Ford Fiesta ST200 vs Mini Cooper S road test

The Ford Fiesta ST is an excellent scorching hatch, delivering maybe the best real-world driver-focused thrills this facet of £25,000. 

And Ford has has constructed upon that unimaginable platform with a brand new range-topping mannequin known as the ST200.

And after we say range-topper, we imply it.

The brand new and extra highly effective Fiesta ST200 is now within the realms of Mini Cooper S costs, such because the one on this well-stocked Chili Media XL guise. So has Ford bitten off greater than it could chew by coming into Mini's premium hatch territory?

Robust process: The brand new Fiesta ST200 (left) prices £22,745, which is nearly the identical as a mid-spec Mini Cooper S (proper). However has it bitten off greater than it could chew by going head-to-head with Mini's extra premium scorching hatch?

It's not laborious to see why the Mini claims premium standing within the steel. The funky-looking Cooper S is a charismatic factor and, inside, has a decidedly BMW-grade inside. High quality is excessive and the controls are strong and crisp. 

It makes use of BMW's glorious iDrive infotainment system as effectively, which is nearly peerless in its readability and performance. Chuck in a sportily low driving place and the Mini takes a fast lead on this twin take a look at.

The Fiesta can't match it for high quality. It does, nevertheless, maybe predictably topple the Mini for practicality. 

It seats 5, has an even bigger boot and is usually roomier and simpler to make use of. It has an excellent set of sports activities seats too, which outclass the Mini's.

The dealing with of the Fiesta ST200 lives as much as the purposeful really feel of those Recaro seats. It's merely good, with great accuracy, a splendidly prepared chassis, excellent physique management and the power to easily get higher and higher the sooner you go. It's an distinctive chassis that's ever-entertaining and intuitive.

The mini has go-kart-like steering, however the handing finesse declines as your pace will increase

For those who're seeking to purchase a automobile that depreciates slowly and features a excessive return of your preliminary outlay in the case of promote, there are fewer higher automobiles than a Mini hatchback

The Mini is enjoyable too, with kart-like steering and sharp agility. The difficulty is, it turns into much less spectacular as you go sooner. The physique leans extra, the entrance finish washes large. It merely doesn't have the depths of the ST200.

It does experience marginally extra easily, though we will't assist however suppose that is extra right down to the optionally available adaptive dampers fitted to our take a look at automobile. 

Neither automobile is especially serene on the town, and neither is all that hushed at pace. Saying that, the Fiesta most likely edges it for general refinement on the motorway.

The Mini Cooper S inside is the higher of the 2 when it comes to luxuriousness and end high quality 

The Ford Fiesta ST200 inside feels racy sufficient, with flashes on titanium-effect supplies laced throughout the dashboard and centre console

The Ford is quicker in the actual world too, courtesy of its well-judged gear ratios. 

The gearbox can also be unbelievable and the engine is basically eager to rev. The Mini is initially sooner off the road however its imprecise, notchy gearbox quickly lets it down. The gear ratios are extra long-legged as effectively, which barely dulls its quick-wittedness.

Each will price comparable quantities to run. The Mini might maintain its worth higher, however the Fiesta offsets this benefit with larger seller reductions. They're equally inexpensive on finance, and tools ranges are effectively matched.

Over £22,000 for a Ford Fiesta sounds extortionate, however that is in contrast to any regular Fiesta - it absolutely warrants its range-topping tagline

By way of practicality, efficiency and cruising capabilities, the Ford wins this battle. And if you cannot afford the dear ST200, a typical ST mannequin will ship virtually all the identical perks

So all of it comes right down to driver attraction. And right here, it's the sheer brio of the Fiesta that sees it steal the lead. It's merely extra enjoyable to drive, which is precisely what persons are searching for in a scorching hatch.

Positive, the Mini has a nicer cabin, but it surely's back-road blastability that consumers actually need with these automobiles. And right here, the Fiesta is the higher automobile.

There's an additional bonus within the Fiesta's favour too. If the ST200 is simply too costly for you, check out the less expensive ST-2 different. It's rather less highly effective and isn't as effectively geared up, but it surely's in any other case an identical and each however as a lot enjoyable. 

Sorry Mini, however you actually can't go unsuitable with Ford's ever-fine pocket-rocket. 

FORD FIESTA ST200 VS MINI COOPER S

FORD FIESTA ST200

Rating: 1st

Ranking:

Engine dimension: 1.6-litre, petrol, turbo

Checklist value: £22,745

Goal Value: £19,568

Energy: 197bhp

Torque: 213lb ft

Zero-62mph: 7.2sec

High pace: 142mph

Official gas financial system: 46.3mpg

True MPG: 39.6mpg

CO2 emissions: 140g/km

 MINI COOPER S CHILLI MEDIA XL

Rating: 2nd

Ranking:

Engine dimension: 2.Zero-litre, petrol, turbo

Checklist value: £22,780

Goal Value: £21,511

Energy: 189bhp  

Torque: 207lb ft

Zero-62mph: 6.8sec

High pace: 146mph

Official gas financial system: 49.6mpg

True MPG: 37.2mpg

CO2 emissions: 133g/km

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