2016 Ford Fiesta ST Review - Is It STILL A Good Car?

[@gleighteen7525]

Purchased a 14' FiST in Oct. 2013 and it now has 205,000 miles on it with the original clutch still in it. 2 A/C blend doors and the intermittent CEL light since the temp. sensor recall. That is the only problems I have ever had with this awesome little orange rollerskate. I live in the Smokey Mountains and over time the factory suspension has softened up to the point its actually a decent ride lol. Went with full synthetic at 5k miles and change it every 5k miles. Other regular maintenance...plugs at 100 / 200k, coolant flush at 100/200k and the usual air filters. I would drive it to Alaska today and back with absolute confidence. One of the most reliable cars I've ever owned........

[@bongodave13]

I've taken my FiST on several long trips. I find it very comfortable on the freeway, and I can drive it for hours without a break. With a stage 2 tune, it absolutely rips at 60+ mph.

[@mikec.2314]

I'm so happy that in Canada they only sold these with the Recaros. Why anyone would buy this without the Recaro's in beyond me. Great car - just sold my 14 after having my fun.

[@r0b3rt_959]

The Recaros fitted in the Fiesta ST and the Focus RS are notorious for destroying your back and being horrendously uncomfortable.

[@TassieLorenzo]

@@r0b3rt_959 For bigger people or for everyone? Ford have been using those style of seats for a long time, since at least the Mk2 Focus ST/XR5 with the Volvo engine IIRC, you'd think they would change tack if the seats were considered uncomfortable. Edit -- I'm wrong, even the Focus SVT / Mk1 Focus ST already came with this style of Recaro seat! So that's 20 years of small sporty Fords with this style of seats, it can't suddenly be a problem, can it? The Puma ST160 and Mk1 Focus RS, however, had a Sparco seat which was sportier. It had blue trim and pass throughs for a harness. That's kind of fun! 🙂

[@lthudgins]

Bought a non recaro FiST cause my wife's back...

[@benserio7942]

I didn’t buy one w/ recaros because I am a big boy

[@katgamez9855]

There Hella hard to find with the Recaros where I am

[@BlueSkyCrystals]

I have owned two Focus RSs, a Focus ST, and a Fiesta ST. Focus ST is great fun but the FoRS and FiST are on another level, and honestly the RS is not anymore fun than the FiST. They are just fun in different ways. I have taken them all on long trips over 4+ hours repeatedly and I had no issues with the seats. The FiST and FoST had cloth seats and the RSs of course had the Recaros, which were more comfortable in my view. I think this review hit the nail on the head. If you will daily, ST. If you need space, FoST. If you don’t, FiST. Don’t even look at the RS if you don’t care about AWD and 350hp. The stiffer ride and the poor turning radius is easy for me to deal with but most people will not want to.

[@davinp]

Adaptive Crusie Control is standard on all trims of the Toyota Corolla - it's part of the safety sense suite that Toyota made standard, while GM, Ford & Chrysler offered as an option

[@anthonykiedis1765]

It's also standard on the entire Mazda lineup.

[@losingmyfavoritegame8752]

I love the pedal placement. I really care about the pedals and shifter feel.

[@username3365]

The pedal placement is my least favorite part of my FiST lol. But to each their own!

[@MrRealeyesrealize]

@@username3365it’s atleast gotta be better than my old mk6 gti

[@thegoldenchild661]

@@username3365yup. Pedal placement sucks. Heel to toe is not comfortable for me at all

[@myactuallname3940]

@@thegoldenchild661git gut it’s easy af

[@Crispychicken4u]

If your going to get a fiesta st .the recaro seats are a must ! Fiesta is a great rally car .the focus is more straight line muscle car

[@TwoDollarGararge]

The focus is more of a practical daily where the fiesta is just crazy. Honestly is someone who daily's a focus ST just spent this past weekend on Vermont back roads it does pretty good on the back road

[@zackdl]

Agreed. I refused to buy any fiesta ST I found without the recaro seats. The recaros make the Fiesta ST feel so much nicer and more premium. My FiST is my favorite car I ever owned.

