I'm far from a car reviewer, I'm just a car salesman, for Ford. I remember the first time I drove the Focus ST how surprised I was with the sporting power of the car. We haven't got a Fiesta ST in yet, but the reviews seem fairly positive as well. When someone traded in a 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth I wasn't too interested. A fellow car guy told me to drive it so eventually I took it out (after our used ST was sold and I needed a sporty car to switch a customer to). Wow... I was really impressed with the Fiat. First, I'm 6 foot tall and 250 lbs. Not fat, but quite American. I fit comfortably and found no want for space ( at least in the front seat, the back seat I was short on head room). I fired up the car and I've not heard such a small engine sound so good. I really like how while driving you can actually hear the turbo spooling. This car is actually a riot to drive. The brakes are crazy and you feel in total control for such a short wheelbase car. Being a trade in I really didn't push it too far but I never felt like the car should be any longer. Once I came back to the dealership I had to pause. I feel the Focus ST is a kick rear focus, but it still feels like a focus. So if the Abarth feels like a 500 then the 500 is a far better car than I imagined. The only two complaints I have are the shifter feels like a club and the window controls are split by the shifter, making it impossible to drive and put both windows down at the same time. Still a sweet little car! For a shameless promotion, if you want a 6k mile pre-owned Abarth in the south-central PA region, send me a message. For the rest of you, if you're in this forum wondering... give this car a chance!