2018 Ford Fiesta ST | Review | Better than the Focus RS?

[@TwimsFan]

I did a seasonal driving job for UPS. Everyone was surprised at how much this little hatchback could fit. I also moved my whole life from FL to CT in this girl and I had room to spare. I'll never underestimate her again.

[@TheMGChannel]

I bet the Camaro owner never wanted to challenge another Fiesta ST in his life 🤣 .. Great video! It’s very interesting that you enjoy more the ST over the Focus RS

[@elibenedict4776]

I know Im kind of off topic but does anyone know a good site to stream newly released movies online ?

[@rsclayy]

I’ve owned both.. I had a 2017 focus RS in stealth grey, now I have a 2017 Fiesta ST. After owning the focus for almost 2 years I was tired of making a payment on a terribly reliable car. Also the warranty was about to expire so I knew it was time to get rid of it before I got stuck paying for these repairs. It spent A LOT of time in shop. I never had the confidence to mod or enjoy the car and that’s a terrible feeling. Sure it may have looked better but that’s about the only thing the RS has on the fiesta. The fiesta is better in every way, especially with full bolt ons, a e30 tune and suspension upgrades. I haven’t missed my RS at all. Now I’m making half the payment I was for the RS and having twice as much driving the fiesta. Wouldn’t ever go back!

[@Intervention302]

Only spot the RS wins is in winter fun. Thats it

[@Chewygsxr]

I’ve got a 14 ST on a stage two Cobb tune, 3” exhaust, leave your motor mount, short shift kit and sticky Michlin Pilot Sport A/S 4’s, it has 90’000+ miles on it, I’m on my 6th of tires that’s how hard I drive it, and runs great, I’m 73 and have had 15 cars & 9 Motorcycles, by far this is the most fun I’ve ever had driving. The Fiesta Flash 🤙🏼🍺🍺

[@Intervention302]

Absolutely its a blast

[@simeonwasonga8710]

Long before this , I was motivated to get a new daily, once I paid off my Cobra. I got a Fiesta ST over a RS. Fun car that I’m modding tastefully. Tail of the Dragon is amazing , I went there in May!!!

[@agentk4257]

I've owned 2 fist and 1 rs. While the rs is more beautiful, the short gears of the fist made it way more fun to daily drive. I paid $16k for my 2017 maybe spent around 6 or 7k on it in mods. I can't imagine owning a different car to daily, especially for price.

[@garythecyclingnerd6219]

I'm so split. I have loved the Focus RS since it came out but the Fiesta is so much cheaper and a lot better MPG for my long commute

[@jw1714]

@@garythecyclingnerd6219 go Fiesta and mod it it’ll be the most fun you ever have with a daily

[@BurtGummerrr]

Good to hear. I'm driving a 2007 Suzuki XL7 with 150k, did the head gaskets and some other stuff which I'm hoping will give me enough time to save up for a fist if I can find one with low miles. I've never read and watched so many positive things about such an affordable car.

[@77GR1982]

The *Fiesta ST* is just a _1.6L_ which is actually faster than most cars in its category, top speed I believe is 145mph. Now with a proper tune and mods, it can take on pretty much anything given its weight to power ratio.

[@Intervention302]

The car traps maybe 98mph in the 1/4. That's not fast lol

[@77GR1982]

@@Intervention302 Again, you need to measure (consider) the car for what it is; a 1.6L @ less than 200hp with a top speed of 145mph, in that case *Mustangs* are slow too.. (lol)

[@Intervention302]

I don't care about top speed. I care about acceleration

[@77GR1982]

@@Intervention302 Acceleration alone is useless when you don't have good dynamics like the Fiesta ST does, more power (acceleration) can easily be achieved, dynamics in the other hand is a completely different story.

