This is hands down the best review of this car on RU-vid. I watched a hell of a lot of reviews before buying mine over here in the UK in March and this popped up on my suggested today so thought I’d have a watch. Shocked to see you have 15k subs as I’ve only just stumbled across your page - you deserve far more if all of your reviews are as in-depth, professional and at the same time so very human as this one is. A great car, have loved every single moment in it so far.
Hi, So I live in switzerland. some of the best mountain passes in the world, I want a two seater but unfortunatly I have kids and a sensible wife, so I am restricted to 4 seats and "realistic". Today I test drove the fully kitted out ST on the Fridaustrasse pass in Hagendorf. not a mountain pass but enough hair pins to keep you smiling for a month. It is beyond belief how you can get from slow moving to fast moving on a steep up hill with this car. It it literally a rocket on four wheels. I am dissapointed that with all of the tech there is no adaptive cruise control as there is a sports intercooler in the place where the ACC sensor would go. The car also has wireless charging which I dont recall you mentioning but its not worth mentioning as no phone fits the area where the charger is. That said in the arm rest there is a second USB so that solves that problem if you can get your samsung s21 Ultra to fit. But lets be honest, nobody cares about stuff like that when you have a 200PS on a car that weights 1.5KG. I would be more interested to know about the varients, such as the "ST Edition" 600 only limited edition aztec blue versions. and the one that has the ST button on the steering wheel. where as on our modles we just have a "Back Button". the launch control is very much dependent on the tyres, person weight and road material. for exmple on a hot day with Pilot P4 tyres that are warmed up, with an average weighted person, on a rubber induced tarmac road, the 6.8s launch control very possible. would have been nice to see android auto on the infotainment section. In a nutshell, out of the golf GTI, the yaris GR, the civic type r, swift sport, cooper gt, i30 N concept C. this ST is the one i found to be the most fun, and hence I am ordering one. another note which you will all hate me for but will never notice, is that the steering wheel is off center due to air bag space legal reqirements, but nobody ever notices and i certainly did not today. the steering is nothing short of, ive never experianced sterring quite as good, and i have tested the ND RF MK4 MX5, the car i want but cant have, "dont have kids! or have a sensible german as a partner"
They're great to drive.. I've had mine for 3 months..in the UK we have the limited performance edition which is orange. Has adjustable coilovers. Led lights... It puts a smile on my face everytime drive it .
@@CarExpertAus no not at all. I've driven both and the suspension is much better actually. It doesn't tend to skip about as much when gunning it if there is any unevenness in the road surface. Take look at the reviews for the performance edition. Great review by the way keep up the good work and stay safe
Just ordered ST3 in performance blue but I wanted the burnt orange one. Was told by salesman that they are rarer than rocking horse poo! Hopefully pick mine at end of June and cannot wait.
@@wrathchild68 you will love it. I was so lucky to get mine and discounted heavily as had been a cancelled order .. puts such a big smile on your face every time you drive it .
Anyone watching in North America, please call or write Ford Customer Service. Tell them we want the new Fiesta ST and/or Focus ST in the U.S./Canadian market. If all their customers are telling them, they'll listen and bring us BACK these hot hatches. Thank you for your support in this petition effort!
More 'grown up' looking than the previous (MK7) generation for sure but as a young 52 year old I prefer the looks of the MK7 (and the MK3.5 Focus ST vs the MK4 also) Maybe I will grow up one day and get to like this generation of FiST and FoST more ........ maybe?
I have the ST3, a performance blue for 5 months now. The whole car is an absolute masterpiece. The only option I wish I had is the "performance pack" with the LSD and the launch control. But it was a showroom sample with a hefty discount, so I had no option to choose from, and I did not want to pay extra 7k euro for my custom specs. Either way, it is a perfect daily with a unique character, mainly in a country where there are relative low number of fiestas in general.
