Ford Fiesta ST vs Toyota GT86 | evo TRACK BATTLE 

This video was one of the reasons that i bought the ST... A friend of mine has the GT86 but i love both!

With a few years on the clock now, both cars are very attractive on the used market. In my experience (as a Fiesta owner) modifications that you might find on a used example can transform both cars. On the GT86, the OEM tires were not performance-oriented. Low grip means fun slides but lower lap times. Adding performance rubber and upgraded shocks means that the lower, RWD car will crush the Fiesta in the corners, you can't overcome the fact that the FiST is a taller hatch. On the other side of the coin, the Fiesta responds well to engine upgrades. A simple tune with an intake can add up to another 100ft/lb of torque and push HP well over 200hp to the wheels. The FiST will walk away from the GT86 down the straights. At extreme modification levels, one is a 2-door, low-slung RWD performance coupe and the other is a FWD economy car hatchback, so with an unlimited budget the GT86 will ultimately outperform. Interestingly, both will carry a set of 4 tires to the track, so you can't go wrong in either.

I own one of these, test drove both, and would be a proud owner of either one. Phenomenal cars.

Not strictly relevant, but am I the only person who thinks he looks like David Cameron crossed with Mike Brewer?

These are easily two of the best performance values on the market--you can't really go wrong with either car, and maybe having both would be the perfect Jalop garage. Cheap to own, cheap to drive, and loads of easy fun. Both have heritage and pedigree--the Fiesta from Ford's storied efforts in rallying, all the way back to the days of the Sierra and Escort, and now its Fiesta WRC--and the GT86 obviously to the Trueno/Levin AE86 and Sports GT. I chose the Fiesta ST, but mostly because the GT86 is impractical as your only car, especially in a snowy climate--and it has no room for stuff. Do see myself owning one in the future though.

The Fiesta ST in total perfection!!! Want to take mine to the track ASAP!!!

Had a GT86. Now gonna get a Fiesta ST. Life really is too short.

Oh and my 370kw F6 Typhoon (also track driven) proves that you can have 500+hp but when the car weighs 1900kgs with driver, you really do appreciate "lightness!" But when on an Aussie country road about to overtake a road train, give me the 370kw back! Unfortunately, no car does it all. Buy one, drive it for a year, then sell it and by another one. That's the way to keep the lead in your pencil!

this is the first guy who's said the fiesta st doesn't grip well enough. lol

man if i felt any of my wheels come off the floor id shit bricks

GT86 is made for drifting and fun, not for lap times. If you want a good lap time just put some performance tires instead of these "Prius" tires and it will be at least 2 seconds faster per lap

Love ST!

The GT86 certainly lives up to Keiichi's Tsuchiya's saying "I drift not because it is a quicker way around a corner but the most exciting way."

Toyota 86, best car to drive! Now have both 86 and ST and I would still choose to drive the 86. The ST is definitely a hot hatch and it is nice driving a turbocharged car but not as fun as 86.

I did check the Autocar's list the best lap times and guess what? Nissan 370Z (1:30.3) only 0,1s better! Fiesta ST (1:30.4) Ford Focus RS (Mk2) (1:30.8) Toyota GT86 (1:31.6) Renaultsport Clio 200 Cup (1:31.9) VW Golf GTI (Mk6) (1:32.4) ...I am very impressed If this car has only 182hp (200 with overboost function)

The german Car Magazine "SportAuto" had testing the GT86 with the two different factory tires: 1. The Micheilin primacy HP and 2. the Bridgestone Potenza (both 215/45 R17). With Potenza's he was 2,1 sec. faster. (1.19,4) @ small Hockenheim. And after 10.000 Km the car has more power. The BRZ has stiffer rear Springs.

Thank you EVO !! I was curious thinking about the Fiesta ST vs BRZ or GT86. Because they weight about the same. But the Fiesta ST has more Torque and it's a great drivers car. I am shocked by the results of this comparo. I would have never thought that the ST would be in the same universe with the GT-86 or BRZ. They are great purpose built lightweight RWD cars and the ST is a modified FWD Fiesta. I cannot believe the ST was faster despite all of it's disadvantages. Thank You EVO !

Just the sound of the boxer engine of the Toyota is enough to make it the nicer car. Its sounds sweet and is massive fun to drive.

3:39, the put the interior of the GT86 on the Focus ST review.

- The reason they don't use the same tires is because they're comparing the cars in stock form. I don't think many people want to buy a new car and then spend $1,000 on new tires. - Not bad for his first time driving the Fiesta. He'd probably get quicker with more seat time. - If oversteering == fun, looks like both cars are pretty fun. - I also tend to find winning == fun.

really nice man for reviews

I think on maybe better tyres. The ST could have been even quicker. There's no other "classic formula" hot hatch aside from the RS or Clip Cup (FWD/Turbo) that handles as well as the MK7 ST. It'll appreciate in value. Most also won't use these on a track, so do slight track handling lapses really matter? While the GT86 looks very fun also. The ST also has more room to put luggage or carry things if you want to use it as a normal fiesta. ST also cheaper. But the GT86 still a fantastic car. Very beautiful design. I would buy one if they were cheaper.

