Autoblog's final poll results concluded that readers sided with the Fiesta ST, too!
Autoblog writer Steven Ewing adores the Fiesta ST, and during a friendly debate with one of his fellow colleagues in a "This Or That" comparison, he went to bat for Ford's hot hatch. In fact, he had some incredibly glowing things to say about the Blue Oval phenom, which we'd like to share with you.
If you love hot hatchbacks, which is Ewing's "favorite class of car," this is why you might want to consider the ST over the Abarth:
"The interior overall is an issue here [with Fiat] - it's cramped, the rear seats are pretty much unusable, and there's barely any trunk space. Compare that to the Ford, and you've got a car you could easily live with as a daily driver - it's comfortable, has tons of technology onboard, offers reasonable rear seating, and has a usable rear cargo area."
We can say from firsthand experience that the Fiesta ST is truly well-built and loaded with connectivity features. It's the top-tier trim offered in the Fiesta lineup, so it encompasses all of the group's base features and then some. Amenities exclusive to ST include special body elements, a sport-tuned suspension, dual exhaust tips, upgraded brakes and quicker steering. Drivers will also get the latest MyFord Touch interface and several other tech and convenience features when purchasing the 2015 Fiesta ST in the Atlanta area.
"Not only is the Fiesta more powerful and quicker than the Abarth, it's far nicer to drive with better handling chops and a more engaging manual gearbox. I've driven both on the track, and where the Abarth starts to show its flaws, the Fiesta remains sure-footed and agile through corners. And when it comes time for squirrely, hot hatch playfulness, I'd argue that the Fiesta is better to really flog like a hooligan - way more forgiving, and far better equipped to handle anything the driver throws at it."
Numbers don't lie. When it comes to muscle, the Fiesta ST simply offers more power to play with. It comes equipped with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 197 horsepower and 202 pound-feet of torque, while the Abarth produces only 160 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque with a 1.4-liter inline-four. ST's extra power makes a difference in acceleration and overall performance. Plus, fuel economy estimates for both cars are nearly identical, which means ST offers a better balance of power and efficiency than its contender.
Ewing also stated that the ST offers an involved performance, in which you'll feel like you're one with the car and like every control is an extension "of your own being." That's pretty heavy stuff, but hot hatch lovers will agree. So, if you've been thinking about purchasing a five-door, don't miss your opportunity to come test drive the Fiesta ST at Gwinnett Place Ford. We'll leave you with this final recommendation from Ewing:
"For my money and thrills, nothing beats the Ford Fiesta ST."