The Pros & Cons of Daily Driving a Ford Fiesta ST

We’ve had this 2020 Ford Fiesta ST (which is owned by our good friend Chris) sitting in the garage for the last couple of the weeks while we’ve been working through a full paint correction, and ceramic coating process.
We thought we’d take the opportunity before Chris picked up the vehicle, to get his take on what it’s like to daily drive the Fiesta ST. Join us as Chris explains why he decided to purchase this vehicle, what he likes, and disliked about it after owning it for the last year.
Check out the Omni Garage website omnigarage.co.nz
#Ford #FordFiestaST #FiestaST

[@Kwarkiemodo]

This car is perfectly detailed. Very clean and polished. I got mine in silver and I love it! As for directly to start in Sport mode. Start the engine and double tap the mode button to set it in Sport and then only click away the messages and you can drive. Or if you want to start at Race mode, press 3 times the mode button after starting your engine.

[@OmniGarage]

Thank you for that information.

[@andyh5666]

Nice one. I've got same in Performance Blue in Aus (with the ST gear knob too). Stick a Milltek exhaust on it and you'll not only fill out that rear section with fatter and more agressive looking tips, but you'll get that deeper sound full time. Then add stage one tune (Mountune in my case), and the exhaust gets even better. Pops and bangs from around 1000 rpm lower than in standard form. Really happy with how these 2 mods have worked out.

[@geralddugan1918]

I have a 2019 ford Fiesta they are a bad ass car they can handle corners really good

[@karllelliott681]

Good review. Both the short shifter and roll resistor (RMM) from Mountune work great. You do get a bit more vibration through the steering wheel after fitting the RR but it's not too bad (worse than my MK7.5) but the engine momentum from the stock rubber bushing was alot worse. It's a trade off at the end of the day. The short shifter vastly improves the gear change accuracy. I don't notice the 25% less throw so much. Interestingly I get a small amount of rev hang from my MK8 too. None at all on my MK7.5.

[@alfredharrison8190]

Go with the Montune right engine mount; it makes all the difference in smooth shifting for 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears. Installing correctly does not increase vibration. I've had it on my 2016 ST (purchased new 2017) for 4 years

[@Chewygsxr]

Really interesting video, I have a 2014 Fiesta ST and was going to trade it in for this model, but Ford pulled the plug on all car sales with the exception of the Mustang, I still have my Fiesta, my mods make it awesome, Cobb stage two Tune, 3" MBPR exhaust, Cobb rear motor mount, short shift kit, sticky Michelin Pilot Sport tires, and many visual effects, it has 106,000 miles on it, I'm getting ready for my 7th set of tires, at 75 years young I love driving on three wheels, it's basically a street legal Go-Kart. The Fiesta Flash.

[@LordRahl74]

I have almost stock 2014 fist stage 2. No engine mods, bought it used for 9500 off of Craigslist back in 2018 with 29k miles. Its an awesome lill car, not comfortable for long drives, but it's great for short ones.

[@Deatomizer]

Nice looking little car

[@baronxsa]

I’ve got the same red 5 door from 2018 but with LED headlights and love it, tons of fun everyday and reasonable practicality. The only downside are the seats which become a torture after 2-3 hours of driving.

[@NB_NB_NB]

Ford's own made seats in the 2022 onwards model are much more comfortable

[@Chewygsxr]

Another thing I forgot to mention is how rare the Fiesta ST here in California, they sold mostly Focus ST's than Fiestas. More Focus owners sold there cars for a Fiesta after driving one.

[@Luftnarret]

Driving kid to school daily with it - great for school parking thanks to it's size

[@OmniGarage]

Yep small and nimble!

[@ElectroPanPipes]

I’ve just changed from a Focus RS to this. It brings a smile to my face every time! The RS was too expensive and actually a tad tame, as it’s so perfectly balanced. This thing is an aggressive little upstart 😂 I do agree, those warning messages are a pain

[@OmniGarage]

Pleased you like your car as much as we do.

[@Carlossus91]

I had the same options about the new shape but having sat in and seen mine I’ve changed my opinion, the new shape is a lot better for me and the new seats are crazy comfortable and the styling is a lot nice too. Also the new one has 30lbs more torque

[@OmniGarage]

Have you owned both generations? Interesting to note that the new seats are more comfortable!

[@Carlossus91]

@@OmniGarage no I’ve not owned both but I’ve sat in previous models seats and my friend has a RS with the same recaro seats and there pretty tight. That’s just my personal preference tho.

