Drive with us: 2021 Ford Fiesta ST-Line Review

This sporty hot hatch remains just as punchy with hybrid efficiency

The mighty Ford Fiesta is Britain’s best-selling car. Currently in its seventh generation, it's still going as strong as ever and now boasts mild-hybrid technology for greater fuel efficiency.

Once known for being the go-to hot hatch, the Fiesta competes against the likes of the Volkswagen Polo, Vauxhall Corsa, Toyota Yaris and the SEAT Ibiza.

Boasting a reliable drive, practical space and affordable running costs, the Fiesta is an efficient and sensible choice for your next car lease.

With such strong competition in the hatchback sector, we’re testing out this 1.0L ST-Line Edition to see how it fares.  

What did we drive?

Model Line: Fiesta 1.0i ST-Line Edition E/Boost (100PS)

Transmission: Six-speed manual

Power: Petrol/Hybrid

Colour: Freedom Blue

Wheels: 17inch 5-spoke Rock Metallic Light Alloy wheels

OTR from: £16,645

Price of model driven: £19,845

*Prices correct at the time of publication

Price

Because of the quite simply ridiculous number of trim levels Ford offer, there's a very affordable route into the Fiesta lineup. If you want to drive away in a brand new car for a competitive price, the entry-level Trend is priced at £16,645.

This is a sizeable discount on the next available trim level - the Titanium - which will set you back at least £19,145. If you're after the range-topping ST-3 trim, prices start from £24,580.

Both the Vauxhall Corsa and SEAT Ibiza will cost more for entry-level models, meanwhile the former will also surpass the Fiesta when it comes to the top-spec models at just short of £26,000.

This makes the Fiesta a very cost-effective option in the hatchback class. If you would like to lower your costs even further, Carparison's Ford lease deals create a fixed monthly payment for a more affordable driving experience. 

Engine Options

Depending on the trim level you choose, you have a variety of engine options to choose from, as outlined below;

• 1.1 Ti‑VCT 75 PS (55 kW) – Available on Trend
• 1.0 Ford EcoBoost 100 PS (74 kW) – Available on Trend, Titanium, Active Edition & ST-Line Edition
• 1.0 Ford EcoBoost Hybrid 125 PS (92 kW) – Available on all editions except ST-2 & ST-3
• 1.0 Ford EcoBoost Hybrid 125 PS (92 kW) – Available on all editions except Trend, ST-2 & ST-3
• 1.0 Ford EcoBoost Hybrid 155 PS (114kW) – Available on all editions except Trend, ST-2 & ST-3
• 1.5 Ford EcoBoost 200 PS (147 kW) – Available on only ST-2 & ST-3

Drive

The Fiesta was a very easy car to drive. This may not come as a great surprise, but it felt very similar to what we experienced in our recent Ford Puma review.

The 100PS engine that our Fiesta was powered by is by no means the punchiest in its lineup and if I had to recommend one, I’d say choose the upgraded 125PS option.

One of the strengths of the Fiesta lineup is the variety in engines, so there are options for everyone. This 100PS was powerful enough for your typical motorway speeds, but there are some obvious upgrades by choosing the beefier engines. The six-speed manual gearbox was good and transitioned well between the gears.

It wasn’t the quietest engine we’ve ever experienced. You hear some of its hissing as you progress through the gears, but otherwise, the outside noise is very competitive for this class.

The handling is nice and agile, but also very smooth at the same time - almost reminiscent of what we witnessed during our Abarth 595 review. Ride quality is slightly firm, but the Fiesta’s suspension does deal with humps and bumps well.

Where the Fiesta did strive was its fuel economy, which, thanks to the hybrid technology was impressive.

This is a real feather in the cap for the Fiesta and one that puts it ahead of many of the typical hatchbacks you might consider in this price range. 

Design & Interior

You’ve got the option to make the Fiesta look as sporty as you desire, dependent on the trim level you choose.

We were driving the ST-Line edition, which certainly lives up to the hot hatch nature, with a more refined approach. There are lots of angular creases and curves that give it that typical Fiesta feel.

The rear of the vehicle is chunkier than the front and generally quite bulky, but the body-coloured rear spoiler does round off its sporty look.

Our Fiesta came in Freedom Blue, which really did grow on me throughout our review and made a nice change from the more common Fiesta colour choices you might see on the roads.

Ford have once again provided a very comfortable cabin. The sports-style seats offer a tremendous amount of support at all angles. The cabin is not the most detailed when compared against some of its rivals, but there are some nice touches of character dotted throughout.

There’s a nice blend of materials that ensure the cabin doesn’t feel cheap, including carbon fibre plastics that run across the dash, while the black felt roof gives it a nice sporty edge.

Space & Practicality

As hatchbacks go, the Fiesta is a competitive option when it comes to practicality. Legroom in the rear is generous for this class, with a suitable amount of headroom too.

Taller passengers above six feet may feel a little cramped over longer journeys, but for a small family, the Fiesta could be a great choice for your next car lease.

You could carry three passengers in the back if required. The middle seat is comfortable and the transmission tunnel is a reasonable size to contend with.

The official boot capacity is 311L, but it’s bigger than it seems and is more than good enough for everyday family life. If space is key to you, choose a Seat Ibiza lease for just over 350L of space.

Storage opportunities throughout the Fiesta are just enough at best. You have a competitive-sized glovebox, but the door bins aren’t much to write home about.

