Skip advert
Advertisement

Ford Fiesta ST 5-door review

A new Fiesta ST is on the way but that hasn't stopped the current model gaining an extra pair of doors to help with the run-out...

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Ford Fiesta
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

There’s no doubt that the addition of two extra doors makes the Ford Fiesta ST an even easier car to live with, but for many, the £585 premium will be better spent on the coveted Mountune MP215 upgrade instead. The ST remains a fine hot hatch thanks to its eager engine and excellent handling – and there’s no doubt its forthcoming replacement will have a tough challenge to top it.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Ford Fiesta ST has been one of our favourite hot hatches ever since it first arrived in 2013. But an all-new model has now been revealed, boasting 197bhp from a three-cylinder turbocharged engine. It’ll go on sale in 2018.

Despite this, a five-door version of the current feisty Fiesta has just been added to the range, designed to aid accessibility. Styling may be subjective, but we’ve driven it to see if the added practicality is worth the extra outlay. 

• Best hot hatchbacks on sale right now

Visually, the five-door ST appears to ticks all the hot hatch boxes – with the same flared wheelarches, 17-inch alloy wheels, aggressive looking front and rear bumpers, rear spoiler and a black honeycomb-style grille as the standard car.

The entry-level ST has been discontinued, too, with the range now comprising just ST-2 and ST-3, as well as the limited run (three-door only) ST 200. However, while ST-2s previously benefitted from the ST Style Pack – including red brake callipers, illuminated ST themed scuff plates and grey wheels – as standard, you’ll now find it relegated to the options list.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Kona Electric

2020 Hyundai

Kona Electric

47,452 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £13,600
View Kona Electric
Model 3

2023 Tesla

Model 3

51,910 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £19,300
View Model 3
A4 Avant

2025 Audi

A4 Avant

33,571 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £24,787
View A4 Avant
1 Series

2024 BMW

1 Series

21,322 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £20,700
View 1 Series

The two extra doors make getting in and out much easier for passengers – who no longer have to clamber past the huge Recaro bucket seats to reach the rear. The slight redesign needed to incorporate the rear doors means that the rear windows are a bit bigger too, so it feels lighter inside and less claustrophobic in the back. Legroom is still at a premium, however. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

From behind the wheel, the Fiesta ST still sets the benchmark in this class. Ford freshened the car up last year for the arrival of the ST 200 – tweaking the steering and damper settings for a more responsive, yet more comfortable drive. The well-weighted steering is full of feedback, and there’s very little body roll. 

The 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo is as eager as ever, feeling even faster than its 180bhp output would suggest. The overboost features helps, dialling power to 197bhp for up to 15 seconds at a time. The 0-62mph sprint takes 6.9 seconds – the same as the three-door car.

The five-door car is a little less efficient than the three-door model, however, dropping from 47.9mpg to 46.3mpg thanks to its 20kg heavier kerbweight. In the real world, though, you’ll struggle to break 40mpg in either. We’re expecting big improvements when the three-cylinder car arrives next year. 

Inside, Ford has kept things simple by carrying over the ST branded steering wheel and sporty gear lever from the three-door. These differences aside, the ST’s cabin is barely different to that of lesser Fiestas, with the same confusing fascia and tiny infotainment screen. The centre console has always been the Fiesta ST’s low-point, in fact; it’s an awkward, plasticy stack festooned with small buttons. Only range-topping ST-3 cars get built in sat nav as standard. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,739 off RRP*Used from £8,800
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,568 off RRP*Used from £12,606
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £3,331 off RRP*Used from £9,700
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £4,640 off RRP*Used from £14,895
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New baby Nissan Juke EV on the way to challenge the Dacia Spring
Baby Nissan Juke exclusive image - rear

New baby Nissan Juke EV on the way to challenge the Dacia Spring

Nissan to fast-track development of new battery-powered city car to take on forthcoming Volkswagen ID.1, and our exclusive images preview how it could…
News
18 Apr 2025
Best SUVs to buy 2025
Best SUVs - header image

Best SUVs to buy 2025

There are plenty of great SUVs to choose from, so we’ve picked out the very best
Best cars & vans
17 Apr 2025
You can run an electric car with nowhere at home to charge it, honest
Opinion - ease of EV ownership

You can run an electric car with nowhere at home to charge it, honest

Chris Rosamond explains why ultra-fast charging could convince you to make the switch to driving an EV
Opinion
17 Apr 2025