[@davothegreat9990]

Focus st is far from a muscle car!!😂😂

[@tylern2394]

I purchased mine fresh off the lot in August 2016.. it had 19 total miles on the odometer when I left the dealership. The car currently sits at 77k miles. Most major work done to it was a lower block replacement and a resurfaced top block, and the whole exhaust replaced when the turbo blew up at 69k. The car has never had 1 engine modification, but it is lowered and has upgraded sway bars. I absolutely love my car and have no plan on getting rid of it. I like the ST series so much I even bought an Edge ST

[@xainte13]

I've had my 2019 ST for just under a year now, and it has been the best car I have ever owned. Extremely reliable, very engaging to drive, yet I can still take my kid to it from the park with a few of his friends. Bought mine used with a salvage title due to an autocross accident, but there was hardly any damage and the car had $4,000 in upgrades. 14,000 mi, $16,000 out the door. Short throw shifter and bucket seats are the only mods that I need to do. If a car enthusiast needs a more practical car than a Miata, the fiesta ST is it.

[@tomc8854]

Bought a 2018 in April, Coming from a ND2 Miata and an FR-S before that I had to say this is just as much fun, maybe a little more even because of the turbo! While being a lot more practical.

[@Deathbecomesme3]

I'm absolutely baffled by the upgrade choices on the 2019 that I just picked up. It's got a full Cobb intake and intercooler system, a Mishimoto catch can and feels like it has at least a mild tune but OEM turbo, down pipe, exhaust, and rear motor mount. Oh well, for a five year old car with 52k on the clock that runs perfectly with no rust whatsoever in OHIO of all places I wont complain. I'll just finish the build, shoot to run around 250 - 280 horse, and enjoy the hell out of it.

[@captmaverickable]

Owned one in Red for about 6 months. I was totally fine with it until the opportunity to trade it in on a 15 Focus ST in Kona Blue came along. The Focus was much quieter and premium feeling. The 2.0L and Turbo setup was very quick and made burning up mountain backroads a pleasure, where the Fiesta ST would quickly run out of overboost. Sadly it was totaled on a snowy central Oregon morning when a Subaru Impreza of all cars came flying out of an intersection and t-boned my car while waiting for a stop light. My enthusiast days are behind me. I own a 2021 Prius now. Fun for me is filling up for $40 for 500 miles.And the occasional cloverleaf onramp.

[@nightmaster6381]

Man, sorry for your loss. Its especially sad since you were just sitting there, doing the right thing. Not to diss the Prius, but I filled the FiST with 93octane Premium for $40 here in Chicagoland at Christmastime. I wont get 500 miles for sure though! But for a fun car, I can choose to take it easy and get great gas mileage or have fun and still get good gas mileage. Most sporty cars/trucks only get bad gas mileage. I plan to keep the FiST forever but I do eventually want a different vehicle to spare the FiST. Anyways, keep tearing up those clovers and I hope nobody messes up your prius!!!!!

[@TheCarCrazyGuy]

I owned two of these. I liked them better than the Focus ST I had.

[@bongodave13]

I've driven both, and I like the Fiesta better, too. If you carry a lot of passengers, the Focus is roomier, but it's not more fun to drive.

[@TheFalseProdigy]

Love my fiesta ST everyday, though the interior is really starting to fall apart after 9 years and 130k miles. It also blew its engine when I first bought it, but it got replaced under warranty and has been rock steady ever since

[@ciello___8307]

Damn, thats sucks to hear about the interior. Though its a cheap car so not surprisng

[@spamcan9208]

Why did the engine blow? Was is a known design/production problem? My 2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V had an updated motor put in because the QR25DE had crap piston rings and head gasket when it was first introduced.

[@losingmyfavoritegame8752]

I love little hot hatches! I always wanted you to review one!

[@anthonymurphy5850]

February 24,2024 .... I'm scheduled to test at two car dealerships to test a Feista St and a Fiat turbo 500 both manual transmission 😊

[@MJohonez299]

Modified cars keep you from wanting to own one? What.. tell me you're not mechanically inclined without telling me you're not mechanically inclined.. picking up a 111k mile autocrossed green envy ST Saturday. 10k.

[@losingmyfavoritegame8752]

I see quite a few in my hoooooooood! One of my neighbors has one. He hard parks it away from everyone because he drives a work van all day, ST Fiesta when at home! I like to think of them as maybe a Mazda 2. I am honestly torn between Focus ST and Speed3.

