Used Ford Fiesta ST for sale: everything you need to know
When Ford announced it would cease production of the Fiesta, more than a few old Fiesta owners shed a tear. But the real shame was that no Fiesta meant no follow-up to the Fiesta ST - undoubtedly one of the best hot hatchbacks to hit the road over the last couple of decades.
The last couple of Fiesta STs have both been crackers, first the four-cylinder turbo car launched in 2012, and then the three-cylinder follow-up in 2018. It’s the latter we’re focusing on here but both are cut from the same cloth, with agile handling, plenty of power, and an infectious character that we’re really going to miss with no future Fiestas in store. Best of all, they were hugely popular when new, which means plenty of choice on the used market, and some very tempting prices too.
Should you buy a Ford Fiesta ST?
Entertainment is the name of the game with the Ford Fiesta ST. It’s a car that always seems to be up for a laugh, and keen pricing made it accessible to a wide audience too - something sorely lacking from the modern hot hatchback market. If there’s one consolation, it’s that the ST’s popularity means there’s a huge choice of pre-owned cars out there, for some pretty tempting prices.
The model we’re looking at here was launched in 2018, and traded its predecessor’s 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo engine for a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo. It was just as powerful though, with a 200PS output, and the burbly exhaust note gave it some character. The Fiesta ST’s highlight though is its chassis - it’s responsive, agile, and engaging, with razor-sharp steering.
None of that comes at the expense of the regular Fiesta’s practicality either. Not that the little Ford is the most spacious car in its class, but three- and five-door options, a half-decent boot, and a well-built cabin all contribute to the ST’s appeal. As does a relatively low thirst for unleaded, with 40mpg easily in reach if you don’t drive everywhere with your right foot buried in the carpet.
The Fiesta had a few strong rivals at the time, including cars like the Peugeot 208 GTi and Renault Sport Clio 200 and 220. More recently, the Volkswagen Polo GTI, Hyundai i20N, and MINI John Cooper Works all squared up to the ST, but the Hyundai’s really the only one that gets close for fun factor and ability. The ubiquity of the Fiesta means it may be difficult to beat on price though.
What’s the best used Ford Fiesta ST model to buy?
With a healthy budget to spend we’d make a beeline for the Performance Edition. The orange paint and the ten-spoke alloy wheels are nice, but it’s really transformed by the standard fitment of the Performance Pack and adjustable coilover suspension - it both rides and handles better than the standard car. Not that any other ST is bad, and you’ll be more than happy with whichever model you go for. All use the same engine too, so there’s no straight-line benefit to spending more.
Used Ford Fiesta ST fuel economy and performance
- Ford Fiesta ST: There’s just one engine in the ST, a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder making 200PS, and attached to a six-speed manual gearbox. Ford gave the ST a 0-62mph time of 6.5 seconds, and combined economy was quoted at 44.1mpg.
What used Ford Fiesta ST trim levels are available?
As the Fiesta ST is itself a kind of trim level in the regular Fiesta range - albeit a fairly special one - the lineup is fairly simple to understand, with a couple of different equipment options and option packs. Expect to pay more for the special Performance Edition, thanks to its high level of equipment, and unique paintwork and wheels.
- The Ford Fiesta ST-2 was equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, ST body styling, a dual-exit exhaust, a rear view camera, a touchscreen infotainment system, Normal, Sport and Track driving modes, six-way adjustable Ford Performance front seats, and climate control.
- The Ford Fiesta ST-3 got larger 18-inch alloys, as well as matrix LED headlights, red-painted brake calipers, a Performance Pack including a Quaife limited slip differential, launch control, and gearshift lights, plus keyless entry and start, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
- The Ford Fiesta ST Performance Edition arrived in 2019 and had an upgraded specification, getting the Performance Pack as standard, plus uprated and lowered adjustable coilover suspension, 10-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, and a coat of bright orange paintwork.
Used Ford Fiesta ST dimensions and boot size
The Ford Fiesta ST’s dimensions are:
- Length: 4091mm
- Width: 1735mm (without mirrors), 1941mm (with mirrors)
- Height: 1487mm
The Ford Fiesta ST’s boot size is:
- 292 litres
- 1093 litres with the rear seats folded (to roof)
Used Ford Fiesta ST road tax
You’ll pay a flat rate of VED or ‘road tax’ for all Ford Fiesta STs, with a bill of £190 per year for the 2024/2025 tax year.
How much is it to insure a Ford Fiesta ST?
There’s only a small spread of insurance groups across the Fiesta ST range, with the ST-2 and ST-3 Fiestas coming in at group 28, while the Performance Edition raises this to group 30. This is similar to several other cars in the class, with a VW Polo GTI spanning groups 26-28 for example.
