Drive with us: 2021 Ford Fiesta ST-Line Review

Join us as we take a closer look at the Ford Fiesta ST-Line, arguably one of Britain’s best-loved hatchbacks

For 47 years, the Ford Fiesta was one of Britain's best-loved hatchbacks — in hot hatch form, with mild-hybrid efficiency thrown in for good measure. What's not to love?

And don't worry, being a hybrid didn't mean it lost its fun. It still had six gears and a proper gearstick. No automatic gears around here.

But it operated in a fiercely competitive market. 

The Volkswagen Polo, Vauxhall Corsa, Toyota Yaris and SEAT Ibiza were all snapping at its heels — and they weren't going anywhere quietly either.

Here's the thing though: the small hatchback class was already changing. 

The 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars was, and still is, reshaping the entire segment, with manufacturers pivoting towards electric and hybrid alternatives.

Ford took that decision early, discontinuing the entire Fiesta range in July 2023 — making way for a new era of EVs, including the Ford Explorer and the reimagined Ford Capri.

An icon, gone. But not forgotten. It's still largely popular in the second-hand market.

So, what was the Fiesta ST-Line truly like in its prime? Did it live up to the hot hatch name?

Let's find out.

What we drove

Model: Ford Fiesta ST-Line Edition

Body style: Hatchback

Power: Petrol hybrid (1.0L EcoBoost)

Transmission: Six-speed manual

Colour: Freedom Blue

OTR from: £19,845 (inc. VAT)

Specifications correct at the time of publication.

Or watch our video review over on YouTube:

Small but mighty

The Ford Fiesta ST-Line truly lived up to the hot hatch name in its prime, just with a more refined approach.

Filled with angular creases and curves, it had that genuine Fiesta feel — purposeful, sporty and unmistakably Ford.

The rear was chunkier than the front, giving it a pleasingly bulky stance. The body-coloured rear spoiler finished the look off perfectly, keeping that hot hatch energy alive right to the back bumper.

It looked and felt the part.

The 2022 facelift only made things better — a more aggressive front end, a larger honeycomb grille and LED headlights as standard. An already hot hatchback, made that bit hotter.

Sadly, the Fiesta was discontinued in July 2023 to make room for Ford's growing EV lineup. 

But its legacy is strong, and it remains as beloved in the second-hand market as it ever was on the forecourt.

Hot hatch vibes, inside and out

Step inside, and the sporty hot hatch vibes continued.

Sports-style seats offered great support and comfort throughout, and the blend of materials (carbon fibre plastics across the dash and a black felt roof lining) gave it a characterful, sporty edge that punched well above its price point.

Creature comforts were well catered for too. 

Heated seats and steering wheel were an optional extra, which on a cold British morning always feel less like a luxury and more like a necessity.

On the technology front, the touchscreen was a touch dull — the colours lacked vibrancy and it felt dated compared to some rivals. The software itself was intuitive and easy to use though, with well laid-out menus that didn’t leave you hunting through sub-sections. 

And refreshingly, there were separate physical buttons for climate control. 

In a world where minimalism trumps and you have to dig through sub-menus just to turn your hazards on, that's still worth celebrating.

The 2022 facelift improved things further, introducing a 12.3-inch digital cockpit that brought the interior well and truly up to date.

Space was generous for a small hatchback. 

Leg and headroom were good for the class, and the 311-litre boot was more than enough for your gym kit, the weekly shop or a spontaneous trip to IKEA. 

It was bigger than it looks — much like the Fiesta itself.

Six gears of pure joy

Put your foot down and the Fiesta felt similar to the Ford Puma — big presence, good handling and a smooth drive.

The engine wasn’tthe punchiest in the lineup, and at 0-62mph in 9.4 seconds, it wasn’t going to win any drag races. 

But it was more than capable at typical motorway speeds, transitioned well between gears, and road noise was pretty competitive for the class — the engine hissing as you worked through the gears was really the only gripe.

Road noise though? Pretty competitive for its class.

Handling was agile and smooth, while the suspension soaked up bumps well despite a slightly firm ride.

Fuel economy was its strongest suit. That mild-hybrid technology eked out every drop of fuel, putting it ahead of many rivals in this price range.

Sipping fuel, not guzzling it

The mild-hybrid technology in the Fiesta ST-Line included a 48-volt starter/generator that aided efficiency by up to 9% — and over time, those savings really added up.

Official fuel economy sat at up to 56.5mpg, which was seriously impressive for a sporty hatchback. Cylinder deactivation assisted further, conserving fuel and keeping your money where it belongs: in your wallet.

This put it comfortably ahead of many rivals in its class for efficiency. And with mild-hybrid tech, there was no plugging in, no worrying about charging. Just fill it up and go.

What's good, and what's not

It earned its legendary status for a reason. But no car is perfect — here's the honest take.

The good bits:

• Affordable entry point into a premium-feeling hatchback
• Mild-hybrid tech meant no plugging in — just fill up and go
• Agile, smooth handling with a confidence-inspiring drive
• Impressive fuel economy, up to 56.5mpg

The not-so-good bits:

• Engine hissing through the gears
• 0-62mph in 9.4 seconds — not the quickest in class
• Taller passengers above six feet were a little cramped on longer journeys
• Discontinued in 2023 — can no longer be leased new

What's the verdict?

From the moment you stepped inside, you understood why the Fiesta was so beloved.

Ford managed to combine a reliable, assured drive with a comfortable and welcoming interior — all while keeping those hot hatch credentials firmly intact. Generous kit as standard, a feel that punches well above its price point, and fantastic value for money throughout.

And with mild-hybrid technology eking out every last mile from a tank of fuel, the Fiesta did its very best to keep your money where it belongs.

It was discontinued in July 2023 after 47 years of production — and the fact it's still so fondly remembered says everything about what Ford built. An icon, through and through.

Top 5 reasons to consider the Ford Fiesta ST-Line

1. Sporty ST-Line looks that punch well above their price point
2. Agile, smooth handling with a genuinely fun drive
3. Impressive fuel economy. Up to 56.5mpg thanks to mild-hybrid tech
4. 311-litre boot – it’s bigger than it looks
5. Generous kit as standard offers fantastic value for money throughout the range

Would we recommend leasing a Ford Fiesta ST-Line?

If we could, we would. But after 47 years of production, Ford discontinued the Fiesta in 2023 — meaning your only option right now is the second-hand market.

The good news? It might not be goodbye forever.

In December 2025, Ford announced a platform-sharing alliance with Renault, which opens the door for a new electric Fiesta — potentially arriving as soon as 2028.

It'll be built on the same AmpR Small architecture as the Renault 5, but designed and tuned to be distinctly Ford in character.

Think sharper styling, Ford's trademark handling DNA, and (if the rumour mill is to be believed) possibly even a hot ST variant based on the Alpine A290.

We'd truly welcome a Fiesta nostalgia hit.

In the meantime, why not take a look at what Ford does have on offer for your next lease?