In Brief...
European looks validate the Ford Fiesta as an identifiable car on our roads, but this model is much more than just a flashy hatch. Excellent at navigating inner city streets where congestion is rife and parking options are limited, this is one gutsy star. The entry variants, which are being phased out, are among the most affordable cars on the market. But if you don’t mind stretching that budget by a modest amount, the Fiesta ST will dazzle courtesy of its aggressive energy. In 2019 the ST is set to land in Australia with a fresh makeover, as a heightened focus on performance beckons. So far, all the media pundits are talking up the German-manufactured variant, which sports a 3-cylinder 1.5L turbocharged motor. Nevertheless, the existing version has always been a local fan favourite for its sporty features like individual disc brakes, torque vectoring, wide-profile wheels, racing seats and sat-nav. Even the lower-spec variants deliver accurate and poised steering that is a performance highlight. So if you’re looking to extract the most out of your budget, the run-out Ambiente, Trend and Sport variants will delight, but if it’s excellence you’re after, the Ford Fiesta ST is nothing short of heart-stopping.
