2014 Ford Fiesta ST: the firecracker
(Autogo.ca) — In a segment that emphasizes efficiency and affordability, it’s nice to see another subcompact hatchback missile hit the market.
Actually, there aren’t that many performance-oriented choices in the category where the cheapest cars are found. The Fiat 500 Abarth and the MINI Cooper S come to mind, and now, they’ll have to confront the new-for-2014 Ford Fiesta ST.
It’s fast, it’s nimble and it has the looks to back up its performance. The Fiesta ST joins the line-up about one year after its bigger sister, the Ford Focus ST, was introduced. Plenty of firepower Under the short hood of the 2014 Ford Fiesta ST is a turbo 1.6L four, a mean little bugger than belts out 197 horsepower as well as 202 lb-ft of torque from 2,500 to 4,000 rpm; definitely some impressive numbers here.
The little ST blasts off like an angry pitbull and reaches 100 km/h in less than eight seconds, which is great. The generous torque always makes you want to stomp on the go-pedal, in order to feel that surge in acceleration. The six-speed manual – the only transmission available in the ST – is a delight to use.
Like the MINI Cooper S, the Fiesta ST’s exhaust note is raspy, but likely won’t cause any head-turning as you drive by. That’s a contrast to the Fiat 500 Abarth’s frightening wail at wideopen throttle.
And despite all that power, fuel economy should be pretty good, too. Its combined city/highway consumption is rated at 6.8 L/100km; however, premium fuel is recommended. Quite a handler It’s also a hoot to drive on twisty roads, or on a track, such as the brilliant Monticello Motor Club’s circuit during the IMPA Test Days event a few weeks ago, where we put the feisty Fiesta through its paces. This thing clings to the tarmac like a fly in a bowl of porridge, thanks to its sporttuned suspension and 205/40R17 performance summer tires. The stability control system includes a Sport mode, which raises the safety net thresholds for those moments when you want to drive more enthusiastically.
The 2014 Ford Fiesta ST’s steering is electrically assisted, and includes what Ford calls Active Nibble Control which – besides the funny name – reduces the vibrations felt through the steering wheel caused by road imperfections and bad wheel balancing. Another feature in the steering system, called Pull-Drift Compensation, reduces the sudden unwanted side-toside motions, such as stepping into truck ruts on the highway, for example.
So yeah, the steering feels sporty stiff and refined, but doesn’t quite eliminate torque steer. It’s mostly noticeable during hard acceleration, but under normal driving, it isn’t a concern. What is torque steer, you ask? It’s basically the side-toside tugging sensation you feel when too much engine power is sent to the front wheels while they also steer the car. A few years ago, this was a concern in powerful front-drive cars, but manufacturers now have this issue well under control. For 2014, the Fiesta gets a facelift and now bears a family resemblance to the Focus and Fusion. The ST gets a blacked-out honeycomb grille, lower-body side skirts, aggressively styled bumpers and a rear hatch spoiler. It definitely looks hot, and you can even choose some groovy paint colours such as an atomic pumpkin orange and a slimy green.
The cockpit gets a shot of sportiness as well, with RECARO front seats that wrap your torso up like a coiling snake; they’re heated and dressed in a mix of leatherette and cloth. Contrast stitching, aluminum pedals and leather-wrapped wheel and shift lever round out the package.
As for versatility, the 2014 Ford Fiesta ST trumps the Fiat and the MINI for rearseat space, and has the advantage of offering two extra doors. On the other hand, this is a small car, and backseat legroom is very limited. The trunk is also fairly small at 286 litres. Fair price Starting at a reasonable $24,999 before freight and delivery charges, the Fiesta ST costs about the same as a 500 Abarth and a couple thousand cheaper than a Cooper S. Standard features include, among others, an intelligent key system, climate control as well as the SYNC voice recognition system and the dreaded MyFord Touch interface. You can also add a power sunroof, grey-painted wheels and navigation, and end up with a $28K subcompact.
So, the 2014 Ford Fiesta ST performs as well as the MINI but without the latter’s go-kart steering and handling.
It’s a more refined and useful package than the Fiat. And personally, I prefer the 197-hp Fiesta ST over the 252-hp Focus ST, because the Focus has an awful turning circle radius, which makes it less manoeuvrable in dense urban areas and in shopping-mall parking lots.
Simply put, the Fiesta ST is a blast.
PROS
Muscular little engine Great handling Looks hot
CONS