[@midnight347]

@@Intervention302 I highly recommend a hybrid turbo if you like the snappy feeling of the stock turbo but want alot more power. My daily is a 16 FiST I have Vt ran air snorkel feeding a cpe cai feeding my x37 turbo, depo hot side charge pipe and intercooler and I have a whoosh symposer delete and 3 inch catless dp going into a 3 inch cpe catback its 3 inch all the way with no neck down its tuned by pd tuning on e30 and vdynos like 290 whp and torque. Its just what the car needs to balance it out because when stock or bolt ons only the braking and handling far exceeds the cars acceleration. Once you do a hybrid and get up into the upper 200s it gets significantly quicker (I trapped 105 mph in 2300 da before I did the 3 inch catback) and like I said its balanced alot better. I did some weight reduction and got her down around 2600 lbs my car is a base model the lightest one you can get. Purposely got no moonroof and didnt get recaros either which I kind of regret but this trim starts out 40 lbs lighter from the jump. The hybrid loses very little spool at least the x37 does it is barely even noticeable but what is noticeable is the huge power you pick up above 4-5k. It pulls hard to 7k no problem. I've been running mine for 30k miles no issues. The hybrid keeps the overall personality of the car and feel of the car in tact while making the car alot faster for not alot of money. I paid 1000 bucks for mine used and it came with the turbo smart wga and large inlet as well as a ported stock exhaust manifold. That ported manifold may be keeping me from noticing more lag from stock by reducing the lag but I dont know that for sure. I am just like you in being saddened by the direction of cars. I'm just gonna keep my st forever and build the motor if I ever need to and just throw another cheap hybrid on it if this one ever wears out lol. May upgrade my fueling and go x47r at some point and shoot for about 350 whp on e50 that would sure be fun. But for now I love it man highly recommend a hybrid. I went from 211 whp 271 wtq on e30 stock turbo to 280/280 on the hybrid also on e30 but I also installed the catless dp at the same time but at that time I didn't have the cpe catback yet just stock 2 1/4 inch catback with resonator delete. I think it picked up power with the catback and mpg went up significantly like 3+ mpg and I check it every fill up have since new I couldn't believe just a catback made that much impact on my mpg alone but maybe it's where mine was hybrid turbo and fbo otherwise the catback may have been really bottlenecking it because a hybrid flows enough air to gain from having a 3 inch exhaust. It also felt like it spooled slightly earlier and more eagarly and I had more than a year driving time on the old setup before going with the catback so I have alot of driving with both setups. I got some videos of my car on my channel if you wanna check em out man. Also have a bolt on gt500. Btw your cobra is sick lol

[@DanDiMaggio]

Took me longer than I expected but I finally got one lol. 18 with 27k miles bone stock. Had it about 2 months now. About to tick over 31k. So far I've installed, Dizzy Stg 2 93/E30, Whoosh V3 IC, K&N drop in filter, AWR RMM, & Colder Plugs. This thing just keeps getting better and better. Next up will be pads/rotors, -1 wheel/tire setup & eventually Swift R spec springs. Even though I've had many other great sports cars I can honestly say this is the best all around fun car I've owned my a big margin.

[@SWEETVENOM100]

My friend put a s280 in it and it’s fast for what it is. I was blown away

[@williamc4353]

Great Video, I bought a 2019 Fiesta ST 6 months after buying my Edge ST... The Edge is perfect for family and hauling and I have a small business on the side so needed more cargo room but then bought the Fiesta for my daily :)

[@503redbull]

I had no idea thats the best road in the country! I live in N.C and I own a Focus ST. I have to go there soon! Great video! Dont underestimate the ST! It's fantastic when it comes to turns and corners. People need to realize that the Focus/Fiesta ST/RS is a British car

[@MegaMikeArnold]

Very awesome, straight to the points, honest and useful video. Thank you!

[@AzNightmare]

15:06 *Too bad too many idiot articles are out there talking about the Fiesta's unreliability cause the automatic transmissions are no good. It also doesn't help when they post a pic of the ST when they're talking about the base models.*

[@Intervention302]

I beat the life out of the car. Never broke. Never let me down

[@BIOHAZARDCURE]

He forgot to mention that if you do slap a bigger turbo on these cars they become a high rpm powerhouse. You lose out on that bottom end grunt but, you warp into a different zip code by fourth gear.

[@Intervention302]

Thought about it, but sold the car for a Tesla Model 3

[@MrTurbo_]

​@@Intervention302man, you really thought, let's replace one of the best driver cars on the planet with the most boring car on the planet ey?

[@jjchockey]

700lbs less weight, shorter wheelbase, shorter gearing. The fiesta ST is so nimble and fun.

[@ztzexplorer]

Nice review. Does the center console get in the way of your elbow while shifting? I've heard that complaint. By the way, Ford is still making these cars like crazy. They're just not here in the U.S. I drove around in the UK recently for 1800 miles and they're everywhere, even the newer Mk8 versions. Many of the Fiesta's are 2-door as well.

