Should you buy one?

If you like small, practical (ish) cars that give big driving pleasure, the Ford Fiesta ST remains the most obvious starting point and the supermini-sized hot hatch that you should measure all the others against. It is huge fun to drive, very useable, and supported by a vast dealer network. The engine is even capable of reasonable fuel economy if you can keep your foot from jamming the accelerator to the floor at every possible opportunity – no easy task, believe us.

However, with the price creeping upwards there’s now even more of a reason to investigate the likes of the Hyundai i20 N as well – another excellent small hot hatchback – and for those who want the ultimate in ballistic supermini-missiles, the Toyota GR Yaris is on another level of performance entirely (if also much costlier with it).

As ever with the Fiesta ST, the suspension demands commitment and toleration much as the handling insists your passengers require a strong stomach. So although it is, in no uncertain terms, quite brilliant, it’s not the kind of car that will suit everyone.

What we like

Fabulous chassis tuning is clearly the result of some serious tender loving care from its creators, making it outstandingly good at covering ground over a mixture of different road types. Keen engine is clever and potent. Lots of standard equipment on the ST-3 version, including the must-have Performance Pack. We like the way it looks, too.

What we don’t like

The ride comfort is punishingly bad in some situations, and a real drag if you’re not in the mood. There’s a very good rival that’s now significantly cheaper. Five-door only bodystyle will put some people off, and doesn’t solve all of the Fiesta’s practicality constraints.

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