick clear windscreen, and
electric windows and mirrors. The sporty half-leather seats are fully adjustable, both in height and position. The trip computer keeps me informed of the economy, and I do like the one touch indicators which are most useful for motorway driving. Power steering is obviously present, and for the rear passengers we have 3 3-point seat belts. The headrests for rear passengers can be a nuisance when reversing, though I soon got used to the fairly limited rear visibility.

Final thoughts

I think it is fairly obvious that I am going to recommend this car. It depends what your circumstances are, though if you are looking for a small and fun car then the Fiesta ST could well be for you. The robust construction and precise handling ability earns the Ford Fiesta MK5 ST the full 5 stars. Yes, there are a few annoying things I have found, though these are to be expected with any car you buy. The production of the 'ST' finished in 2008 with the introduction of the new model Fiesta. This means that there are bargains to be had in terms of price.