Powertrains: Turbocharged 1.6-liter I-4, 197 hp, 214 lb-ft; six-speed manual, FWD
EPA Fuel Economy (city/hwy, est.): 27/34
What's New: The 2014 Ford Fiesta ST, like the Focus ST, brings a bit of performance to one of Ford's everyday lines. Developed in conjunction with Ford's European RS and USA SVT teams, the Fiesta ST comes with the punchy 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine with direct injection and twin variable cam timing, plus an overboost feature. Other notable additions include larger vented front disc brakes and rear disc brakes, with the latter making their first appearance in a Fiesta.
Tech Tidbit: Enhanced Torque Vectoring Control (eTVC) aids high-speed cornering by applying brake torque to the inside front wheel during intense turns. That reduces understeer by helping to control the Fiesta ST's yaw rate. ETVC is an updated version of the Torque Vectoring Control unit seen in Ford's Focus ST.
Driving Character: Fun. The steering setup isn't quite as advanced as that in the Focus ST, and the Fiesta does have a twist-beam axle out back. But with the Fiesta ST's modified front knuckles (providing more camber) and a well-damped suspension, you don't miss the more sophisticated steering and multilink rear suspension on the Focus. Mashing the gas engages the overboost function (21 psi from the little turbocharger) for 20 seconds, and the Electronic Stability Control has three modes: one to keep the driver fully on top of things, one that allows some tail-out action by jumping in later, and one in which the stability control is off completely.
Favorite Detail: Overboost is designed to throw 20 to 21 psi of boost into the engine for up to 20 seconds at a time. But intentionally or not, Ford gave Fiesta ST drivers a bit of a loophole. After hitting the gas to enact overboost, you can back off for a second, then jump right back into a new 20-second allowance. You can essentially run the 2014 Fiesta ST as hard as you can for as long as you want.
Driver's Grievance: The rear beam axle in the European Fiesta ST (a three-door version that won't be sold in the U.S.) we drove smooth alpine roads with aplomb, but it remains to be seen how the axle will respond to rougher American roads. This is not a performance issue, but the brightly colored stitching in the Recaro seats is a little loud-maybe even enough to discourage spending the extra $2000 for the interior package that includes them. The artificial intake noise from the "sound symposer" is a little lame, but it's hard to avoid this trend at the moment.
Bottom Line: The 2014 Ford Fiesta ST is an excellent hot hatch. In its best moments it rivals performers as strong as Mini's John Cooper Works model, and with the five-door layout, it should be more practical than the Mini or Fiat's 500 Abarth. Anyone looking for a small car with usable space and a heaping helping of driving excitement needs to drive this Ford.
The biggest downside of the 2014 Fiesta ST actually comes from within the Ford Family: The hot-rod Fiesta is close in price to the Ford Focus ST (the Focus costs just two grand more), and as good as the Fiesta ST is, the Focus ST is that much better. If either ST model interests you, drive both and follow your heart. You can't go wrong with either one.
Base Price: $22,195
Competitors: Mini Cooper S, Hyundai Veloster Turbo, Chevrolet Sonic RS, Fiat 500 Abarth
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