[@wedontdrivestock223]

I got a Fiesta SE and it’s so much fun. Would love to get into an ST next and get the extra 71hp and get tunes lol. But anyway here because I’m looking for the same wheels your ST has. I go to mountain roads as well and even for 120hp the Fiesta SE just handles so amazing. It’s on Raceland coilovers too and white line adjustable end links. Canyons are truly where they shine!

[@bongodave13]

Save your pennies and find an ST. You won't regret it.

[@meganjay30]

You should fit the GFB Diverter +.. it makes a huge difference without changing anything else. It holds boost for longer and makes it more responsive too.. also upgrade your ignition coils to some aftermarket ones and new OEM spark plugs, you will be surprised how much power and responsiveness fades away over time with just those few parts. Cheap but very effective IMO

[@Chris-zp6eh]

Anyone know where to find a 2018 AWD fiesta st?

[@DanDiMaggio]

No video ever does the dragon justice. I'm about 4 hours away and will make day trips just to get my fix. I've had a Focus ST, F56 Cooper S quite a few other cars and motorcycles on it. It's a rush. Found and watching this vid because I'm thinking about picking up a second hand Fiesta ST so doing my research. Thanks for the vid!

[@Intervention302]

I appreciate it man. Thanks

[@epicshade3463]

From what I have seen if your blowing up a 2 liter its A.The driver or B.You know you are pushing the motor without it having forged internals.

[@jondoe5590]

Was there a noticeable improvement when you installed the Dekagrams?

[@martingriggs9865]

My Fiesta ST is the most fun car I ever bought with money. I have owned 57 cars. Rented 100's of cars, nothing comes close for me.

[@Intervention302]

It's a blast. Can drive WOT without getting in trouble. It's so much fun in the twisties

[@ztzexplorer]

Ever owned a VW GTI? I have one from 2001, but am torn between getting a Fiesta ST or just getting a Mk6 GTI. The Fiesta ST is a little smaller, which I like, but it has a less-refined interior and only comes in 4 doors here in the USA.

[@arsmusica23]

Which head rest did you get?

[@petertewari316]

How do you like the Konig Dekagrams? Are you using spacers? What tire size are you running?

[@Intervention302]

I've since sold the FiST, but I loved the Dekagrams so much, that I even bought two different sets. No spacers. I try to remember the size, I believe it was 205/45/16

[@shortroundChris]

Do the 2018 models come with LSD from factory for US market?

[@Intervention302]

I believe so yes. Mine was a 2016

[@fougetube]

Awesome review! Great story. Hope to get out to the tail of the dragon with my fiesta.

[@NinaMango789]

Good review and cool to hear you're so close! I'm down in mass, been thinking of getting one of these for a daily when I send my speed 6 down the rabbit hole I'll be getting a hold of justin for that soon lol

[@Intervention302]

It's a great daily. Crossing 60k this week

[@laundrieshanging9077]

near or interested in e85? i went to e30, then shortly e40 and wouldnt look back..nice car.

[@NCrdwlf]

I’ve rented both and I would buy the fist . Hands down .

[@Intervention302]

Smart man

[@stevewalsh-balshaw1727]

Owned 2 focus rs mk2 1 focus rs mk 3 1 focus st now have 2017 fiesta st all brilliant butttt for road use the fiesta is no 1

[@purpleflurp6601]

Not sure what ill want after my FiST. This car ticks all my boxes and nothing comes close for the price. I WOULD get the MK8 next but Ford decided that I don’t get that choice :/

[@Intervention302]

I went Tesla Model 3

[@Camj27]

I’m looking to do the same wheel and tire set up on my FIST. What size tires are you using?

[@Intervention302]

Konig Dekagrams with 205/45/16 ECS

[@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney]

I’ve never had an opportunity to drive an RS, but I test-drove a Focus ST and a Fiesta ST back-to-back. Much to my dismay, I totally preferred the Fiesta ST! The Focus ST was a handful, a lot less enjoyable to drive, harder to see out of, and no more comfortable (they both had the Recaros). The Focus interior was nicer, but the Fiesta was certainly perfectly acceptable. I know the Focus is faster, but it doesn’t feel like it and that’s actually kinda better for me since I can have fun in it and hopefully not get hurt or in a lot of trouble. I’m pretty sure a Fiesta ST is going to be my next daily/work car. What size tire are you running on those 16”s? It looks GREAT.