A car comparison in the UK without it raining! Amazing!

excellent review

have owned a GT86 and now have a Fiesta ST, have to totally agree in the fun vs pace equation... saying that I am probably having more fun now in the ST than when I had the GT86 as I am less worried about getting an ASBO on my daily commute! :D

perfect video for me. I just came back from a Gt86 test drive and later this week I go for a drive in a Fiesta ST. Can't decide which one to buy

Seems like both cars need a better set of OEM tires.

I love drifting it. I learned to drift in a 1963 Rambler Classic back in the early 70's. It took gravel...

Nice buy! I'm looking forward to my first winter with my BRZ :) I bought some steel rims with Blizzak tires but I also have a set of rims/tires from my old sit with some (not exactly legal) snow/ice tires, just in case we have another snowmeggedon!

You can really drive!🤙🏼 subbed!

Yup, ford is giving me a set on steelies thankfully! its snowing here already so I could definitely use them! pick it up tomorrow!

Did anyone else notice the sweet if the gt86 interior when they started to introduce the fist?

Good video, Mr Cameron ;-)

I love my 86 to bits! it ain't fast. actually it ain't anywhere near fast. But it is the most fun car to drive I have ever driven. You can get the tail out in 1st at 40 kph and hold it! And that is why I have a GT86 and not a Fiesta ST!

With just a intake, intercooler and tune you have a 13 second car with a ST. All bolt-on's and cheap. You can get a .8 second faster quarter mile time with just a tune.

I can easily beat the time of 1:31 of the GT86 with the same car, it can do much better than this and we all know that...!

put decent tyres on gt86 and then time it's lap.

It is wonderful that you get to drive the car to its limits. We can only do that here on the track or closed off road events. It is sweet that there is no speed limiter on the GT86.

Really like these 2 cars! Probably my favourites at the moment. Fun, decent MPG, nice looking, etc. If i could pay the extra cash, live with 2 real seats, a sports car experience -> GT86 If money is tight, the extra seats are needed or a good plus (for friends, etc) and still want a car that can make me smile -> Fiesta ST

Fun comparo! Even though the presenter didn't seem to be very skilled, it shows what normal people like you and I can get out of the little cars.

Can someone explain to me why they give it the sweet exhaust in Europe and why we got those little ones on our first generation?

So EVO, It has been a while since this epic duo battled it out, and now both of them has a new generation, and both seems to have significantly improved. So, when are we able to see the comparison of the latest Ford Fiesta ST vs Toyota GR86? I am sure a lot of people like myself are interested in learning about which one of the two is the better entry level sportcar. In fact, O am trying to decide on which one I should spend my money one. I know you guys always have be best review, and exciting comparison. So when are we able to see the latest version of evo TRACK BATTLE/comparison ?

2017 Fiesta ST, original owner w now 147k. No problems at all

How do you like them? Did your gas mileage go down at all? I ran them on my Celica and they were wonderful.

Came back to this video after having owned a focus st and then bought a fiesta st after test driving it and a brz. The fiesta st is now gone and I’m considering a brz. Modified they will be close as far as straight line speed with the st probably just edging it out with torque, however the brz can fit a lot more tire underneath and can make up for that. Going to be picking up one come summer time I think.

It's really easy to do in the 86 though! If you have big, wide feet, I would recommend wearing tapered shoes like the ones you wear with a suit. It makes a huge difference! I'm 6'3 and I weigh 125kgs and my feet are size 14 but the 86 still accommodates me sufficiently, even with helmet! Well done Toyota/Subaru!

Had a drive of the US Fiesta ST last weekend. Urgent is a perfect word for it. It was so much fun. I'm a RWD guy, but I want one of those BAD

The review reminds me of the Playboy magazine comparison of the Vega to the Pinto back in the day. They tested a base model Pinto with those skinny tires to a Vega GT with those "wide oval" tires with tread that had been ground down specifically for the track. Guess which one won. :-D It would be fun to do this same test and only mod the Toyota with actual "performance" tires, even on the same rims.

That Fiesta has gotta be great fun. All that torque in such a little car.

Currently shopping for both of these cars or a honda fit, so glad they're fairly affordable now!

Correct. I switched immediately to Bridgestone RE050A - a difference like day and night.

What is the track that starts at 25s? It's the same one used on an older /DRIVE video a few years back

Thinking about the GT86 as my next car, replacing a 2006 MR2. Speed and acceleration is not very important as I have a motorbike for that.

Interesting comparison

I wish we had the two door in the states!

No way that gt86 rwd is more fun. And not bad time for first time in a fist.

anyone else notice the error? In the photo montage of the Fiesta ST, the shot of the gearbox is actually of the GT86 and not the fiesta....

