The growling Fiesta ST is finally arriving in American Ford ->ke31 dealerships! After a long run-up and many tweaks to the global three-door's interior technology and body style, this five-door pocket-rocket is finally on the Ford order books with a starting price of just $21,400. A hot body kit and the 2014 Focus ST’s Rado Gray wheels with red calipers are available, as are Recaro bucket seats to keep you in place while pulling G-force in this monster go-kart.

Endlessly lauded by the English car mags, the Fiesta ST’s American debut was partially delayed by a Fiesta->ke1170-wide nose restyle and revamp for this year. The two models launch together with deliveries starting in September to Ford dealerships nationwide – and both have an EcoBoost engine option for the first time.

The base Fiesta’s turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder marks a first in this modern age of fuel economy, but still lags nearly two seconds behind the potent ST’s 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder at the drag strip.

Power is only part of the fun with this flyweight sports car->ke506 – the other half comes from its responsive cornering and impressive agility. Even the quickest luxo-barges like the Bentley Continental GT->ke401 have nothing on the Ford when it comes to transient handling dynamics – like you need on the tightest of race tracks.

In this regard the Fiesta ST is indeed the most accomplished in a U.S. market class that also includes the Chevrolet Sonic RS and the new Kia Forte5 Turbo.

Is the ST's rally styling even better in other colors? Does it even come in any colors that are not orange or red?

Continue reading for the full review of the Ford Fiesta ST – including an exclusive graphic of the ST-exclusive paint colors offered.

2014 - 2015 Ford Fiesta ST

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 - 2015 Ford Fiesta ST
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 197 @ 6000
  • Torque: 202 @ 5000
  • Transmission: 6-speed Manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

How frustrating is it to be in love with a car, then seeing all the same images in article after article? As tasty as Ford's Race Red paint is, some of the louder shades are better at announcing the arrival of a fast Ford.

The 2011 Focus RS500-inspired Kermet-the-Frog green is delicious, as is the World Rally blue shade.

Paired with the Fiesta ST's deep body kit, spoilers and painted diffuser -- even a white paint color helps the ST pop on the road. It's new nose is intimidating and visually widens the car from the front, helping to show left-lane dawdlers that you mean business.

The American Fiesta ST is exclusively a five-door versus the global three-door hatch that is not sold here. (Insert Ford Aspire joke here)

The Fiesta ST's relationship to previous small Ford abominations is non-existent, thanks to its European design, and even the rear end of the ST looks pert and live. Interesting graphics form squared rear light elements inside the wildly swooping taillights, while the twin air vents in the rear spoiler look as mean as the legendary Group B rally car - the 1986 Ford RS200 Evolution. Flattering comparisons, to be sure.

Aside from the grey wheel choice, the scope for exterior options is very limited. The car is already bursting with ST-exclusive performance enhancements, as seen in the below equipment charts.

2014 Ford Fiesta ST – Exterior Dimensions:

Wheelbase (in.)

98

Length (in.)

160.1

Width (in.)

67.8

Height (in.)

58.1

Track - Front (in.)

57.7

Track - Rear (in.)

57

Weight (Pounds)

2,742

Drag Coefficient

0.32, Est


2014 Ford Fiesta ST – Standard Exterior Features:

- ST-Exclusive 17 alloy wheels

- ST-Exclusive Mesh Grille Insert

- ST-Exclusive Fog Lamp design

- ST-Exclusive Fascias, Sills and Bumper Diffuser

- ST-Exclusive Halogen headlamps with black-surround bezel

- ST-Exclusive Twin Venter Roof Spoiler

- Solar tinted glass

- Rear windshield wiper

- Acoustic-laminate windshield

2014 Ford Fiesta ST – Optional Exterior Features:

- ST-Exclusive 17-inch Rado Gray with red brake calipers

New For 2015

The Fiesta ST carries over unchanged for the 2015 model year, receiving only one new exterior color. Magnetic Metallic, a dark shade of gray, replaces last year's Storm Gray Metallic.

Interior

The big news inside the Fiesta ST is a much higher level of overall finish and better features than are even offered on the regular Fiesta as options. These elements include the sporty standard, part-leather Recaro front buckets and a host of other handy items. An auto-dimming rearview mirror is standard, as is push-button start and a tasty leather-wrapped wheel and shifter boot.

The shifter is an oversized metallic six-speed ball with leather accents on the lower portions for cold-weather driving. This European touch adds some credibility in the cabin even without the Recaro seats.

Standard MyFord Touch infotainment nails the last question most guys will have about the ST before laughing into the sunset on a roll of turbo boost. The cabin is

notably sportier than any previous Fiesta, thanks to an engine and exhaust noise ‘sound symposer’ under the dashboard. This device basically consists of a small hole in the firewall that pipes noise into the cabin.

