Is the Ford Fiesta ST reliable?

Yes, the Fiesta ST is generally quite reliable, but check carefully for signs of accelerated wear and tear from trackday use, or just general on-road abuse, and beware the ‘wet belt’ cambelt of the 1.5-litre engine.

Does the Ford Fiesta ST have a turbo?

Yes, it does. The Fiesta ST’s 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine is turbocharged to produce 200hp.

How fast is the Ford Fiesta ST?

The Fiesta ST can accelerate from 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds, and has a top speed of 143mph.

How many Ford Fiesta STs were made?

Ford doesn’t break down its Fiesta production numbers by individual models, but the Fiesta ST was a regular version, and not a limited edition, so many tens of thousands were sold across the UK and Europe. The only limited models were the ST Edition — of which only 300 were made — and the Performance Edition, of which only 600 were made.

Is the Ford Fiesta ST front-wheel drive?

Yes, the Ford Fiesta ST is front-wheel drive. There was never a four-wheel drive option.

Should I buy a Ford Fiesta ST?

You absolutely should. The Fiesta ST is one of the landmark hot hatches of the past decade, and while it doesn’t have the sophistication of the Polo GTI nor Mini Cooper S, it’s more fun than either of them.

What engine is best in the Ford Fiesta ST?

The best of the Fiesta ST engines is the 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo — the 91-CID engine code — used in the final Fiesta ST produced up to 2023. It’s revvy, noisy, and very powerful and has 200hp compared to the 190hp of the previous 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine.

What insurance group is the Ford Fiesta ST in?

The Fiesta ST varies from Group 25 to Group 30, depending on the specification.

What is the Ford Fiesta ST Performance Pack?

The Fiesta ST Performance Pack was an option pack for the Fiesta ST which came with a Quaife limited-slip differential, which helps the front tyres find more grip in a corner, as well as a launch-control system for ultimate 0-60mph times, change-up lights for the gear shift, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Limited-run Performance Edition models got all that as standard, plus a bright orange colour scheme.

Which Ford Fiesta ST trim is best?

ST-3 is the best Fiesta ST spec to track down, as it comes with sat-nav, LED headlights, digital instruments, and a reversing camera.

Will the Ford Fiesta ST be a classic?

Definitely. The Fiesta ST will go down in history as one of the most enjoyable hot hatches of all time.

Used Ford Fiesta STcars for sale

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Used Ford Fiesta ST pros and cons

Superb fun on a twisty road
Alternatives are more practical
Good standard equipment
Large alloy wheels highlight bumps
Reasonably cheap to run
Doesn't look distinctive enough

Is a second hand Ford Fiesta ST a good car?

There’s always been something of a magic about the best hot Fords, and the Ford Fiesta ST is right up there with the very best fast cars from Dagenham (even if it was actually built in Spain. Shhh!).

The Fiesta doesn’t look wildly different on the outside to your gran’s 1.1 Titanium model, and that’s true of the Fiesta’s cabin, too. There’s a lot to like in here, from ultra-grippy bucket front seats (which can be a bit pinchy for larger drivers) to a flat-bottom steering wheel.

There’s a choice of three-door and five-door models, with the five-door being the more practical. There’s enough space in the back — just — for two adults.

In terms of boot space, the Fiesta has more room than a Mini, but less than the VW Polo. It’s good enough for a Saturday ‘big shop’ but not the biggest boot around.

If the boot’s underwhelming, what’s under the bonnet is anything but. The Fiesta ST uses a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine tuned to provide a whopping 200hp. This is still a properly quick machine, and it performs with an orchestral percussion section’s worth of pops and bangs when you lift off the throttle. Childish? Yes. Fun? Absolutely.

The Fiesta ST does have selectable driving modes, allowing you to pick from easy-going settings for the engine and steering, or something a bit more sporty. Sports mode sharpens everything up, and the Fiesta ST is truly thrilling to drive, with super-sharp steering and agility, helped by a system that brakes the inside front wheel to turn the nose tighter into a corner — just like a McLaren supercar.

What to look for when buying a used Ford Fiesta ST

With it being a hot hatch and often used as a track-day car, you’ll want to check any potential Fiesta ST purchase over carefully for signs of abuse. Look at the tyres, checking for uneven wear that could indicate damaged steering or suspension, while exhaust gas that’s very dark on a cold start could indicate an engine that’s been thrashed. Rumbly or grinding brakes are a bad sign, too.

The 1.5-litre engine also suffers from the same ‘wet belt’ issue as the smaller 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, where the cambelt passes through the engine’s oil supply, which can lead to premature belt wear, as well as block oil channels in the engine.