Ford Fiesta ST-Line 1.0T Ecoboost
The Ford Fiesta arrives
The newest generation Fiesta joins the HJ fleet, so what are our first impressions?
Date: 18 June 2018 | Current mileage: 1041 | Claimed economy: 62.8mpg | Actual economy: 41.5mpg
The Ford Fiesta; a staple of UK roads. It's almost as classic as roasties on a Sunday. And, like the humble potato, it's arguably a bit bland. Not through any real fault of its own, but simply because it's so endearingly popular with us Brits. They're as common as Brexit supporters in the Daily Mail comments section.
In fact, the little supermini is almost a brand as much as Ford is. So, while the newest incarnation of the Fiesta was excitedly discussed in Ford owner forums, I wasn't that excited to spend some time with one.
That's not to say it isn't a great little hatchback - but just because there just isn't that much to write about a car that seems to have no flaws. After all, I embrace any opportunity to complain.
A quick breakdown of our model: 140PS - the most powerful version, 180Nm of torque and 0-62mph in all of nine seconds. And that's you all caught up. It's the perfect recipe for a warm hatch, though the ST-Line badge tends to trick people into thinking it's the long-awaited new generation Fiesta ST.
Look at that fancy red tittle. Stylish.
So what's new with the 2018 Ford Fiesta? Generally, as happens with cars that are so popular for so long, each generation just needs tweaked a little bit here and there. Styling, performance and quality have been revamped and improved to give the Fiesta a fresher look, rather than a full overhaul of the old model's characteristics.
The updated interior is about as different from the old, button-laden job as Argos is from IKEA. And, despite not being Swedish - it is simple, intuitive and organised. There's a nice, 4.2-inch infotainment screen, though it's a tad limited.
Yet, the new model is a completely different beast to its predecessor (though it's still a bit conservative). And so it should be to compete with the likes of the excellent new SEAT Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo.
Is it still top of its class? That has yet to be decided, but it's definitely a good evolution.
GP
Our Fiesta ST-Line turns heads
The ST-Line trim starts making waves on the streets as people mistake our sheep in wolf's clothing for the actual wolf.
Date: 2 July 2018 | Current mileage: 1233 | Claimed economy: 62.8mpg | Actual economy: 42.2mpg
We've had the Ford Fiesta two weeks now, and something keeps happening. Like, all the time. Wherever I am - at work, at the shops, at home, in traffic - people seem to think they've spotted the new, not-yet launched, Ford Fiesta ST.
A number of delivery drivers have told me they've dropped a car off 'next to the white ST'. But we dont have a Fiesta ST. What they've seen is the Fiesta ST-Line, the fraudster lurking in our midst.
I understand the confusion. I mean, it's supposed to look like the hot hatch it impersonates. With 17-inch alloy wheels, beefier bumpers and an ST front grille - it's no wonder our little 1.0T has such a problem with mistaken identity.
They're basically twins, proper twins - not like Danny Devito and Arnie. And for those that want that sportier look to differntiate themselves - without the need for so much more power (or a higher insurance premium) - it's the ideal solution.
Don't focus on that massive panel gap...
The St-line's starting price is £18,590. Though with all our optional extras, the ST-Line sat outside our office weighs in at £19,390, which is about £395 more than the starting price for the actual ST it imitates.
The interior is just as flashy as well - with sports-style front seats, sports pedals and an ST-Line flat-bottomed steering wheel. It isn't exactly quick, going from 0-62mph in a not-so-scintillating nine seconds. But handling is well-weighted and performance is a definite improvement over its predecessor.
While the ST-Line is fun, competent and very dynamic, I don't exactly expect it to draw excited drivers away from the soon-to-be launched Fiesta ST. Sure you'll feel the sting of a higher list price, insurance premiums and fuel costs - but the ST is a genuine joy to drive. And it's much cheaper than hot hatch rivals like the Honda Civic Type R.
But for those who don't want 200PS on tap, the Fiesta ST-Line is a great option. In fact, it's quite hard to complain about it because it does what it promises to so well.
GP
The best things come in small packages
Our Fiesta may be small, but it's perfectly formed and - in David's opinion - one of the best cars out there.
Date: 16 July 2018 | Current mileage: 1981 | Claimed economy: 62.8mpg | Actual economy: 42.0mpg
Here at HonestJohn.co.uk we get to drive all sorts of different stuff, from the latest EVs to seven-seater SUVS, hot hatches, pick-ups and even the occasional Bentley if we've behaved ourselves and asked nicely. There is so much variety out there in the new car market that it's rare to be in the same type of car for more than a few days.
So you may think that the humble hatchback might get left on the shelf when it comes to deciding who wants what car. But when that humble hatchback is the Ford Fiesta, it's a different story. It's a car we find ourselves coming back to time and again - and always enjoying once we get behind the wheel.
Posh it may not be - although our ST Line with its anthracite alloys certainly looks good - and given that the Fiesta continues to be the UK's best-selling car, it's hardly a rare sight on the roads either, but we think the Fiesta is one of - if not the - best small cars around.
In fact you could take the word small out of that. While there are lots of cars out there we drive that are bigger or have more power, for us the Fiesta is pretty much all the car you'll ever need. Obviously if you've got a family of four to transport around the country, this ain't the car for you, but we think many people will be surprised at just how good the Fiesta is.
Indeed, small cars generally are better than ever, in terms of comfort, refinement and quality. With 140PS from its characterful 1.0 EcoBoost engine, the Fiesta is not short of performance either. It has all the qualities of a bigger car, yet is still fun to drive and great around town. It's even happy on the motorway.