[@Intervention302]

205/45/16 Conti ECS 205/50/16 RE-71R when I wanted to party

[@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney]

@@Intervention302 I did some looking around, and I can’t find that size in anything but sticky summer ultra-high-performance type tires (not great for an all-weather daily work car). Bummer, that thing looks SWEET on 16”s. I’ll still probably get one though, and run the black 17” wheels from the like 2010-ish Focus SES and something a little milder for a tire.

[@AzNightmare]

*I always tell people, buy the FiST unless you either:* *1) Need to use the backseats* *2) Want more top end power (with the risk of unreliability)*

[@shapho4056]

Did they fix the transmission issues on the 2017 and 2018?

[@Intervention302]

I beat the piss out of mine. No issues other than a little tranny Whine

[@shapho4056]

@@Intervention302 haha I'm thinking about getting a used 2017. Just worried about the transmission.

[@101francis101]

Do they have that 30mph limit on a lot of that road? Very sad to hear if that’s true - police just trying to make some money.

[@Intervention302]

30mph limit. But it's actually fairly difficult to go much more than 45mph. There are more than a handful of corners you'd need to slow down to below 30 to make.

[@arsmusica23]

Thanks for the review!!

[@2003cobramustang]

Fiesta and focus are nice cars!! My wife has a new escape with the 1.5 ecoboost great SUV!! Love driving it!

[@jaym2569]

17 fist here all you said is true, but stage 2 my car pulls strong to redline..

[@Intervention302]

Does the dyno prove that though? I saw big gains under the curve. But stock to tuned, it gained maybe 3hp from stock 5500rpm+

[@jaym2569]

I’m not a dyno guy that being said the car is way faster thru the rev range. And it pulls way stronger than stock up top..

[@riseagainst816]

@@jaym2569 if you have a stock turbo then sorry to tell you bud, you are not making more power up top

[@NikoCarsYClass]

Hello friend, greetings from Colombia. Congratulations on your ST, I have one like it in black. One question: what Bridgestone Potenza tire reference did you put on your car? Thank you

[@Intervention302]

RE71 Very sticky

[@armandolopez6302]

I think it’s definitely better than a focus st, the power to weight makes it faster when you modify, it handle better, less torque steer, etc. the focus just has more space but that’s about it.

[@Jack-b5o6r]

Great job on the review !!

[@ripF5C]

Dude I couldn’t agree more with the loud means fast thing. I was driving through my parents neighborhood after visiting, just cruising along in 2nd going maybe 20ish in a 25 and no joke same thing. Some mom with her two daughters outside runs out in the middle of the street waving at me yelling to slow down. And to make it even better she posted it via her ring doorbell, on a city-wide Facebook alert group like I’m some fucking criminal heathen lmao. The video literally shows me driving under the speed limit though so whatever 😂

[@Intervention302]

Bro I've been ther 100% Just cruising easy, super easy, in 2nd. She got mad

[@AzNightmare]

*Tesla's can be bombing it down the street and no one bats an eye. lol.*

[@huntergross5476]

Bought this car a couple months ago and I love it only thing I would do is replace the rear motor mount with an aftermarket one :) and I got the black like this one

[@garythecyclingnerd6219]

The Focus RS, as Jason Cammisa explained recently in the Know It All Series, is engineered for more RWD power than FWD. Disabling AWD because your dyno can't do AWD affted your wheel horsepower. The car is still not well suited for mods, as you mentioned. But IMO 350 BHP is just fine for a 4cyl

[@Intervention302]

It feels slow. Not much more to it than that

[@1970borntorun]

It's nice to see someone in a KZbin car review Video that actually is the proper ( Racing ) distance from the steering wheel and pedals for ultimate control, and not driving with their arms stretched out like an old man driving leisurely in his Cadillac lol

[@Intervention302]

I always sit up and tight with the steering wheel. I'm only 5-9 with shorter arms. So I never really considered it to be a racing position. But this is a truly nice compliment. Thanks man!

