Ford May Bring Back The Fiesta ST, But America Might Miss Out

The Search for an Entry Point

Ford is open to re-entering the U.S. sedan market it abandoned at the start of the decade to focus on larger vehicles with better profitability. Rising new-car prices and growing affordability concerns have helped prompt this reconsideration, though there still has not been much concrete development beyond the company targeting a sub-$40,000 four-door passenger car.

Meanwhile, Ford's strategy in Europe suggests the Blue Oval is not ready to give up on passenger cars altogether. Ford’s European general head of product, Christian Weingartner, told Auto Express that a performance version of the next-generation Fiesta could be on the cards, as part of the company's plan to integrate its rally and performance heritage into future models.

Preserving the Performance DNA

As such, ST or RS variants could be offered on the Fiesta, a subcompact hatchback/sedan that was discontinued in North America in 2019 before ending production globally in 2023. Both badges are performance-oriented, with ST models typically focusing on accessible everyday performance, while RS models have historically sat higher in the range with more aggressive upgrades.

Weingartner said, “To be credible and authentic, there needs to be some kind of performance series of our vehicles; that's what we’ve got to have.”

The report suggested that the Fiesta ST could return as an all-electric model based on the RG EV Small architecture, the same platform underpinning the Alpine A290. Ford is also reportedly considering another EV aimed at the compact SUV segment as part of its collaboration with Renault.

A Tale of Two Markets

It is worth noting that smaller cars are more relevant in Europe than in the U.S., where buyers continue to prefer larger vehicles such as the Ford F-150. So while a new Fiesta expected in 2028 might sound like exciting news, its chances of reaching the U.S. remain uncertain, even as the automaker explores new affordable passenger-car options. New performance variants of other Ford models in Europe could also be in the pipeline, including a possible Puma ST and future Focus ST or RS-inspired models.

For now, the most affordable Blue Oval-badged models sold in the U.S. are the Maverick, Escape, and Bronco Sport, all of which start at around $30,000.

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