Civic Si Vs Fiesta ST

TG-86

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Just sold my Fiesta ST and looking for a replacement. The car was a lot of fun, but unfortunately it was in the shop too often for me to enjoy it. So, I'm hoping I can find something just as fun, but in a more reliable package. Curious if anyone here has gone from a FiST to an Si? If so, how is it in comparison? I know the interior is a lot better, but that's not a factor for me. Is the Si just as or more communicative? If it's as fun to daily and autocross, I'm going to go for it.

Thanks.
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Civicsi19

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Civic SI Sedan is where its at brother. Get one and tune it right away.
 

SichuanHot

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The 10th gen Si is better in every way. Having the mechanical LSD sets it apart from all the other FF layout offerings.
 

gtman

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I think the Hyundai Veloster N would be more like a Fiesta ST than an Si. More raw and sporty.
Good call. The N maintains the small hatchback form factor, too. Sort of a next level Fiesta ST.
 
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xbbnx

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If you want something just as fun, actually funner, dont care about interior quality and want the best bang for your buck, the Veloster N is the answer. Even the non PP version is a hoot and a half!
 

SichuanHot

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Unfortunately, however, the Veloster N gets the worst fuel economy of this family of cars. To me it doesn't make sense to even consider it when you can move over to an awd or FR layout car that nets the same fuel consumption figures and better performance (NA market).
 

gtman

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Not everybody's priority is fuel economy though.

Plus, in it's price range you won't find many cars that will be a better performer.
 

SHAYN3R

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My brother had a Cobb stage 1 fiesta ST and now drives a civic si Coupe and I drive an Si sedan. I've driven his old car enough to notice a few things.

The fiesta is more "tossable", a term many people use for it. Tossable doesn't mean better handling though. The fiesta actually felt fast because of the way the torque came on but stage 1 fist vs a ktuner si is no comparison. The si has much better top end. Also, the interior of the fist was tiny compared even to the si Coupe. The Si's get slightly better mileage. Interior quality is much better on the Si. Overall I would say the Si is the superior car in almost everyway except the fiesta has more character. There's something about it that makes it have this fun factor that very few cars can match.
 

gtman

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I found this post on Reddit that would be of interest to the OP. The guy currenty has a Fiesta ST and test drove a base Veloster N and gave his feedback.
I had some plans fall through on Friday and ended up dropping by a Hyundai dealer and test driving a (non-performance pack, unfortunately) 2019 Veloster N.

It's like a bridge between the FiST and FoST while clearly benefiting from a generation's worth of engineering progress.

Positive highlights:

  • Handling felt like a good mix of FiST and FoST with heavier steering and plenty of feedback

  • Felt very stable at highway speed and got there quickly

  • Sounds fantastic with the exhaust in Sport/Sport+

  • Rev-matching is spot on and would be a blessing in heavy traffic/serious track driving (eliminates the need to heel & toe)

  • Interior is nicer than our FiSTs, about on par with the FoST

  • Infotainment screen is bigger and closer, easier to reach than in the FiST

  • Seating position is really nice and low

  • Clutch is about as light as the FiST, early engagement point, exceptionally smooth

  • Shifter is in a great position (FiST shifter felt weirdly low when I got back into mine), very short and easy throws

  • Suspension is less harsh than the FiST
Negative highlights:

  • Driver's seatbelt is hard to reach if you sit close to the pedal box

  • Low rear headroom (worse than the FiST, but much more rear legroom)

  • Test car had a weird rattle on heavier throttle, sounded like a loose heat shield maybe?
I'm not quite ready to trade my FiST away for one, but I can say with confidence that the Veloster N is the most ST-like hot hatch currently available in North America.

Brand snobs will sneer at it, but they're missing out. I'm a convert, I have to tip my hat to Hyundai for making such a serious effort to give us a real hot hatch in a market where hot hatches don't get any love.
 


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My experience may not mean much as I've only sat in a Fiesta and driven a normal Focus wagon. I assume the Fiesta ST is a lot of fun due to the go kartedness of it. It's a tiny little car with adequate power, surrounded by barely anything, that really lets you feel everything outside. The Focus was certainly that way and while it was peppy and pretty fun to drive, it was less creature comforted than the Si and the SI feels much, much more solid on the road, and it still feels go karty because it's relatively small and twitchy when you want it to be.
 

Honda_RacerX

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The Si shits on the FiST in looks, performance, definitely RELIABILITY, handling, etc.

The Veloster N is a quick car but is about as reliable as the FiST.
 

SichuanHot

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Not everybody's priority is fuel economy though.

Plus, in it's price range you won't find many cars that will be a better performer.
Fuel economy is a concern if it's an only car. There are two cars that I can think of that one can get new for about the same price as a Veloster N that outperforms, and matches it in fuel economy: Camaro I4t 1LE, Mustang Ecoboost. 22/30 is inexcusable in a new FF car in 2019.
 
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TG-86

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I tried to test drive an Si Coupe on Friday, but unfortunately the car sold a couple hours before I got there. Going to try a different dealership on Monday.

The Veloster N would be perfect, and I imagine I'll have one at some point, just not now. I don't want to drop 30k on one, I'd rather wait a couple years and buy it used. Those will be a huge bargain once they depreciate a bit.

I work from home, so gas expense doesn't rack up as fast for me. Fuel economy won't be a deciding factor.
 
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TG-86

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Right now, I'll either be getting a 135i with M Sport package or the Si. These are the two cars I have it narrowed down to.
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