Is Evo going to test the GT86/BRZ with good tyres? Did you lap Leichtfield BRZ perhaps?

dream to have a fiesta!

Well done Dickie... Hugely informative on many pertinent points and also entertaining - your expression @ 1:40 was good for a quick laugh and set the tone for a fun vid to come.. cheers ;)

To be honest, I'm not surprised the Fiesta won. Blyton Park is a tight track, we've raced there. FWD isn't slower than RWD, it's just some prefer it and are better with it. Personally, I prefer FWD.

Do you mind telling me which model of tyres you use?

Thank you, I didn't know :)

Does anyone know what the track playing at 4:00 is? Sounds like an all night 6am Berghain job

"I can mod my 86 to turn heads and smoke this ST" You can mod ANY car to be as fast or as head turning as you want to be. Hecks sake I could install a twin-turbo in an ST and be right up with +1000hp GT-R's, or draw party's with a BOSE 7-speaker set up in the back of the hatch.If you got the 💰, then you can make any car you want it to be.

the Fiesta ST2 fully specked up comes in at £19k ish, where as the GT86 with all the trimmings is close on £29k.... hardly the same price bracket! I got my GT secondhand after trying both, it is a far more fun and involving drivers car than the Fiasco, it is more expensive even 2nd hand compared to a new Fiesta but the feeling you get driving it is worth the extra cost imo. On track it needs wider and more sticky tyres to go fast, but as it is I prefer fun over fast! :-)

I love both of these cars

When did David Cameron do test drives?? :P

like your hoodie, where can we get it?

I would like to see these cars lap on identical tires. That way it is a non-factor.

Just put right tires on a86, not the original tires made for drift and you will let the st far behind

Drum and Bass at 4:27! Anyone have a track name for this song? Great review for stock tires.

I know, I did not even finish watching this review. We are not alone.

GT86 isn't a car for performances. Not for drag-race, not for races, not for going fast in straight.. it's a care FOR PLEASURE, and for that,n that's probably the best car you can drive. You can watch any GT86/BRZ/FRS review and you'll ALWAYS see a smile on the driver's face ! I own one since 2013 and I'm happy each and every time I drive it, whatever the reason to drive is.

Surprised looking back at how most jurnos were unaware of the ST 25bhp 12 second power boost in 3rd, to 6th.

I found this video fascinating. I watched the driver's response as he drove the two cars. In which car was he most enjoying himself? The answer says it all.

I want to see what happens when they put some grippy tyres on the 86. Will it punch above it's power-weight ratio then?

Cause its made for fun. For drift and touge. Best 200 hp car.

Live in ohio and plan on picking up up soon too. Cleveland winters are a bitch. you plan on getting a set of steels with winters on them?

Why show the GT86 interior during a reel of ST shots??

They set the car up, that if you do care about track times, all you gotta do is throw on some sticky rubber, with a trunk just large enough to hold 4 wheels and a jack. The people hating on its time should realize that. There have been videos that prove this, with awesome track times

with those tires made for a prius (thereby sacrifising grip for less rolling resistance), harder than you think, probably impossible

As they say, on the track it's the performance that matters... but at the end of the day... it's the looks that matters :) fiesta owner here, I would admire the looks of 86.. it reminds me of AE86 reincarnation.

yes, the car met every expectation. the fuel efficiency is awesome but the cabin noise at highway speeds is a little unbearable

very nice! great cars.

Not driven either of these,but there was only really one car screeching it’s tyres in every bend even the slight bends !

Dicky Meaden is a great driver, no question about that - we also started shooting car reviews with a driver with true racing pedigree.

So...which one would be the better daily driver?

Things that go vroom....

Those Prius tires on the GT86 are pretty bad around a track... Also the FIesta has less weight at 1088kg vs the 1200kg of the GT86.. Yes there is not much torque in the GT86 as it is a square (86/86) NA 2.0 liter engine and it has a critical torque dip centered at 4000 rpm.. The new mazda mx5 with its lower weight and longer stroke inline 4 though down on HP feels more powerfull than the GT86 due to a much more linear torque band with max torque at 4600 rpm where th h GT86 makes most of its torque at 6000 rpm.

To me, stable means that it stays composed even with a measly 150lb/ft of torque.

nice video :)

Pure Pleasure on his face :-)

It's David Cameron PM doing a car review.

Surely though when you stick the same tyres on to the Fiesta ST the gap will remain the same?

I think that is exactly it. It is a very specialized car.

what car do you drive ?

very hard to beat; on a race track that allows you to go sideways in all corners

As a GT86 owner, I have to say that the Fiesta certainly offered itself up as a tempting proposition. However, I could not get over its cheap looking interior, and mainly the econobox fish mouth looks. At the end of the day, if I can't look back at my car and think that it looks good, that means something. I still wonder if it's not the better car of the two, though.

Music/Song at 3:50 onwards?