i20N - Reviews, General Discussion & Info

[R Veloster N]

Personally, I thought the previous ST's were gutless compared, to even the Hyundai Kona. Just my personal impression as an owner, even after adding; a Cobb Tuner, Cobb Exhaust, Cobb Intake and various other performance upgrades. Just didn't have the performance the 1.6T Gamma engine has.

With the newer 1.6T Smartstream engine, I believe Hyundai will have much better car then the Fiesta ST. I just don't see much of a change in the ST and can't believe it's any better than its predecessor. Trickle down performance for their WRC car, has never transpired and the actual performance of the ST is a bit lackluster in overall performance. 6.5 second from 0-62 and 230 kph isn't exactly quick.

Unless Ford has done something with the suspension from previous models, then it the same with to much body roll. It now looks like a smaller Focus ST. It's maybe just me but I don't see anything has really changed. It's small, and has a narrow cabin and the Ford Sync is not very intuitive either.

2021 Ford Fiesta ST Edition Interior - Paul Tan's Automotive News

paultan.org

According to this article, nothing is really changed except the facelift. It's a little disappointing for a company that really needs to step out, as in the past with the RS and other high performance models.

I used to be a Ford owner solely but anymore I'm just not that impressed.

 

[gdh300]

...if you are bit tubby then they might be a tight fit, they were perfect for me though..

Hey, what are you trying to say?!

 

[N-Raged]

Personally, I thought the previous ST's were gutless compared, to even the Hyundai Kona. Just my personal impression as an owner, even after adding; a Cobb Tuner, Cobb Exhaust, Cobb Intake and various other performance upgrades. Just didn't have the performance the 1.6T Gamma engine has.

With the newer 1.6T Smartstream engine, I believe Hyundai will have much better car then the Fiesta ST. I just don't see much of a change in the ST and can't believe it's any better than its predecessor. Trickle down performance for their WRC car, has never transpired and the actual performance of the ST is a bit lackluster in overall performance. 6.5 second from 0-62 and 230 kph isn't exactly quick.

Unless Ford has done something with the suspension from previous models, then it the same with to much body roll. It now looks like a smaller Focus ST. It's maybe just me but I don't see anything has really changed. It's small, and has a narrow cabin and the Ford Sync is not very intuitive either.

2021 Ford Fiesta ST Edition Interior - Paul Tan's Automotive News

paultan.org

According to this article, nothing is really changed except the facelift. It's a little disappointing for a company that really needs to step out, as in the past with the RS and other high performance models.

I used to be a Ford owner solely but anymore I'm just not that impressed.

I kind of thought like you before I drove one, then it blew me away, and trust me it’s a huge upgrade on its predecessor in every department, and you say it’s slow at 6.5 secs? Well the i20N is quoted to be at 6.7 seconds, so is that slow as well? and the current i30N is 6.1 so it’s not that much faster, but to be honest the ST actually felt quicker, probably due to it’s smaller size and lighter weight, dropping over 300kgs makes the world of difference, felt more like a go kart, and it’s not all about the times, ones thing for certain tho, the i20Ns 4 cylinder won’t have the sound or character of the 3 pot.. the ST is just a lot of fun..

 

[R Veloster N]

I've never felt any car feel like a go kart, except a Mini John Cooper Works. We can't drive one, they aren't producing it for the US this year. Ford is having a change of CEO from the CEO Furniture Salesman Hackett to another. It might make some difference in future, hopefully, including Ford Motorsport.

Ford sells only two cars now in the US, the Fusion and the Mustang. A bunch of trucks and SUV's. It's nuts!

 

[gdh300]

A bunch of trucks and SUV's

Shudder...

Pre-lockdown, I drove plenty of SUVs for work, only because that is what dominates the rental fleets nowadays (I guess because when they dispose of their cars, SUVs are the most popular on the used market). Each time, I would think "ooo, this handles quite well", until I got back into my in my own car and was completely dissuaded of the illusion! I guess most drivers are happy with them, we are the ones in the minority who want something a bit more.