Hey, had the same dilema few weeks ago, could buy this brand new, or 2years old, with 20000 km i30N ať the same price... Decided to go with Ford, cause i already have another family car so dont need more practical car, and most important i can imagine how people treat these performance cars and didnt realy want to risk buy something crashed, and also with these cars you will be changing brakes and tires after 20000km so thats 2k extra
Hey Guys, liked your review. Driving my FiST now for two years and love it every day. But for the 0-100 is something important: Flat Shift. You need to stand on the gas while shifting the gears, only need to push the clutch. There are some videos on RU-vid showing that the FiST can do the 0-100 in up to 6.3 Seconds when this feature is used right. Have fun ;-)
With the WiFi connected, will it download all the latest updates when the car is off? Wouldnt want to leave the car running for 45 mins in the drive whilst everything is updating
Hi there, well done good review, i bought one in England 9 months ago ,i have jus 3000 miles on the clock courtesy of COVID ,i must say it is the best car i have ever bought,it is cheap on fuel,you ommitted to say the 3cyl engine does have cyl deactivation so i believe at 2,000 rpm approx it only runs on 2 cyls, it is so comfy and goes like shit off a shovel, in England st3 cost me £24,000 which is worth every penny, well done keep up good work bud.
Very nice review! A question: what about the noise level inside the cabin compared to e.g. a Golf GTI ? I'm sensitive to wind and tire noise, and wonder how this Fiesta ST compares to other cars on the highway, driving at 120 kilometers an hour.
G'day Paul . I was waiting for Suzuki swift sport 2 but the Fiesta ST looks light years ahead for the same money . It's test drive time. Thanks for the in-depth review..Very good..
I'd be going silver or the Ford Performance Blue. Would have to see in person to decide. Maybe that weird matte grey white they have at a stretch... but again, would have to see it. Sync 3 is good. Very simple. Just works. Apple Car Play is a must for me in a new car. I want one and will probably get one before the year is through.
That's great to hear. Yeah the blue is an awesome colour - it works really well on the FiST! And the new Sync3 software update is fantastic. They've done a ripper job with it.
Can you do a comparison of the Fiesta ST against the BRZ/ GR86? Both affordable by proper fun cars, with very different approaches! I’m interested to see your thought because I’d love to buy the new Fiesta ST, but am currently weighting up against the GR86!
This is a really good (thorough and enthusiastic (not nerdy)) review. As an owner of both a MK7 FiST and a MK3.5 FoST I am most interested to see how both this MK8 FiST (and MK4 FoST) compare for future purchases and all that! BTW I think an LSD offers improved traction but not grip - that is the job of the tyres I believe .......... Now I am off to delve into more of your reviews ........
I love like very nice good car new car 2020 Ford Fiesta st big fan of the Ford and Ford Falcon and Ford Mustang gt fastback v8 auto me at 3 year old my dad and uncle Ford man in family
Australias best reviewer. Well done mate, liking the new channel. Loved the old car but the seat bolsters were so uncomfortable so couldn't buy it, is this one much better or only slightly better to sit in for a long drive?
Thanks, mate! Really appreciate it. In terms of long distance drives, I had no issues with them. Our A45 AMG review will drop on Thursday and I spent a stack of time in that car and found the seats to be more uncomfortable in that, than they were in the Fiesta ST.
Thicc review!! We have a Ford Performance Blue FiST on order, skipped the sunroof, not really required in Darwin. Ordered personalised plates (FIST), almost didn't get those across the line, even in the NT, what is the world coming to?! First car we have ever ordered without a test drive! Have driven the FoST ST auto, nice to be sure, but didn't hit the spot. Made the decision soo easy. I'd read that the FoST (auto at least) feels caught between a muscle car and a hot hatch, after driving it, I actually agree with that. Fiesta ST it is. Delivery is scheduled for late Nov, but in all seriousness, just can't wait to have our faces light up like yours did Paul! This was the best review of this little weapon yet! Well, except the bit where you were just getting into the torque characteristics, but that steering rack slammed you again! Keep up the good work.
Lol, same. Ordered mine in Melb, around Sept 2020, without a test drive (couldn't with covid lockdowns etc). Felt like a risky thing to do - but no probs. Love mine to bits..