[@youssefkhaled9666]

30Nm*

[@andrewstevenson6540]

I've the newer one and it's the perfect car for Scottish roads and fits nicely in a garage or parking space My last Ford Fiesta was a mk2 950 popular which was total crap.

[@mgfnut]

Nice all round review. I too have a 2020 ST and agree totally with your comments. The big plus you forgot to mention is these cars are insanely good on twisty roads thanks partly to the LSD but also the excellent chassis and suspension set up.

[@jamescollins408]

You are absolutely right in saying that. For me the negatives outweighed the positives. It just didn't do relaxing or comfort. My previous generation Focus ST did in spades. That's why I was so disappointed with Fiesta ST. Gone now for good.

[@OmniGarage]

What have you both replaced the ST with?

[@jamescollins408]

@@OmniGarage With a VW Up GTi. Better 90% of the time.

[@OmniGarage]

I do like the look of a Golf GTI but never have driven one.

[@jamescollins408]

@@OmniGarage Golf GTi is just too expensive in the UK. Starts at £36k and by the time you add a few options you are up at £42k. My Focus ST was £25k but ALL hot hatches seem to have gone up by £9k. The i30 N, the Civic type R. Unaffordable! EVs even worse.

[@AdamLeask]

You hardly see these cars on the road in NZ, they're such a rare car. As far as I'm aware, we don't have a facelifted car in the country yet. Holding out to see one!

[@OmniGarage]

We haven’t seen a facelift either (and nor has Chris). Pretty rare even for this model to be seen on the road here.

[@bat33.12]

Not sure about NZ but Australia are getting 50 or so of the new Mk8.5 facelifted ST but they are the very last ones Ford will sell in Australia.

[@bongodave13]

Yank, here. You guys are lucky. We got the Mk7 until '19, and only as a 5-door. Never saw the Mk8. 😭

[@Szcza04]

Wish they had this in the USA still

[@danielsimpson6156]

nice video and love then Red !! i have a 2020 ST in black but have Revo stage 2 + miltek ... sounds incredible now with the turbo whoooosh and pops n bangs. if you guys ever in Auckland feel free to say hello :)

[@OmniGarage]

Cheers Daniel, we’re in the BOP so not too far away! Cheers for dropping a comment.

[@greensocks4507]

I put a deposit down on the 'new' Fiesta ST Mk 8.5 back in April '22 with Ford NZ, indent only as you're no doubt aware. Timeframe might be 6 months or so they said as the car is ordered and then Ford build it over there in Cologne . Been a few delays but I was informed a few weeks ago that the car has been built ( Hurrah! ) and awaiting shipment. Unfortunately of course, it's the wrong time of the year but I should see it in the first quarter. No worries. My guy at Ford also asked if I was aware that they've ceased production of them now. I had heard the rumours but obviously the model no longer features on the official Ford NZ website so, that's it, all over. I wonder how many other new Mk8.5's are coming into this country ? He went on to say that recently he's had quite a few enquiries from people trying to put a deposit down on a new ST, outgoing, and , unfortunately he's had to give them the bad news. One guy evidently is off to the UK soon and is going to try and grab one over there and ship it back. Evidently they're not heading south over there, price wise so, good luck to him. Interesting.Hopefully I may not have too many concerns about value retention ! It seemed and still seems to me to be a lot of car for the money. Especially looking at the price of the new 120N which is about 20% more out of the showroom. Looking forward to my 'Mean Green' ST arriving and thanks for the video. Just subscribed.

[@OmniGarage]

No problem pleased you enjoy our content! Enjoy your new car and let us know what you think of it.

[@Slipperystick73]

I think the new Ford performance seats looks better on the updated model. The Fist is a great car not matter what model you get

[@OmniGarage]

I haven’t seen them in person, but I can definitely vouch that these Recaro’s were fantastic!

[@bongodave13]

Agreed. Any FiST, any model year, is a joy to drive. They will be beloved cars for years to come. A future cult classic.

[@user-xq2lp7do8w]

I love my 2017

[@eddy0803]

The ST actually came out in the UK in 2018, that's what year mine is.

[@SuperfluousNZ]

Ah true, yeah we only got it in NZ late 2019, and as mentioned, only the ST3. Lucky us!

[@vellymagagula6490]

At least you guys in Aus and Nz get the car, here in South Africa we aren't getting the Fiesta mk8 ST not even the ST line. We aren't even getting the Focus mk4. In fact we aren't getting any facelifted versions of these either. Very very sad

[@OmniGarage]

It rather surprising how wide spread the difference are between what specs you can get. But that is a shame your not getting any of them. What car will you go for instead.

