While there has been the occasional unwatchable review from RegularCarReviews, this one about the Ford Fiesta ST is actually worth your time. It looks at how the Fiesta ST was received and perceived in the US and why people have taken a liking to it.
In a word: fun. It’s the main reason why people buy Fiesta STs. It’s fun in a straight line because it sounds beefy inside, has a close-ratio six-speed manual plus it also rewards the driver’s input with sharp steering responses. According to this video, Americans still can’t get over the fact that something this small can be as fast as it is.
The reviewer even suggests it’s faster than a Focus ST, which it probably is in those instances when agility is more important than outright power/acceleration.
Beware, though, the video still contains some profanity (especially when the sound symposer matter comes up…) – this is very much a NFSW video, but you were expecting that, weren’t you?