Nice review. Not too interested in the screen. Just want handling and cornering. Seems to deliver in spades. Not sure about LED headlights though - Ford spec sheet doesn't list them so either an error or video needs correction
Very interesting ,comprehensive and well done review! ..Here in Norway I bought a 2018 ST (3) with all the options 3 weeks ago..it is the most fun car to drive on the relatively twisty Norwegian west coast roads around here I could imagine...I have had quite a few fast cars but this is certainly the fastest point to point car I have owned and a superb compromise for anyone needing a small all rounder for daily tasks that can make you grin ear to ear out of town..best from Norway mate!
I plan on getting a blue one in about a year, hoping for a 2nd hand one with less than 30k on clock. I have an xr5 2.5 I can't justify upgrading at the moment as it still goes so well.
Just saw this review. My wife have a ST3 in the UK (almost the same spec as your test car). She loves it. The wheels are a magnet for kerbs! I take the key and just drives it at weekends with no where to go.
Great review Paul! Glad that you have your own channel with your friends. I loved your reviews on caradvice. This is a blast of a car and it is one of the best hot hatches on market but I have one question, are the seats really that tight that after a while you're feet will go numb? Also, the steering rack really poses a problem do to how fast it will come back? Lots of other reviewers complained about those 2 "issues" and I want to know your opinion also as in my area there is now ST available to test drive. 😁 Good luck with your new endeavor and keep it up as I love your style of reviews! Take care and stay safe! 👍
Thanks for joining us on the channel! We really appreciate it 😁 we spent a fair bit of time behind the wheel of this thing (Scott, who did the written review, is taller than I am) and I didn’t have any dramas with the seats. Mind you - I’d be keen to see what it’s like in peak hour traffic. That could be the deal breaker.
Love it lads! Tell me does the sync 3 customize its brightness and colour settings? My prev gen polo gti had a black background which was easy on the eyes at night and while diving. Im thinking the bright white infotainment would do my head in
Hi Paul, congratulations on the review, great, concise presentation that ticks all the boxes in terms of the attributes of this car. We bought one of the first cars in Australia in April 2020, having owned a standard Fiesta for the last 8 years. The astounding feature of this Fiesta is the torque which is seamless and in gears 2,3 and 4 seems to go on forever and really, you wonder how Ford have been able to extract so much power and torque from a 3 cylinder engine of 1500cc. We have just returned from a week driving around Tasmania on clear, uncongested roads which were ideally suited to the Fiesta's character - even though road surfaces were not exactly smooth. The car's handling was superb and you really look forward to driving in hilly country with twisty roads. The day to day liveability is also fine and the Recaro seats are firm but comfortable and really hold you in place - unless you are , shall we say, on the beefy size. Having read other reviews which complained about seat comfort after 2 hours or so , I would have to disagree, as we spent a few 5 hour+ drives and no complaints, other than getting out over the side bolsters. In fact I found the seats more comfortable than my Lexus LX 450D over long journeys. So after 10 months ownership everything is working fine with no faults and I certainly endorse your review. This such a fun and practical car and for the on roads price of around $35k is a bargain. I also understand that it is the only Ford built in Germany, so perhaps that explains the quality.
2 thumbs up for your FiST review! Don’t watch much TV but loved Car Advice with you & Trent. Both of you have awesome presentation & research skills & were so engaging. In the UK, they call the Fiesta ST & Focus ST the FiST & FoST. Bought the FiST new in 2014. Now has a Stage 2+ tune (amazing mix of power & traction). Still can’t wait to drive it EVERY day. Will probably get Mk8 FiST soon but struggling with the thought of getting rid of my Mk7...one of the most awarded & critically acclaimed cars of the past decade.
From UK and have my mk8 ST in this colour since August last year. Put triple R lower body kit on it and Maxton Design rear top lip spoiler transforms the look even better . I love this car but have just one gripe. The tyres lose grip in the UK winter months as I can spin the wheels in third gear in the wet in a straight line but it holds on quite well around bends in the wet. When I need new tyres I will get the sport 4’s which I have been told are much better. Looking at getting a Revo tune to take it to around 250-260 bhp.As standard it’s a car you push and it gives with a grin. Enjoyed the video 👍
Thanks for that info, Darren! I think the Pilot Sport 4 will be a much better tyre. They handle the wet a little better and they have loads of grip when the weather hears up. Enjoy the car!