[@zenxen7668]

Both engines r ford based

[@CanMan125_]

Same platform as Mazda 2

[@nightmaster6381]

I own a FiST and I drive a truck for work. Best of both worlds. After you drive a loaded truck all day, driving a car like this is like wearing a weighted suit all day then taking it off. If I were you I'd get the FoST over the Mazda3. Mazda3 is great but I think there is more support for the FoST.

[@ASpaceMan991]

1-2 shifts in automatic were VERY bad. Get the manual! EXPERIENCE when I drove them as a fleet vehicle for auto parts delivery

[@shoresy6951]

You can only get the ST in manual.

[@maxeluy]

I have a Fiesta MK1 and is still a good car 👀😅

[@losingmyfavoritegame8752]

Sony Radio! again. Nice small car! Get a sony wiring harness and add a subwoofer.

[@tyhyhh]

had one with a whoosh hybrid fbo and tune to 29psi should have made about 300whp super fun car but the ford logo ruined it for me

[@Darylrb1983]

I miss mine. Had a bigger turbo etc. Love it. Drove 155k miles in 5 years. Now I have my wife's 2016 st with a tune to bomb around in when I want. The comment about rear space fir passengers.... depends on the size of the person sitting there. Seat comfort for long distance is fine after you break them in. Don't be afraid if a nodded one as long as they have good service history.

[@mikedaleiden7725]

I loved the way these handled, were manual only and a performance bargain. Seeing them on the roads in 2023, it really hasn't aged well. Now it looks too much like a kids car.

[@ryeguy88]

I apprecaite that people still review Fiesta ST... but still... its 2023/24, Lol. We get it.

[@georgenaidoo9553]

The issue that at the price point , most of thr ilder St's you find are such a bag of cats , rsther buy one you trust and go stright to soend money on parts.

[@AzNightmare]

*Too bad the car being reviewed has base seat optioned. Other parts of the world outside of USA get Recaros stock and it's one of the nicest features of this car. Base seat option doesn't exist.*

[@SherwinR89]

I have it's French rival. The Peugeot 208 GTI 😈🇫🇷💪

[@williamcricket7931]

But that's a shit car.

[@Tantuhard]

It looks great, I do think that the PSA engine is not that reliable

[@SherwinR89]

@@Tantuhard 140 000 km and only a few repairs. I'd say the Ford's engine would have more issues than my Peugeot at that milage

[@davothegreat9990]

​@@SherwinR89nope

[@BorgWarnerKP39]

​@@SherwinR89 LOL no

[@PLively]

That's not an in-line four. For that reason, I'm out.

[@basslinefreshdetailing]

They stole a lot from Mazda, and kneecapped them at every turn. fun car though

[@JoedT]

This is the same exact year, trim, and color as my FiST! Got it recently. I came from an 06' Mustang GT, 13' Subaru STi, and a beater 05' Focus ZX5 which pushed me to get a Fiesta. I plan to keep this thing until the wheels fall off 🙂

[@comradian]

i've heard a lot of sti drivers say they felt stuck in the past and that they didn't actually need the awd in the dry with this car. not sure about wet though. did you feel limited or freed?

[@markhealey9409]

Not exactly an 'American' car,..designed & developed in England & Germany,even though the North American market Fiestas of this generation were built in Mexico.

[@TwoDollarGararge]

It's the closest thing you're going to get to in American car Cars are global now with the exception of I am full of market specific SUVs and pickups hey at least it was built in Michigan

[@bldontmatter5319]

​@@TwoDollarGarargethe pickups are Mexican with parts from China. This isn't 1980 anymore

[@TwoDollarGararge]

@@bldontmatter5319 some of the high end stuff is made here the pleb pedestrian models have not been made here for 15 years at least probably more

[@markhealey9409]

​@@TwoDollarGarargeoh,i knew the North American market Focuses were built in Michigan,but thought NA market Fiestas were built in Mexico?!

[@CanMan125_]

That explains why it’s so good lol

[@zackdl]

As a fiesta ST owner I’m so happy to see you in one again!