A few weeks ago we had a new BMW X2 in to drive for a few days. Despite it's weird coupe-that's-also-a-crossover design, it's actually a really nice thing to drive. It also has a BMW badge on the bonnet and starts at £30k. Come the weekend with the diesel X2, I actually spent more time in the Fiesta. And enjoyed it more.
I've really grown fond of the characterful Fiesta since it has been with us and am now using it as a daily runaround following the return of the Mercedes-AMG C 43 Estate. I'll be honest, at first I wasn't that enamoured with the idea, but the Fiesta has won me over.
It's proof that that great things often come in small packages. There's a reason the Fiesta is so popular - it's a genuinely great car, regardless of its size.
DR
Ford Fiesta vs Skoda Fabia
Georgia sees how her Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo stacks up against the new Ford Fiesta ST-Line.
Date: 30 July 2018 | Current mileage: 2563 | Claimed economy: 62.8mpg | Actual economy: 42.2mpg
From May to November 2017 I ran a Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo, which is the the nice sporty one highlighted with black elements — like 16-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, front grille and door mirrors. And, while I really liked it, a lot of people liked to tell me how drab it was.
In fairness, the small hatchback market is filled with wonderfully varied and versatile contenders. From the humble Vauxhall Corsa to the quirky Suzuki Swift to the enduringly popular Ford Fiesta — Brits love a little car.
However, where my experience with the Fabia was mostly marked by people thinking it was dull, my time with the Fiesta has been much more interesting. Aside from the fact people often thought it was the highly-anticipated Fiesta ST, they just really liked the new Fiesta.
The Skoda Fabia defintely ticks the boxes for comfort, fuel economy and a nice drive - but when it comes to the interior, it's arguably boring - especially in lower spec models. If anything, the cabin just seems painfully sensible in contrast to the bright interior seats. The Fiesta definitely feels a bit higher quality inside, with a few more soft-touch plastics kicking about.
My Skoda Fabia taking a little rest in a layby
In terms of driving, I'd say the Fiesta takes the cake again. In fact, the Fiesta is one of the best cars to drive in its class. But practicality is where the Skoda inches its way back. The Fabia gets closer to its real-world fuel economy figures, reaching about 48mpg (of the 61.4mpg it claims) when we ran it. The Fiesta, in comparison, reaches only 42.2mpg of the 62.8 it's expected to.
There's only £200 between both models, with the Fiesta ST-Line costing £18,590 compared to our Fabia Monte Carlo's £18,790. Our Fabia and the Fiesta both have parking sensors, a touchscreen infotainment system, keyless entry and stop-start.
However, we had to add Ford's SYNC 3 Apple CarPlay system for £300 — which we didn't have to do with our Fabia because Skoda offers SmartLink+ as standard from there almost-bog standard SE trim. Similarly, Keyless Entry was standard on the ST-Line, but was a £320 optional extra on our Monte Carlo.
So which of the sporty-looking hatchbacks would I go for? Probably the Fiesta. Although the Skoda Fabia is definitely an underdog in this class that I enjoyed running much more than I expected I would.
GP
What is the ST-Line?
What do you get for your money when buying a Ford Fiesta ST-Line? Andrew investigates...
Date: 13 August 2018 | Current mileage: 3011 | Claimed economy: 62.8mpg | Actual economy: 47.3mpg
Ford introduced its ST-Line models in 2016, claiming they were "designed for customers who aspire to the sporty image of Ford’s ST models – but do not require the full performance delivered by optimised ST engines and chassis with sports technologies."
It's a fairly simple idea. The Fiesta ST-Line looks pretty sporty, a bit like a Fiesta ST, but with the affordable running costs of a 'normal' Fiesta. It was also a replacement for the old Zetec S models and launched at the same kind of time that other manufacturers were offering similar trim-levels - Vauxhall's VX-Line, for example, and Renault's GT-Line.
And, y'know, it works. Georgia reported early on in her time with the Fiesta that people were mistaking it for the new ST – before it even went on sale in the UK. But aside from its bodystyling kit, rear spoiler and 17-inch spoiler, what do ST-Line buyers get for their money?
Well, there are various other sporty trinkets. The suspension is lower than a standard Fiesta, and there are aluminium sports pedals and sporty seats inside. But it's also missing quite a few features that I'd quite like for my £18,590.
SYNC 3 is good but you'll have to pay for it.
Ford's very good SYNC 3 navigation system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a £300 option, for example – one that's (thankfully) fitted to our test car. There's no cruise control, however, as someone didn't tick the £150 option box on the order form. Electric rear windows are a £175 option, while parking sensors are £200 – which is why we experimented with fitting aftermarket sensors to the Fiesta.
Call me an old fart if you wish, but I'd much rather have such luxuries and go without the aesthetic upgrades fitted to our ST-Line. For an extra £1750, ST-Line X addresses that to an extent, with cruise control, rear privacy glass, SYNC 3 and partial leather fitted as standard. It's probably a worthwhile upgrade, in my opinion.
If you'd rather go down the luxurious rather than sporty route, Ford offers the Fiesta Titanium for similar money to our ST-Line, before options. This comes with SYNC 3 as standard, as well as cruise control and various driver assistance features. You even get velour floor mats and smaller, more pothole-friendly 16-inch alloy wheels. You won't have hot hatch drivers attempt to race you away from traffic lights, either.
If you want the ultimate in luxury Fiesta, you could spend more than £20,000 on a Vignale. The Fiesta Ghia of 2018, the Vignale features heated leather seats and steering wheel, a rear-view camera with parking sensors and an openable panoramic roof. It also looks pretty special, thanks to a unique grille and various splashes of chrome - not to mention Vignale badges tacked in on various places. It's probably not the look ST-Line buyers are going for, but I quite like the Vignale.
AB
