MINI TAKES ON FIESTA
Winner may be a surprise
A pair of oil crises and governmentmandated curbing of automobile emissions in the 1970s all but killed off the once mighty American V8 muscle car. But in their wake rose a raft of ( relatively) fun- to- drive small cars, led by the likes of Volkswagen GTI and Honda Civic Si.
And the so- called hot hatches are still a great way to get a ton of performance in a small package. We brought together two of the best, the 2015 Ford Fiesta ST and the 2015 Mini Cooper S 5 Door to see which one’s better:
FIRST PLACE: 2015 Ford Fiesta ST
The ST version of Ford’s subcompact, front- wheel- drive, fivepassenger Fiesta four- door hatch arrived for 2014. And compared to the new- this- year Mini Cooper S 5 Door, the feisty Ford is not only less expensive, it’s also more fun.
If not as stylish or as premium feeling as the quirky Cooper S’s interior, the Fiesta ST’s ergonomics are more intuitively accessed. Included in its $ 26,514 price ( all prices include freight and predelivery inspection fees) is a pair of torso- hugging Recaro thrones.
The Fiesta ST’s turbocharged 1.6- litre, 197- horsepower four- cylinder gas engine with 202 poundfeet of torque only comes with a smooth- shifting six- speed manual gearbox. Zero to 100 kilometres per hour takes only 6.9 seconds — 0.1 seconds quicker than the Mini.
Compared to the new Mini hot hatch, the Ford’s all- around disc brakes stop in a shorter distance and offer more feel. And the ST offers more steering feel as well.
The hotter ST’s suspension setup makes the Ford much more playful than the Mini.
The Fiesta ST’s meaty and accurate steering clearly lets the driver know what’s going on, allowing the hot hatch to be accurately placed in corners. Bottom line: with its driver- oriented cabin and superior driving dynamics, the Ford is not just cheaper, it’s the more fun- todrive option.
SECOND- PLACE: 2015 Mini Cooper S 5 Door
The new- this- year front- wheeldrive, five- passenger Mini Cooper 5 Door is the first four- door version of the Cooper hatchback.
Since the brand’s modern debut for 2002, parent BMW has marketed its Mini offerings as premium small cars. And that’s certainly the case with the new Cooper S 5 Door.
While offering similar performance from its 189- hp and 207 lb.- ft. 2.0- litre turbocharged four and six- speed stick shift combo ( a $ 1,650 autobox is optional), starting at $ 28,598, the Mini is already priced higher than the well- equipped Ford. To match the Fiesta ST in kit, you’ll need to pay upwards of $ 32,295 for the Cooper S 5 Door.
For that premium, the Mini does offer a nicer cabin, a bit more cargo space, and a more comfortable ride than the Ford.
Although both allow plenty of engine and road noise into their respective cabins, the Mini absorbs bad pavement better than the firmer Ford. And while the Fiesta ST is the sportier of the two, the Cooper S 5 Door is no slouch on a back road.
However, for drivers who find the Ford too hardcore, need an automatic transmission, and can afford the Mini’s premium pricing, the new 2015 Cooper S 5 Door offers a similar diving experience as its two- door hatch sibling, but with a bit more practicality.