[@TD05SSLegacy]

The engine is so jammed in that it cooks all the hoses. Preventative upkeep is essential if ‘cheap’ sports car is going to remain cheap.

[@Dankcatvacs]

so not enough air intake? sounds like the computer on my dads 94 dakota

[@kennethrine8171]

I traded my Ford 2016 Fiesta for a 2020 Mustang Gt I do love my Mustang. But I wish I kept the Festiva.

[@zack8819]

I recently purchased a 2017 FiST with just over 12,000 miles on it. I was test driving them way back in 2014 and never bought one but absolutely loved the car so I swore I would buy one some day. I didn't even know they made orange ones and it seems like all of the orange ones have orange Recaro seats. And yes the car has quite a few mods but they are actually very tasteful and functional. Like a Mountune radiator and PPF plus others, oh and it of course has the rear motor mount replaced. I was searching for a low mileage one but didn't know I would be able to find one with this low of mileage so I had to have it.

[@JLJE54]

How much you get it for?

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

I have an Orange Spice ST. I didn't want orange, I was looking for either Kona or Performance Blue. Then, I saw it on the lot and instantly fell in love with it. Mine has the orange Recaros in it. I need to get an aftermarket rad because it get a bit warm with the A/C on during the summer.

[@doug6191]

6:32 - 1,000+ reviews later and you find the lumbar lever to be quirky? 🤨

[@losingmyfavoritegame8752]

Dont even start, bro. I am looking to buy a $15000 Mazdaspeed3. It is hard to find even though I have cash in hand, no joke, and every one is in shit condition. No responsible owner owned. WTH. I am working in a 100mi. radius.

[@nightmaster6381]

Actually thats where this car shines - highway pulls. You wont beat anyone 0-60 from a dig, but once your on the highway you're already(hopefully) in motion and thats where power/weight ratio shines. Once you get up up there in speed, a more powerful car will pull. But that in that 45-100mph zone it shames most cars.

[@losingmyfavoritegame8752]

Inside lumbar is also a volvo S40 feature which I believe is ford made.

[@markhealey9409]

Unfortunately Volvo is Chinese owned now,like far too many companies! 🙄🙄😡😡

[@UpperRobin29]

These things are fun little beans

[@bodee-m2e]

Looking at one for my first car. Thoughts?

[@akotoada]

Get a 2017-19 best model years

[@bodee-m2e]

@@akotoada thanks for the reply! Can I ask why you prefer those years?

[@BorgWarnerKP39]

​@@bodee-m2e The suspension in 2016+ models is softer so its more confortable, also 2014-2015 have sync 2 screen

[@dutchcarsdaily]

Became a proud owner of a 1.0L EcoBoost ST-line with stage 1 to 145hp and man, they are amazing drives as well. Can’t speak for the ST yet but even a 1.0L ecoboost is a lot of fun.

[@TheBigBeardedGinger]

Feeling proud with my bone stock 19 Fiesta ST I bought new in 2019! 65k miles. I love my little bean!

[@JPTHRICE]

searching for a bone stock fiesta st. -to tune the fuck out of it 🤣

[@heres_the_sauce]

Yes platform has never been better. Nothing else has come out to rival it in the sub $20k market and new products are being developed for it constantly.

[@bldontmatter5319]

I dont like the electronic throttle which prevents stallout and stuff like that. So lame.

[@nightmaster6381]

What are you talking about? Is that a feature that you can disable? Because my 17 FiST will stall just like any other car if you dont know how to drive standard and I didnt disable anything....

[@davinp]

That back seat looks smaller then the Corolla hatchback. Lot of dog hair in that car

[@TassieLorenzo]

The Fiesta is a B-segment car, equivalent to a Toyota Yaris, so one size below the Corolla. PS. It would be really fun to get a Toyota Starlet GT Turbo on the channel one day!

[@BSchoon55]

Found a BONE STOCK 2018 Fiesta ST 1 owner with 26k miles, runs like a tank... use it for work... about 300 miles a week on it/ Amazing review and I love every second of it. I have owned 3 Fiesta STs in my life!

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

I have a 2018 ST in Orange Spice. I bought it with about 42K on it. It has some minor mods (intercooler, cat back, rear engine mount, bigger tires and wheels and larger, slotted front rotors). I can not imagine ever getting rid of it. It makes even the dullest trip a blast.

