Fiesta ST and Focus ST 1

You read about the B299 Ford Fiesta ST in our triple hot hatch comparison (against the Peugeot 208 GTi and Renault Clio RS 200 EDC) - while Dunton's latest Sports Technology kid didn't take top honours in the test, it was a close run thing; the six-man jury unequivocally voted the car as the most dynamic and exciting to drive.

Since it was in for the group test, we decided to do a quick round of photos with the Molten Orange mule, comparing it against its class-up sibling, the C346 Focus ST, a simple enough task given the availability of the latter - the pre-facelift Race Red example is mine. Nothing like a side-by-side to view the family DNA on call, and there are many visual similarities.

There's the face, for one, and moving inside, items like the scuff plate design, gearshift knob and alloy pedals show a distinct commonality. Also, the difference in how the Blue Oval interprets its B-segment and C-segment offerings size-wise is rather striking.

Admittedly, the Fiesta ST we get - in what is a base ST-1 trim level with additions, virtually identical to what Australia gets in terms of specs - feels a bit bland on the inside; save a few bits, there's very little differentiation to a base Fiesta presentation-wise. The trim level's demure Silverstone grey/charcoal black fabric combination and manual air-conditioning (seen on the pre-facelift Fiesta) don't aid the cause.

Fiesta ST and Focus ST 8

The Focus ST, in this case uniquely-configured for our market (in ST-2 level trim, but with ST-3 HIDs - not on mine though! - and slightly different tail lamp configuration as well as rear parking distance sensors incorporated in the final mix) feels a bit more polished in presentation. Kit like the dash-mounted boost/oil temp/oil pressure gauge set may be a kiddy-trick, but hey, if you're going to sport things up....

Some on-the road performance notes, which doesn't veer far away from the observations gleaned from the duo on the Ford Lara/You Yangs Proving Ground track. Like in Melbourne, the Focus doesn't feel as zippy or agile, its extra 50 horses negated by more bulk (1,362 kg to the the Fiesta ST's 1,163 kg), but it is inherently more compliant and a more balanced and mature offering.

Would I pick a Fiesta ST over the Focus? It's undoubtedly a standout driver's car, and in many ways it offers things the Focus can't, but it's a bit too plainly dressed, and I've outgrown the three-door configuration, so that's the end of that argument.

Fiesta ST

Focus ST