Pop Mech Top Ten Pick !!!

[rodmoe]

Popular Mechanics Top Ten

Handling

2014 Ford Fiesta ST

Price: $22,195

The Ford Fiesta ST follows a classic recipe for fun-to-drive: Take an existing small car, then add a hotter engine and a sportier suspension. Ford's own Focus ST is a great example, as is the segment-defining Volkswagen GTI. But those cars and others like them have slowly inflated in both dimension and price. The Fiesta ST takes the compact performance back to its roots—an affordable small car that's just fast enough to keep life interesting. Like the great hot hatches before it, the Fiesta never fails to put a smile on our face. The fun starts with the fat, leather-wrapped steering wheel that makes the car respond so quickly it's almost twitchy. But the ST's handling is smooth, and it's easy to transition from braking, to cornering, and then on to the gas to feel the surge of the 197-hp 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine. From the Fiesta ST's bolstered driver's seat, every road looks like a racetrack, even if it's just an open on-ramp.


Read more: Top 10 Cars for 2014: PM Auto Excellence Awards - Popular Mechanics
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[ileftthestoveon]

The article describes the idea of the fiesta ST pretty well, stating that it fills a void left by cars such as the bulkier Volkswagen GTI that have shifted more towards comfort and family practicality.