[@MrJ38]

I have a 2016 Ford Fiesta ST with Recaro seats that I bought new back in 2016. one of the most fun cars ive ever driven. the car no has 50k miles on it now and its still as fun as when it had 5 miles on it when I got it. best part, is the limited mods. wheels, radiator, intercooler and shifter upgrade. other than that... its stock. to say its rare to see a well taken care of Fiest ST or Focus ST in 2024 is an understatement.

[@ScottTaylor-ml2tk]

Very happy owner of an incredibly similar FiST! 2016 Kona, same wheels, same trim. I did add a gtx2860, though. That spices it up reaaaaaal nice! 😊

[@losingmyfavoritegame8752]

I think it would be nicer without the moon roof woof unless it is standard.

[@RAA12586]

I bought an ingot silver base fiesta st in 2013 new, still own and drive everywhere, not my main vehicle, but its super reliable still, only mods is an access port, green filter and rmm.

[@nativerambler9818]

I can fit so many ikea boxes of various sizes in the FiST lol and small people fit comfortably in the back.

[@oxyeekithebeatgod2501]

I think the basic interior is best and fits it. If I want better interior, I’d get something better. It is an economy car after all

[@fatfluffyfox3263]

How far would you travel anyways, i got a pretty modified 2012 Mazda speed 3

[@Mysterios0]

After my Fusion I’ll never buy another Ford. Not even if my life depended on it.

[@Dankcatvacs]

wrong side of back seat again

[@hollybirge4087]

I loved the Fiesta ST in concept but my butt was too wide for the Recaros. 😞

[@rockingroller9000]

I have a 2016 with 17k miles and I love it!

[@losingmyfavoritegame8752]

You said it at 10:15 Thank you for sharing, Zack!

[@xtreme7756]

Great simple, informative review. Thank you!

[@bazilwreckerloughead]

I like those cars, I almost got one of those a few years ago.

[@williambreeze2659]

I love these little cars!

[@doug6191]

Black wheels generally look bad, but they look even more frumpy with that car's color.

[@losingmyfavoritegame8752]

I like the green ST badge. Is that stock? 🧐

[@TheCarCrazyGuy]

9:27 no, it's normally red

[@chrisschneider5670]

They sell tons of different colors online I’ve had like 3 different styles haha they’re just stickers that fit right on

[@MultiTelan]

Had a 19. Not bad, but I now have an F150 that's SO MUCH faster. Neither my ST nor my F150 were/are stock.

[@davothegreat9990]

Faster in a straight line and that's about it.

[@criSOME1]

How much hp was the fiesta?

[@TheGeorgiaMediaGroup]

This car is total junk. I owned one. Key words. Use too.

[@lthudgins]

4 years strong in my 18 FiST. How is it junk?

[@TheGeorgiaMediaGroup]

@@lthudgins u got lucky

[@jacktomis1743]

what happened? unreliable?

[@YourMomsPlaceLastNight]

Sold our Fiesta ST and opted for the 2017 Ford Fusion Sport 2.7 V6 Twin Turbo AWD......325hp 385 ft lbs.....got smoked by a Fusion Sport in my Fiesta ST andc wanted one ever since.....My Sport beats RT chargers with no issue.....

[@davothegreat9990]

Fiesta ST isn't a straight line car though. In the twisties is where it shines

[@YourMomsPlaceLastNight]

@@davothegreat9990 Yea these sports are not quite as good around corners as the Fiesta ST because of the smaller wheel base......but with much wider 245 40R19 tires, and AWD......its not that much slower in tight corners and is much faster on long curves....was going 120mph on 394 here in Minneapolis into a curve....misjudged it a bit but when i went into it a bit harder thanni planned on i literally felt the intelligent AWD grip and pull me right back into where i needed to be.....was so impressed.....with 128 less hp and 183 ft lbs less tourqe.....a bit better handling in tight curves isn't enough......385 ft lbs tourqe makes the Fusion Sport a forgotten about rocket......and whatever it lost in that hairpin corner will quickly make back up within a 1/4 mile......I loved my Fiesta ST loved it and still miss it sometimes cause of the manual trans.....but.....love the Fusion just a bit more......