[@1970borntorun]

@@Intervention302 You're welcome man, and sweet Fiesta ST !! 😎

[@AlistairHig]

That loud means you're going fast comment is so true. I now have a Fiesta ST, but a few years back I had a challenger RT and it was actually halloween and all the kids and parents were out around the street. I came round a corner (from a stop!) and I was doing at most 20km/h (in Canada) and I had my windows down and I had at least 2 woman yell at me to slow down. I just gave them a weird look as though to say, REALLY?! cause I was going slower than in a damn school or park zone by 10km/h. Then as I slowly rolled further up the street, they had yelled so loud at me that every other parent up the street were now watching me drive up and giving me bad looks. Now I could come flying up there at 60km in the fiesta and people wouldn't even think it's capable of that speed lol

[@Intervention302]

100%

[@freeaolcd]

I slapped on an S280 and now it's a fast car fast 😅

[@SWEETVENOM100]

How is it now?

[@freeaolcd]

@@SWEETVENOM100 nutty

[@SWEETVENOM100]

@@freeaolcd what are honourable mention of cars that you’ve taken down. That even you were surprised

[@freeaolcd]

@@SWEETVENOM100 none, I just commute to work brotha, 280 whp, 310 wtq

[@freeaolcd]

@@SWEETVENOM100 well, I've definitely walked a few STIs/golf R/Veloster n, all from a roll obviously, but nothing was a surprise to me

[@bongodave13]

Nice!

[@meganjay30]

Every focus rs should come with a kidney belt.. 😂

[@Nicecardude100]

Race my impala. Haha there are actually quite a few of these in the St Louis area. It looks good in black 👍.

[@Intervention302]

I hate the Black haha. I wanted blue, but they only had black and white. The white was the creamy white, and not pure white like Oxford white. So black it was

[@aleckermit]

@@Intervention302 Gun metal. Looks so good w/ the red badges and seats.

[@nicholasvonrhine6311]

Dude if you want too teach a science class tell the people that speed is relative and the slowest car is faster than the fastest horse.

[@xnx304]

lovely

[@danielleroux6490]

Please call or write to Ford US Customer Relationship Center and tell them what their American customers want. If we all contact them, they'll realize it's a profitable business decision to bring the Mk8 Fiesta ST 6 speed manual transmission to the US/North American market. Wouldn't hurt to ask for the Mk4 Focus ST 6 speed manual as well! There's still a market here for these hatchbacks. Just think how many owners will be ready to trade up to the new models in the next few years, not to mention swaying potential Honda, VW, and Hyundai buyers to the more fun-to-drive Ford hot hatches. Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center P.O. Box 6248 Dearborn, MI 48126 Ford U.S. Phone: [phone]

[@JacesOwnWorld]

No, it’s not. It’s not even close to being better than the RS.

[@Intervention302]

Oh... And have you owned both?

[@SPLITTINIMAGE]

Ehhhhh I work for Ford as a Service Advisor. If you knew the track record of Fiesta ST vs Focus RS in for catastrophic mechanical failures, you’d have a change of opinion. Of 10 RS’s that come for a massive issue, you’d have 1 Fiesta ST.

[@jrag1000]

So an RS off the lot is basically an ST with RS badging? Shit

[@Intervention302]

Huh?

[@jrag1000]

@@Intervention302 oh, because the HP off the dyno was putting ST numbers, 252??

[@AzNightmare]

@@jrag1000 *What do you mean?? RS is AWD and puts around 350wtq and 300whp stock.*

[@jrag1000]

@@AzNightmare Ah, didn't know RS was AWD.

[@AzNightmare]

@@jrag1000 *Yeah.. It's a beast in comparison, lol. The problem with it compared to the Fiesta is that the RS is that most people have to drive it "Fast car slow". Unless you take it out on a track, the Fiesta ST is more fun. The RS requires more skill to handle it to it's fullest and to be honest, most people aren't able to really push it without things becoming dangerous.*

[@RobinvdTube]

Haha really? "Better then RS?" 😂

[@Intervention302]

Have you owned both? Oh ok.... The Fiesta is a better Daily

[@RobinvdTube]

@@Intervention302 Not both but I've got the RS, it's just hard to believe that a Fiesta is better 😂 But I guess the Fiesta drive's better due to its suspension 😝

[@Intervention302]

The RS is a terrible platform to modify. It's unreliable and underperforms drastically.

[@UberMervin]

@@RobinvdTube Have you driven a FiST yet?

[@steveo8533]

No, no it’s not.

[@Intervention302]

For a daily driver, the Fiesta ST is MULTIPLES better than the RS