Technology

The Fiesta’s touchscreen is lacking vibrance. The colours are dull so it gives the impression of quite a dated system.

However, the software itself is very good. It’s easy to use and has been designed with usability in mind.

The menus are well laid out and you won’t find yourself getting lost in sub-sections. Meanwhile, the separate physical buttons for your climate control are a nice touch.

If technology is important for you, keep an eye out for the new 2022 Ford Focus, which includes an improved touchscreen. Hopefully, we’ll see similar changes made to the Fiesta in the future.

In terms of connectivity, you have a 12V socket in the front with a USB port alongside it and another in the armrest. If you’re planning to use the Fiesta as a family car, you’re going to have to do without any connectivity in the rear – or buy a long charging cable for the armrest!

Our Fiesta also came with heated front seats and steering wheel – an optional extra via the Comfort Pack – which was a godsend on these cold autumnal mornings.

Safety

One of the major benefits of Ford leasing is the number of safety features that come fitted as standard.

Every edition of the Fiesta comes with the same safety features, including Hill Start Assist, ABS, Airbags, ISOFIX and more.

Adaptive Cruise Control comes as standard on the Vignale Edition but is only available as an extra via the Exclusive Pack on select trims. Meanwhile, a rear-view camera is another useful extra that is available through the Driver Assistance Pack on select trims.

Model Lines & Equipment

The Ford Fiesta range can be confusing, if not a little overwhelming, so allow us to break it down for you as best we can.

There are six editions of the Fiesta; the Trend, Titanium, ST-Line, Active, Vignale and ST. Four of the six also have sub-variants that offer further styling upgrades.

Trend

• 16" 8-spoke alloy wheels in Rock Metallic finish
• Electrically-operated and heated door mirrors with
• Side indicators, and body colour housings
• Adjustable Speed Limiter
• Lane Keeping Alert & Lane Keeping Aid
• Auto Headlamps
• Ford SYNC with 8" touchscreen
• Manual air conditioning
• Rear seatbelt minder

Titanium & Titanium X

(In addition/replacement to Trend)

• 16" 10-spoke alloy wheels in Sparkle Silver finish on Titanium
• 17" 8-spoke alloy wheels in Sparkle Silver finish on Titanium X
• Contoured, sports-style front seats
• Power foldable door mirrors with puddle lamps on Titanium X
• Rain sensing wipers
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Ford SYNC 3 Navigation with 8" touchscreen
• B&O Premium Audio System on Titanium X
• Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC) on Titanium X

Vignale

(In addition to Titanium/Titanium X)

• 17" 10-spoke alloy wheels in Luster Nickel finish
• Unique Vignale mesh upper grille with chrome surround
• Front door scruff plates with unique Vignale script
• Adaptive Cruise Control (includes Adjustable Speed Limiter)
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Rear view camera
• Heated front seats and steering wheel
• Door edge protectors

Active & Active X Editions

(In addition to Trend)

• 17" 5-spoke alloy wheels in Rough Metal finish on Active Edition
• 18" 5-spoke alloy wheels in Shadow Black finish on Active X Edition
• Rough road suspension including increased ride height (18 mm additional ground clearance)
• Rugged bodystyling kit with Active front wing badges
• Five Selectable Drive Modes: Normal, Eco, Slippery, Trail and Sport (Normal, Eco, Slippery with 1.0L EcoBoost 100 PS)
• Black roof rails on Active Edition & silver finish roof rails on Active X Edition
• Ford SYNC 3 Navigation with 8" touchscreen
• B&O Premium Audio System on Active X Edition
• Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC) on Active X Edition

ST-Line and ST-Line X Editions

(In addition/replacement to Trend)

• 17" 5x2-spoke alloy wheels in Rock Metallic Light finish on ST-Line Edition
• 18" 5-spoke alloy in Rock Metallic machined finish on ST-Line X Edition
• Sports-tuned suspension
• Sports-style front seats
• ST-Line upper grille & full bodystyling kit
• Large body coloured rear spoiler
• SYNC 3 Navigation with 8" touchscreen
• B&O Premium Audio System on ST-Line X Edition
• Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC) on ST-Line X Edition

ST-2 and ST-3

(In addition/replacement to ST-Line Edition)

• 17" 5-spoke (ST-2) and 18" 5-spoke (ST-3) machined finish alloys
• Dual chrome exhaust
• Unique ST front grille
• Unique ST rear bumper with diffusor
• Unique ST suspension
• Recaro sports seats
• Leather-trimmed 3-spoke, sports style steering wheel
• Performance pack with Quaife Limited Slip Differential on ST-3
• B&O Premium Audio System on ST-3
• Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC) on ST-3

*Model lines correct at the time of publication

Verdict

We wanted to have a greater understanding of what makes the Ford Fiesta so popular and from the moment you set foot inside, you understand why. 

Ford have done a fantastic job of combining a reliable and assuring drive, with a comfortable and welcoming interior. Everything about the Fiesta just works.

Whether you're using it as a family car or leasing for the first time as a younger driver, it's more than suitable. With a generous amount of kit as standard and plenty of choice throughout the Fiesta range, this is a car lease that is guaranteed to offer fantastic value for money. 

Interested in Ford leasing? Browse our latest personal Ford Fiesta lease deals and business contract hire offers.