Butch looks, but cheap running costs. It’s a winning combination, and one that Ford has a proven track record in – not least given its unrivalled ability to make ordinary cars that have anything but ordinary handling.

The Ford Fiesta ST-Line promises to tick all of the above boxes. We know that the baby Ford – the best selling car in the UK so far in 2018 – sets the benchmark for a balance of comfort and fun in the small car market, so the ST-Line trim with its butched-up and lowered sports suspension promises big things.

First impressions

The ST-Line is easy to spot. The honeycomb grille, the 17-inch alloys in a bespoke style, the bodykit that includes rear spoiler, sideskirts and tweaked front bumper… It’s all there and looking good.

The style stakes have been upped inside, too, with sports seats complete with red stitching, ST-Line steering wheel and gearknob, and ST-Line scuff plates. It’s all subtle enough to be tasteful, but striking enough to make the Fiesta ST-Line stand out a bit. It’s just a shame that you can’t get any of the interesting body colours that are reserved for Ford’s B&O trims. The only really stand-out colour in the ST-Line range is the £745 Blue Wave, or the standard colour choice - Race Red - looks pretty striking. Check out the gallery to see loads of photos of both.

Still, the looks aren’t the only extra feathers lining the ST-Line nest, you also get sports suspension which – particularly if you go for the 1.0 EcoBoost 140, 125 or 100 engi...