I’m looking at buying one of these currently so I’ve been looking at loads of videos trying to find out everything I can about this car and I have to say this review is so so up there. The only thing I would say is it would be nice to get a run through on the instrument cluster but aside from that fantastic video!
Dear CE, exhaust sound's gotta be a standard section in hot hatches / cars moving forward. I mean before we're all EV, gotta savour whatever's left from the ICE generation.
Great review, thank you. I saw somewhere this car can be flat shifted which may get get closer to the claimed 0-100 time? I own the first retail registered Mk7 FiST in Australia and this vid makes me tempted to trade it in for an upgrade!
Thank you! We will definitely give that a crack next time :-D you should take one for a test drive. Actually, wait, DON'T do that. You'll end up buying it! Hah.
Loved the review, "Rally Sweden ready" was hilarious! Here in Sweden, you can sadly not get a 3 door too but I am anyways interested in buying the 5 door. Is the entertainment system responsive?
Not as responsive as I had hoped. I come from an aftermarket Alpine and I often find myself waiting for the screen to catch up with me. It's pretty minor though as I'm busy grinning while I wait. This car is so much fun.
Hey the Ford Fiesta 2022 model is a buy before you try technique and unfortunately won’t be in showrooms to see that is what my local dealer said to me
I bought the first Aussie edition released .... back in November 2013 ... Since I have a work vehicle, it was purely a recreation/shopping trolley and only did 26400Km's in the 6 years I owned it before trading it in for a 2015 Holden VF 6.0L manual ute ... I bought the ute for 2 reasons - The primary reason was that the ute was something that I had wanted for a while (although it was my auto technician that suggested the V8 over the 6 - for reliability reasons). The secondary reason I picked the ute was because of the ST's pricing point. I bought the original with a full matching spare alloy and tyre, window tint and 12 months licensing for $28500 ... As far as I'm concerned as soon as you push the purchase price beyond that $30K mark ... you head firmly OUT of the "Hot Hatch" segment ... and into either the "Performance Hatch" segment or the "Luxury Hatch" segment ... The mantra for a hot hatch should always be fun at en extremely low price point. If I could pick one of these up for $30K drive away, with the same spec as the last one - I'd bite the bullet ... but they were talking figures of $34-$35K ... and at that pricing point - I probably go with a 2YO used VW Golf Gti. Is it good bang for buck? - Probably - It's certainly more refined ... But I believe that with all of that refinement, the trade off is what makes a hot hatch ... a hot hatch - Rawness!
@@CarExpertAus ... Thanks! ... I probably should have said this FIRST ... But: Great review!! Honestly- I like that an Aussie is giving honest, no BS, reviews on Aussie cars.
Ford makes great cars. But none of them makes it to the Indian market. Ford currently has only 5 cars in India and of all the brands available, it is the only manufacturer that offers the cheapest, durable, safest and fun to drive cars. People don't buy here in India because they think that it doesn't look good. They chase the 'mileage and looks', ignoring the 'drivability and handling'. I would be the first one to buy, if Ford launches Fiesta in India
I know I'm a bit off topic but Paul, will we ever get the normal model of the New Fiesta 'cause my niece had her's written off by hail damage & she won't go for a sports model, just a nice new Fiesta with all the 'bells & whistles' BUT no way will she go for a sport's model.
@@CarExpertAus Well. Paul. To my surprise, my relative actually bought a new ST just last month! (ps. not only blokes love hot hatches apparently. pps. she got a blue ST which was her first choice)
I test drove a 2020 model today and bought it. It is an amazing car but getting harder to find for sale. So much fun, even when you aren't driving it hard. It's the Performance Blue. BTW, I must've watched this video 5 times. Thank you for your comprehensive reviews.
Drove one today. It‘s quick but it’s missing the sensation of low end torque, and not overly responsive IMO. In today’s climate with our overzealous police, a punchy low end is about all you can enjoy. Corners very well but I’d rather take my MX-5 around a corner. I think it’s a great little car but like the swift sport, very hyped, I need to drive a polo gti.