It works. The Fiesta ST snorts and growls much deeper than any 1.6-liter Ford engine so far, helping to enliven the experience for enthusiasts.

A practical folding back seat and good front seat room all around still doesn't hide the Fiesta's size -- the max load back there is about 26 cubic-feet below the window wells. This is small for a hatchback,->ke304 which most U.S. shoppers will know only from the huge load areas of crossovers->ke288 and SUVs.->ke145

2014 Ford Fiesta ST – Interior Dimensions:

Front Seating Capacity

2

Rear Seating Capacity

3

Headroom - Front (in.)

39.1

Headroom - Rear (in.)

37.2

Legroom - Front (in.)

42.2

Legroom - Rear (in.)

31.2

Shoulder Room - Front (in.)

52.7

Shoulder Room - Rear (in.)

49

Hip Room - Front (in.)

50.6

Hip Room - Rear (in.)

49.2

EPA Cargo Volume - Hatch Seats Up (cubic-feet)

14.9

EPA Cargo Volume - Hatch Rear Seats Down (cubic-feet)

25.4


2014 Ford Fiesta ST – Standard Interior Features:

- ST-Exclusive Cabin Engine Sound symposer

- ST-Exclusive Electrochromic auto-dimming rearview mirror

- ST-Exclusive Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start

- ST-Exclusive Leather-Wrapped and Perforated Steering Wheel

- ST-Exclusive Race-inspired aluminum pedals

- ST-Exclusive Cloth Front Sport Seat with ST Logo

- 6-way manual driver's seat, 4-way manual front-passenger seat, Front 4-way adjustable head restraints

- SYNC with MyFord Touch, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, HD Radio, Sony Branded Audio System

- Carpeted ST front floor mats Rear Carpeted Floor Mats with Embroidered ST Logo

- Unique ST logo front door sill plates

- Metallic trim on instrument panel registers, center stack and shifter bezel, Leather and Metallic Trim, Shift Knob with Metallic-Trim Insert, Chrome door release handles

- 12-volt auxiliary powerpoint – front, 12-volt auxiliary powerpoint - rear

- Automatic climate control with rear-seat air ducts

- Ford MyKey

2014 Ford Fiesta ST – Optional Interior Features:

- Heated Front Seats

- RECARO Partial Leather-Trimmed Seats in two color choices

- Power Moonroof

Drivetrain, Suspension and Brakes

The Fiesta ST is a front-drive, front-engine hatch that comes only with a six-speed manual transmission and grippy 17-inch tires. You young people who can't drive a stick shift, just stop whining and ask someone to teach you. The fundamental principles can be taught in about 30 minutes in a parking lot.

The slick six-cog shifter gives the Fiesta ST the ultra-short first few gears needed to get the turbo spooling to max boost right off the line. The Nissan GT-R employs a similar strategy to great effect.

The Fiesta ST has completely re-done suspension and handling settings, but does keep the standard Fiesta's pointy electric steering and electronic torque vectoring. The twist beam rear end is finely honed to play along well in the twisties, where its design actually makes the car's rear end more interactive and playful.

The Fiesta ST's most critical stat is a good one: 6.8 seconds to 60 mph. This is pace that Ford's sports car shoppers have never before realized from a $22,000 hatchback. It is a busy run through the gears to get there, with shifts delaying progress that feels even more rapid than the numbers suggest.

2014 Ford Fiesta ST – Mechanical Details:

Engine Size and Type

1.6-liter Turbocharged 16-valve I-4 With DOHC, Direct Injection And TI-VCT

Bore x stroke

3.11 x 3.20 in./79.0 x 81.4 mm

Displacement

97.4 cu. in./1,596 cc

Compression ratio

10.0:1

Peak power (Horsepower)

197 HP @ 6,000 RPM

Peak torque (Pound-feet)

202 LB-FT @ 5,000 RPM

Transmission

6-Speed Manual

0-to-60 mph

6.8 seconds

Top Speed (mph)

130 Limited, Est

EPA Fuel Economy MPG (City/Highway/Combined)

26/35/29


Safety

The Fiesta ST benefits from all the changes applied to the normal 2014 Fiesta, some of which improve on the small car's already-excellent safety record. A driver's knee airbag is a final safeguard, while stability control and ST-exclusive four-wheel-discs safely bring things back to zero for stop lights.