 

[R Veloster N]

They're making a Mach-E SUV Mustang with 480 hp and 3.8 0-60 time. 300 mile distance and 10-80% charging in 45 minutes. Not excited at all.

 

[N-Raged]

I've never felt any car feel like a go kart, except a Mini John Cooper Works. We can't drive one, they aren't producing it for the US this year. Ford is having a change of CEO from the CEO Furniture Salesman Hackett to another. It might make some difference in future, hopefully, including Ford Motorsport.

Ford sells only two cars now in the US, the Fusion and the Mustang. A bunch of trucks and SUV's. It's nuts!

Yeh it’s a little weird how Ford is an American company, yet you can’t even buy performance cars like the Fiesta ST and Focus ST anymore?? SUVs and pickups are huge as well down here in Oz, they dominate the roads here, Hot hatches still sell pretty well though so maybe that’s why we still get them from Ford, but still, the population in the US is massive compared to ours, so they’d sell a hell of lot more of them there, I don’t get it? Strange decision by Ford..

 

[R Veloster N]

Yep, I don't get it. The biggest car market is here.

 

[Jepper]

As for the fiesta St. I have very seriously considered it previously but here it comes down to ford's warranty and reputation. Where I live they only offer 2 years and their reputation for reliability is not exactly great. I have read (local) stories on people having to deal with total engine failure themselves after 2 years and 2 months (just out of warranty). The short warranty seems to be a local thing though. For me it means I have completely dropped the ST as an option even if it looks like a great car in many ways. It also seems to lack some of the security kit that i20n and eg the polo gti has. At least in the trims available here.

 

[Jepper]

Edit to above: I don't expect the i20n to sounds quite as good, nor be quite as darty/pointy as the fiesta st. So far I think the i20n will offer a more complete package more suitable for daily driving though, while still being a lot more interesting than polo gti (that is supposedly very easy to live with and hugely popular here). I'm really forward to read comparison tests between i20n and fiesta st (and polo gti).

 

[N-Raged]

We

Edit to above: I don't expect the i20n to sounds quite as good, nor be quite as darty/pointy as the fiesta st. So far I think the i20n will offer a more complete package more suitable for daily driving though, while still being a lot more interesting than polo gti (that is supposedly very easy to live with and hugely popular here). I'm really forward to read comparison tests between i20n and fiesta st (and polo gti).

Well it’s a 5yr warranty here in Oz, not that I’ll have it for that long but at least I’ll be covered either way, haven’t seen much regarding engine failures tho on the MK8 ST and it’s been out since 2018, I know the Focus RS had some engine issues with the head gasket but the engine in the FiST seems to be doing ok..

 

[Jepper]

We

Well it’s a 5yr warranty here in Oz, not that I’ll have it for that long but at least I’ll be covered either way, haven’t seen much regarding engine failures tho on the MK8 ST and it’s been out since 2018, I know the Focus RS had some engine issues with the head gasket but the engine in the FiST seems to be doing ok..

I fully understand. I think it's different and much better proposition with 5 year warranty. With 5 year warranty I would probably own a fiesta St right now. Also I should have clarified about the engine failure it was not mk8 fiesta. Actually I'm not sure which model it was. The story just stuck to my mind due to the appalling treatment from the Ford branch here. Basically I just think they are annoying when it comes to warranty where I live.

 

[GazmaN]

The story just stuck to my mind due to the appalling treatment from the Ford branch here. Basically I just think they are annoying when it comes to warranty where I live.

Where I live just the service from Hyundai is appalling. God help me if there is a warranty issue. I'm ready to give Ford a turn, not sure they could be worse. Hyundai build (mostly) great cars, have no problems selling them, but after that - you're on your own in my experience.

 

[R Veloster N]

I wish you had the opportunity and experience of a good dealership service. It make a world of difference in perception of the brand. I empathise with you and understand,. Larger cities with multiple dealership tend to draw more customer minded service departments.

Some less competition oriented dealerships, tend to display a lackadaisical attitude towards their customers. Then there are those the have poor leadership from their management group and it carries over to their entire staff.

