The new Ford Fiesta is not only proof that American automakers can build a great small car, but that they can be fast and fun too. The Ford Fiesta ST may be Ford’s smallest car in North America, but it certainly isn’t the slowest. Yet the hot hatch competition here is a good bit thinner than over in Europe, where the Fiesta has to go up against some longtime favorites.

Is the Fiesta ST enough to stand toe-to-toe with Europe’s finest? That’s what the UK’s XCAR went and found out in this almost seven-minute review of the fastest Fiesta in Ford’s lineup.

With a video game-like feel to it, XCAR’s review notes that the Fiesta is light, powerful, and most importantly, fun to drive. The six-speed manual gearbox has short, sharp throws between shifts, while the steering has a direct-but-weighty feel to it, keeping that sense of control that is all too lost in this small-but-powerful segment.

Most importantly though is the flat, usable torque curve, which nearly eliminates any feel of turbo lag. The Fiesta ST’s power feels always on, though the car is just as home on the road as it is on the track. It’s a very practical everyday car, and fits quite a lot of stuff in the oversized hatch area. With a 26 city and 35 highway MPG rating, you can have your cake and eat it too with the Fiesta ST, and it stands as an equal to any of Europe’s notable hatchback competitors.