One-week vehicle loan was provided for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
| Type: Hatchback Price: $21,400 Fuel Efficiency: 26 city/35 hwy Seats: 5 |
Best Suited For: Thin-framed singles Notable Features: Sporty interior, peppy transmission, fun colors Links: Official site |
Previously, I shared with you my thoughts on the 2014 Ford Fiesta sedan and how the hatchback version might make it less boring. Well, I finally got the chance to review a 2014 Ford Fiesta ST. This sportier version does look much better on the outside and the electric colors it comes in definitely helps. Love the rims and the stylish spoiler!
2014 Ford Fiesta ST – Sporty Changes
The Fiesta ST has a nice bit of oomph and smoothly transitions between gears. The manual transmission was nice but I would have loved some gear paddles on the steering wheel. Most everything was okay but, again, the Fiesta just doesn’t provide any “wow” factor for me.
I never thought I’d say this but this Ford does not have enough buttons! The navigation is somewhat cumbersome with the the scaled back controls and even my daughter was complaining about the lack of dials to control the sound system. It seems all the buttons were saved for the ventilation settings but those are just plain confusing when your visual focus should be on the road, not trying to figure out how to turn the defrost on.
One major, and I do mean major, drawback are the seats. Now, if you’re a Skinny Minnie, this might not be a factor but, for most average people this could present an issue. The sporty front seats are designed to hug your body but, instead, they squish it to death. The seats feel so narrow that even I felt uncomfortable. Now, I’m no size 2 but you’d think the car would be able to handle my smaller Asian frame. Nope. My husband was basically sitting 1-2 inches from the back of the seat at all times as he simply did not fit (unless he wanted to feel claustrophobic).
Legroom in the back is one the smaller side but has space for five people. Trunk/cargo space is good. If more is needed, the back row of seats do fold down all the way but not unless you flip down the headrests first.
2014 Ford Fiesta ST – Try Before You Buy
The 2014 Ford Fiesta ST does look a lot better than its standard sibling but I’m not sure the upgrade is worth it. Part of the appeal of the Fiesta is the economical price, which makes the less than interesting performance and materials acceptable. Adding the sporty upgrades for an extra fee bumps it up to a price range where there’s a lot more competition that does the job better. Plus, it seems like a silly oversight to add such narrow bucket seats without the ability to even adjust it.
10 comments
I’m shocked to hear about how cramped it is in there. That alone makes it a no. Too bad. 🙁
I like cargo space, but the cumbersome navigation and other features that aren’t up to par make me think I might pass here
I’m not skinny and yeah those seats look very uncomfortable.
We have this car and my husband is not a small man and he has no trouble and never complains when he drives it. I have mixed feelings about it… we needed a vehicle quickly that wouldn’t be too hard on the pocketbook, and would give me a car cheap on gas to drive back and forth (285 mi. each way) to help with my brother who had cancer and my family needed me to help out for several months.
Well that is a punch of color that’s for sure. I’m guessing I wouldn’t have much of a problem in it with my size and the gas mileage looks great on paper, but my 6 foot 200 lb husband, he may feel a bit squished in it.
It looks mighty small for tall family.
That car is small but mighty for sure. It’s great how much it can fit in the storage.
I don’t think the Fiesta is the right choice for me, but with a tween that will be driving before I know it I like to keep my eyes open for options. Perhaps by the time she’s driving, all the kinks will be worked out.
As always a great review. I almost purchased one of these some time ago but for me the car is just too small.
I found your page while searching on info about Fiesta rollover concerns. Anyway, I read your review and could not resist commenting. You make many valid points, but I think you entirely miss the main point of this car.
The car was selected by the British car show folks at “Top Gear” as the 2013 Car of the Year and Hot Hatch of the Year (and received many other automotive awards in 2013 and 2014). Now, why do you think that would be?
Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson et al certainly observed your practicality concerns, but discounted them because this car just is not targeted to the audience focused on those issues.
It’s difficult to get a sense for the car until you’ve taken it out and pushed it hard around a mountain corner, in an autocross, or on a road course circuit. It’s a “driver’s car.” It’s meant to be driven assertively.
I’m a stocky 5’7″ adult male and love the optional Recaro seats (found on your test car), but my wife HATES them. I would not get them unless you plan to use the car as intended — (again) at a track day, in an autocross, or zipping around mountain curves. There’s no point.
In any event, if you’re thinking tiny Ford, the C-MAX or standard Fiesta hatchback are MUCH better options in this size category — otherwise perhaps a Honda Fit. The Fiesta ST is a car that does some daily chores reasonably well, gets decent mpg, but that is a hoot to drive. If that last point is important (really if it is primary), the ST is worth considering. I got one because it’s an inexpensive way to have fun at the track with other like-minded folks think Laguna Seca, Sonoma, etc.) on a budget — and pick up groceries on he way home.
Comments are closed.