Fiesta ST beats Fiat 500 Abarth and Mini Cooper S in Hot Hatch Competition

[Mark B. Morrow]

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/2014-ford-fiesta-st-vs-2014-fiat-500-abarth-2014-mini-cooper-s-hardtop-comparison-test

 

Judged by speed, dynamics, and practicality, the Fiesta ST is the clear winner here. Unlike the 500 Abarth and the Coop­er S, the Fiesta behaves and moves like a far more expensive sports sedan. It’s a car that’s been utterly transformed to our taste.

[bzcat]

Fiesta ST continues to be the performance bargain of this century. Ford did everything right in this car, including selling in the US without diluting the character.

[baggs32]

Hold on, they give points for the cars having rebates available? Shouldn't it be the other way around so as to benefit the car that's more in demand?

[akirby]

Hold on, they give points for the cars having rebates available? Shouldn't it be the other way around so as to benefit the car that's more in demand?

 

Not really - lower price is better all things being equal. Of course they already account for price as tested which should include rebates already. It does say rebates/extras.

 

In the end though it's still just a stupid magazine comparison. Don't try to assign logic.

[Deanh]

Hold on, they give points for the cars having rebates available? Shouldn't it be the other way around so as to benefit the car that's more in demand?

problem is, its not really moving as well as you would think...and theres NO wiggle room, so the EXPECTED discount is assisted with said rebate.

[30 OTT 6]

I can fit my set of 175 cm skiis diagonally into the back of my Focus hatchback with the rear seats folded down. Does anybody know if it is possible can fit a pair of skiis into the back of a Fiesta hatchback?

Edited October 21, 2014 by 30 OTT 6

[OHV 16V]

...In the end though it's still just a stupid magazine comparison. Don't try to assign logic.

 

Indeed. I'm still puzzled at why they included a 500 in this test to begin with. I guess that true, it does fit into the price metric, but as I (and many others) have stated before: the 500 isn't really in the same size class as the Fiesta and the Mini, it's an A-Segment vehicle. Its more direct competition comes from the Chevrolet Spark. If Chevrolet manufactured one, a "Spark RS" would be a more fitting comparison to the Abarth.

 

In the Abarth's place here should be the Sonic RS. Granted, it wouldn't change the results any, as the Sonic is even slower than the Abarth, but at least the vehicle would be in the same size class.