2014 Ford Fiesta ST – Standard Safety Features:

- Personal Safety System: Seven Standard Airbags Including All Row Side-Curtain Airbags, Driver’s Knee Airbag

- 3-point safety belts for all seating positions, height-adjustable retractable front outboard safety belts

- AdvanceTrac electronic stability control (ESC)

- Child-Safety Rear Door Locks

- Side-intrusion door beams

- LATCH - Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors (for child-safety seats)

- SOS Post-Crash Alert System

- Tire Pressure Monitoring System

- SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft system

- Perimeter alarm

- Remote Keyless Entry

Pricing

The Fiesta is a real performance bargain, with only a handful of options and accessories even available on this loaded hot-hatch. The Recaro seats will bring long-term comfort rewards, and some of the colors in the swatch gallery are cost extras.

For 2015, pricing starts from $20,945, which is a $7,000 premium over the base model. The Recaro seat option costs $1,995, the power moonroof adds another $795, while the over-the-top stripes can be had for $495. All told, a fully loaded Fiesta ST costs more than $27,000.

Model

MSRP

Ford Fiesta ST

$20,945


Options

ST RECARO® Package

$1,995

SYNC® Sony® Branded HD Audio and Navigation

$795

ST Protection Package

$475

Dual Portable DVD Rear-Seat Entertainment System by Nextbase®

$729

Single Portable DVD Rear-Seat Entertainment System by Nextbase®

$349

Vehicle Security System

$208

THULE® Removable Roof Rack

$535

Door-Sill Plates—Illuminated, Stainless Steel, Two-Piece Kit, With ST Logo

$195

Door-Sill Plates—Non-Illuminated, Stainless Steel, Two-Piece Kit, With ST Logo

$95

Over The Top Racing Stripes Graphic

$495

Power Moonroof

$795

17" Rado Gray Premium Painted Wheels

$375


Competition

Chevrolet Sonic RS

The Sonic RS is much more of an equipment and body kit upgrade versus the ST's comprehensive performance makeover. The RS offers only the same 140 horsepower from its top engine, leading to a sluggish sprint pace that is not able to compete the the ST.

The Sonic RS does offer a more flexible interior cargo layout with the seats folded, and a similar but less-advanced MyLink touchscreen control unit for the audio and shared-screen navigation provided by the brains of the smartphone, but controllable by the Chevy's->ke199 wheel and touchscreen. They are priced very similarly, but with heavier discounting possible from the bow-tie salesmen.

Find our more about the Chevrolet Sonic RS here.

Kia Forte5 SX Turbo

The Forte5 SX Turbo is a new contender out of left field from Kia.->ke41 As the firm tries to define its sporty credentials, the Forte5 matches the power and sprint performance of the Fiesta ST in a slightly larger vehicle package.

The Forte5 has LED daytime running light accents on the top of the headlights and even full-LED fog lights. The Turbo SX trim also comes with some premium-looking LED taillights that seem fresh out of Germany.

Read our full review of the Kia Forte5 here.

Mini Cooper S

Previously only available with three doors, the Cooper S received a five-door version with the third-generation model, which puts it right up the Fiesta ST's alley. Sure, the Mini->ke57 sits a bit higher up the premium ladder and it's as customizable as a Ferrari, but these car are almost identical performance-wise. The Cooper S uses a new 2.0-liter turbo-four that cranks out 192 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. Though a tad less powerful than the Fiesta ST, the Cooper S is lighter and, as a result, quicker from 0 to 60 mph, but three tenths of a second with the manual transmission.

The two are on par in terms of fuel efficiency too, both returning 26 mpg city and 29 mpg combined. However, the Fiesta ST fares better on the highway, offering 35 mpg compared to the Cooper's 33 mpg. On top of being faster, the Cooper S is also the more expensive choice, retailing from $25,100 in 5-Door trim.

Read more about the Cooper S in our detailed review here.

Conclusion

The Fiesta ST has an uphill battle to cultivate hot hatchback fans in the U.S., but luckily it has plenty of power to surge forwards and crest any peak. Such a potent turbocharged engine in a car weighing less than 2,800 pounds is simply a recipe for fun recognizable by any driver to grace the optional Recaro buckets of this Ford.

Some of the louder color choices are a welcome addition after getting bored with the red and orange paint colors, but the American model's loss of the European ST's LED and xenon front lighting option is a regretful change.

If that helps this little slugger to be so reasonably priced at just $22,000, so be it. Keeping them off the options list also protects the turf of the larger Focus ST, which makes the HID light option a pricey addition.

Where the Fiesta ST makes most sense versus a Focus ST is on entry price. Little separates the two in overall performance ability or driver satisfaction, which in itself is a huge achievement for the Fiesta ST.

Perhaps Ford should lure in guys to test drive the Fiesta ST and a Mustang->ke428 V-6 back to back. Among car guys with an internal G-meter, the Fiesta ST will win every time.