Glance down any list of hot hatchback cars and superminis during the past five decades, and Ford's beloved Fiesta is always in the mix. But what is it about these zippy little wonders that stands out to us?
Lightweight, quick, stylish, and ever the modding-friendly auto, the Ford Fiesta ST will forever be on our list of favorite superminis. With the recent announcement from Ford that they will be retiring the Fiesta from the European market in favor of putting their energy towards electric vehicles, we couldn't help but show the little lightning bolt Fiesta some love.
We won't lament too much about the upcoming loss of the Fiesta. After all, production won't cease until mid-2023, allowing us a few months to grab one of our own before the used auto market has its way with them.
The Ford Fiesta ST deserves a tribute to the best of our abilities, so let's dive in and explore what we love about the Fiesta, and why it will always be a favorite supermini to us.
What Is A Supermini?
Cars are "superminis" when they are small, yet a blast to drive – while remaining economical. Many consider hot hatches to be superminis. You'll find the term "supermini" used more commonly in Europe or the UK. In America, usually the word "supermini" can account for subcompact cars. Think of a supermini as bridging the gap between a smaller city car and a larger hatchback.
Other cars in the supermini or subcompact category that keep the Ford Fiesta ST company are cars such as the Toyota Yaris, Scion xD, Mazda2, and the Honda Fit. In the late 2010s, car manufacturers began shying away from superminis and subcompact cars, instead focusing more on crossovers and subcompact SUVs. This meant that many superminis have since been mostly discontinued in the US. While we won't find a new subcompact Mazda 2 at an American dealership anytime soon, we can still appreciate the best of what the supermini car genre has to offer – most notably, the Fiesta ST.
Superminis make sense for a lot of gearheads. Sure, there may be less passenger or storage space than a larger vehicle, but superminis such as the Ford Fiesta ST are easy to drive and park, affordable, and sprightly – making them a ton of fun.
What's To Love About The Ford Fiesta ST
The Ford Fiesta may have initially seen its introduction in America, but it wasn't until the year 2014 that brought it back stateside -ready to conquer the asphalt once again.
The engine powering the Ford Fiesta is a 197 horsepower 1.6-liter eco-boosted engine with lots of pep. In more recent model years, the Fiesta ST had a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine. A little different, yes, but hear us out. A turbo three-cylinder engine under the hood makes this car seriously thrilling to drive.
The design elements that constitute the Fiesta ST are the perfect give and take between sleek and sporty. Having a hatchback body style gives more cargo room than similar cars in the supermini sect. In our eyes, hatchbacks will never go out of style.
The body style of the Ford Fiesta ST went through subtle changes throughout its reign as hot hatch royalty. And the interior really shines over the various iterations of the ST – if you're looking for a sporty interior in your subcompact, this is it. You can often find Recaro sports seats in the Fiesta ST, really honing in on the aspects that make it so much fun to be behind the wheel of this car.
The Ford Fiesta ST backs up its spry driving dynamics with decent fuel economy. You can expect to get around 29 miles per gallon combined both city and highway driving. You won't find that kind of efficiency in most newer sports cars, we are sorry to say. Not only that, but you're sure to get a lot of bang for your buck if you are in the market for a Fiesta ST to call your own.
It's Always A Party, With The Fiesta
The nimbleness and agility of the Ford Fiesta ST is a part of what makes it both charming and exhilarating. Think race car thrills, at a fraction of the price.
In many ways, the Ford Fiesta ST just feels like the perfect supermini. Suspension and weight that are wonderfully balanced to support a comfortable ride when the situation calls for it, yet you will also be able to get sporty with it. The Fiesta ST grips the pavement with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, which are just right, letting you play a bit with sharp corners and curves.
Even though we would consider the Ford Fiesta ST an economy subcompact car, Ford does not skimp on anything when it comes to build quality. Poorly fitting plastic has no place in the Fiesta ST, which is what makes this a great little car.
So, we say goodbye to the production of any future Ford Fiestas from now on. You will still be able to get your hands on a Ford Fiesta ST of your own in the used car space, which, we feel, is a fitting way to honor such a distinguished yet sporty hot hatch.