 

[gdh300]

Not sure where this company have got that price from. Speculative, I guess. Hope it isn't correct!

 

[Wetherfell]

I’d be surprised if the i20N has better seats than the STs Recaro's, they are heavily bolstered, if you are bit tubby then they might be a tight fit, they were perfect for me though..

Lol, well I'm not a particularly big chap but I did find them rather tight. At least 3 people on Ford forums have bought one, then very quickly swapped to a Focus ST because of the seat.

Funnily enough, although the seats in my ST-Line are not particularly bolstered, I do find the seat base narrow, compared to our previous Fiestas. I thought It was my imagination until I measured the seats in my mate's Mk 7 and found the base about half an inch narrower on mine. Even my Mrs's little SEAT Mii has a wider seat base, and generally feels roomier, at least up front.

 

[N-Raged]

Where I live just the service from Hyundai is appalling. God help me if there is a warranty issue. I'm ready to give Ford a turn, not sure they could be worse. Hyundai build (mostly) great cars, have no problems selling them, but after that - you're on your own in my experience.

Dealers are hit and miss the world over, mostly miss lol, I don’t think it helps living in Darwin either, lack of options around will swing it into the dealers favour, Sydney is a much bigger place so a lot more competition here, both my local dealers at Hyundai and Ford have been pretty good to be fair, but I’ve heard some shit stories from guys in work about there Hyundai dealers in other areas..

 

[mikeo]

I had a test drive in a Fiesta ST last week and I absolutely loved it, what a car, the first thing I noticed coming from the N was it’s weight, it really shows how heavy the N is, makes a huge difference for me, the steering on the ST is quick and laser point, it’s front end is so direct and nimble, you can just throw this thing into corners, it’s so chuckable which I love, but I think the highlight was it’s engine, wow.. couldn’t believe this was a 3 pot lol, what Ford have done with this engine is nuts, the power and especially the torque really surprised me, lots of torque! and it sounded unreal, sounded like I had something a lot bigger under the bonnet, crazy, the exhaust wasn’t bad either, not as loud as the N but some nice pops and bangs out the back, I also loved the interior, felt premium, much better than my old focus and a much nicer place to be than the i30N, awesome Recaro seats, and the flat bottom steering wheel was really nice, plus the 10 speaker B&O sound system is a cool touch as well.. The hype was real, the ST is a cracking little car, it was just so much fun, even at low speeds, in fact I fell in love with it so much I’m picking mine up next week!

Not doubting what a great drive they are. Did have a shot in one when they first came out and was seriously impressed. My comment/s were really just related to the cost of a 5 door st3 (+ a couple of extras). I still think around £28k is a lot of money for a super-mini sized car. Though might still consider one as a 2nd car if I could pick one up at the right price. Though will now definitely wait until the I20N comes out. Not like we are in any sort of a rush.

Enjoy your new car when it arrives

 

[gdh300]

My comment/s were really just related to the cost of a 5 door st3 (+ a couple of extras). I still think around £28k is a lot of money for a super-mini sized car.

Hyundai will be onto this £28k price of the ST. Maybe the price I posted in #235 isn't going to be too far off! So much for the low £20k bracket the press have speculated.

But like most manufacturers, they know 90% of buyers don't look at this price, they are only bothered how much per month it will be. It's a lot easier to hide a big mark-up that way, particularly if depreciation rates are broadly similar.

 

[N-Raged]

Not doubting what a great drive they are. Did have a shot in one when they first came out and was seriously impressed. My comment/s were really just related to the cost of a 5 door st3 (+ a couple of extras). I still think around £28k is a lot of money for a super-mini sized car. Though might still consider one as a 2nd car if I could pick one up at the right price. Though will now definitely wait until the I20N comes out. Not like we are in any sort of a rush.

Enjoy your new car when it arrives

The ST3 in Oz is $36k, that’s around £20k in the UK, Australia gets the cheapest price in the world for the FiST, I have no idea why that is? but I ain’t complaining, £28k would be $50K here, that’s nuts.. I have a feeling the i20N won’t be far off these prices either..