[@vellymagagula6490]

@@OmniGarage I just bought the normal fiesta mk8 trend as it's the only new fiesta we have. Planning on upgrading to a very low mileage focus st mk3.5 in 2 years if I can find one.

[@NB_NB_NB]

I can enable Sport mode immediately, and the seatbelt notifications go out after a minute or so, but mine is a 2023 model

[@OmniGarage]

Good to know.

[@moshadey1978]

My 2021 fiesta ST un modified is misfiring badly, boost issues going in for warranty work. Good fun car but not without cremlins.

[@PB-zv7zx]

ASR module if you want open valves permanently mate ;)

[@SuperfluousNZ]

Ooh ok I'll look into it, cheers!

[@PB-zv7zx]

You’re welcome !

[@bretthousman8317]

Are you supposed to throttle through wheel hop?

[@OmniGarage]

👍

[@NikesZ28]

Wheel hop is not good for the the transmission or the clutch, too many times and one of them might just "blow up" Seen it happen several times, not in a ST.

[@c00lm1nt]

Are you sure that's an ST3? I thought ST3s had full led lights as standard..

[@jamesfox7721]

Not on the mk8.Its standard on the mk8.5

[@c00lm1nt]

@@jamesfox7721 the mk8.5 st3 has the new matrix LEDs, which are yet different from the mk8 full LED..

[@jamesfox7721]

@@c00lm1nt That's correct,I've already had a mk8 st3,and it did not have LED lights they were an option,650 pounds.

[@andyh5666]

Both Australia and NZ only got the one version (body and trim) - the 4 door ST3 with all the fruit, but with the one curious ommission - no full matrix LED's.

[@jamesfox7721]

@@andyh5666 We can't get the Sunroof here in the UK,I ordered it but was told I could not get it due to chip shortage.

[@Chappers.Gaming]

The red dosn't look that bad.. I have always said Nahh cos it's the free paint options in the UK..

[@OmniGarage]

We had a huge debate over whether this was more orange or red!

[@Chappers.Gaming]

@@OmniGarage what is your thoughts on the debate?

[@OmniGarage]

Chris is adamant it’s red, however we were leaning toward more of an orange. It depends on the lighting conditions.

[@Chappers.Gaming]

@@OmniGarage I can agree with both sides on my MK7.5 ST... It was pure red, then at night in some light it looked orange but in the day it was bright red, unles you look at it in a werid angle / light but most of the time it's red

[@Lenoch_]

Mountune is very likely Ford-approved, warranty intact

[@OmniGarage]

👍

[@karllelliott681]

Nope! The MK7 was (MP215 STG 1) but the MK8 is not. Progress I guess?

[@alanpercival6428]

1 LITRE ECO- BOOM

[@OmniGarage]

🚘

[@KenanRaptor]

fiesta st always is manual

[@rc70ys]

Puma St Line are made in Romania and NOT Germany.

[@OmniGarage]

Good to know

[@yahtadi5152]

What are you talking about? it looks awesome, better than that KIA. Jezuz

[@OmniGarage]

Better than a Kia for sure!

[@truthseeker8483]

Must cost a lot to run.....can't afford socks....😁

[@OmniGarage]

Ankle socks my friend 👌

[@truthseeker8483]

@@OmniGarage 🙂

[@jamescollins408]

Thank you Omni garage for the ❤️s. If you buy a car at 3 years old, you are looking at new tyres £200 a corner. Possibly clutch replacement if abused. Maybe shocks. Discs and pads all round. I've been there with 3 year old cars. Admittedly you need to have the cash for a deposit for a PCP but you get a brand new vehicle that no one else has abused. You do have to hand it back in good condition or there are penalties. I don't hash my car's but I wouldn't have wanted to buy any of the cars I have ran from new on PCP. Generally they have been superceded or the opposition has moved on. It's a personal choice.

[@glenradford4124]

I like my 2022 facelift look much better, glad I waited for the newer look.

[@OmniGarage]

What are your thoughts on the new seats on the 2022 model?

[@glenradford4124]

@@OmniGarage very good lots of adjustments with heated seats.

[@jamesfox7721]

Yes I agree with you,I had a 2019 plate and now just waiting on my new mean green st3 coming soon,the subtle changes make it a better car than the mk8,and the seats are more comfortable to.

[@OmniGarage]

Good seats are key 👌🏻

[@leonohlinger3237]

@@jamesfox7721 when did you order yours? I ordered late november 2021 and still have no info about the delivery or even building date😅

[@jamescollins408]

The problem with this car is that Ford gave it to a battery of motoring journalists and sent them off around a track. It's a fantastic track car, but it's not so good as a daily driver, despite what Chris Harris said in a Top Gear review! If you drive it in normal, throttle response is non-existant. Switch to sport or track and it doesn't shut down one cylinder. You can either have economy or throttle response but not both at the same time. Also in the cut and thrust of driving you have to reach down and press mode twice and by then the moment has passed. I'm trying to give potential future drivers/owners a realistic view of what driving/owning the Fiesta ST will entail. The new version has the sport button on the steering wheel, where it should always have been. The ride is brittle on potholed scarred urban streets. Tyres gripped like a limpet, except in winter (summer tyres) but the edges were worn away by 10,000 miles. Seats too small. Only comes alive on a track in the hands of an experienced driver, in my humble opinion.

[@OmniGarage]

Some great insights here, I’m sure many prospective buyers will get some great value out of your thoughts and experiences. Just for clarity, which model did/do you have?

[@jamescollins408]

@@OmniGarage I had the 2019 ST3 with the performance pack + most options except pan roof which just adds unnecessary weight to the roof of the car. 197bhp 3 cylinder.

[@jamescollins408]

@@OmniGarage It's so that prospective owners are aware that they are not getting an all-round package. It's a track focused/honed car and doesn't do comfort, which you do want at least some of the time. Badly needs adaptive dampers but they would have added about £1k to the price, and not an option anyway. Cars like Golf R and RS3 can be specified with these.

[@OmniGarage]

I guess having a large rang of different vehicles means that you can buy one that suits your wants/ needs.

[@jamescollins408]

@@OmniGarage I don't know how the UK compares to any other country with regard to choice of vehicles on sale. As far as the UK goes it's either the Fiesta ST or the i20 N in this category of car. (c£25,000). Go up a segment and you are looking at £35K+. The Focus ST, Honda Civic type R, Golf GTi, i30 N. There is the VW Polo GTi but while it's competent it's just not a car that comes across as desirable! ...and it's too expensive going over £27K with a few options like reversing camera which isn't standard. So there you have it.

[@smithjones2488]

This guy is bare salty that he couldn’t afford the 8.5. Instead he gets a high mileage preface lift. With a prehistoric analog dash. No way is the Mk 8 a better looking or better equipped ST3 than the Mk 8.5 😂😂😂

[@jamescollins408]

I ran one of these from 2019 - 2022. Driven in Edinburgh, Scotland. Couldn't wait to get rid of it! You'll get nowhere near 6.5 secs 0-60mph unless you are a racing driver. Seats are dreadful. Result in backache and pinched hips. Acceleration in 'normal' is non existent. Suspension is rubbish unless you are on a racetrack. It skips and bounces along normal roads and you don't feel connected to the tarmac. I could go on and on. Replaced it with an Up GTi which is better 90% of the time. 10% is when you are on a track. I previously ran a Focus ST 2015 - 2019. Night and day. That was a fantastic car. Be very wary of the Fiesta ST. It is not a daily driver. It is a track car.

[@jonathantaylor3750]

Couldn’t wait to get rid of it but drove it for 3 years, that stacks up

[@jamescollins408]

@@jonathantaylor3750 it was a PCP. Original value c£25K. Future anticipated value after 3 years £10,850. Actual value at trade in £21k.

[@jamescollins408]

@iNSTAGiB but it's much more fun in the real world away from a track.

[@karllelliott681]

I understand that mileage varies with every owner but ..... I have a Mk7.5 & Mk8 FiST. Used to own a Mk3.5 FoST with many mods. Not sure about 0-60 as I never worry about that. I am 55 and whilst I like a lively drive once in a while I am not too bothered with a mild to hot hatch. My Mk8 is an edition so has the V3 coilovers which are unbelievably good on road. Never used it on track as it's really my wife's car. Acceleration is fine in normal mode but much better (responsive) in Sport mode. I agree on the seats they take time to loosen up and until then they can pinch you a bit. Depends on your body size & shape too. The Mk7's are much better. Never tried the Mk8.5 but they are supposed to be great. I don't (subjectively) like their looks though. The FoST never handled as well as either on my FiST's do TBH.

[@jamescollins408]

@@karllelliott681 Balanced, well constructed, informative comment.

[@ashleychambers7602]

Those wheels are ghastly

[@OmniGarage]

🛞

[@easymoney2037]

ford broken everytime

[@OmniGarage]

What does that mean?

[@alanpercival6428]

Ford trying to make it look like an aston martin. Stupid tv screen that dont move or fold away, rubbish buy a mk 6 st

[@OmniGarage]

🤷‍♂️