ST Suspensions Coilovers: ST X, ST XA, and ST XTA

ST Suspensions builds true coilovers - a threaded strut body with the spring and damper combined into one adjustable unit - rather than lowering springs on a stock strut. The lineup covers three ascending tiers plus a flagship variant, and the real difference between them is what you can adjust after install, not just how low they go.

Every ST coilover kit shares the same core build: a galvanized steel strut body for corrosion resistance, a composite lower spring perch with a stainless steel insert, a low-friction piston band, and a hand-assembled, quality-checked damper. ST X is height-only; ST XA adds 16-position adjustable rebound damping; ST XTA adds aluminum uniball top mounts for front camber adjustment on top of the XA's damping range.

ST X suits drivers who want a lower, sportier stance for daily street use without ever touching a damper dial again - set ride height once on the threaded perch and move on; see our how to adjust coilovers guide for the general process.

ST XA is the pick for hot hatches and sport compacts, including the Fiesta ST and similar cars, where owners want to soften rebound for a rough commute and firm it up for a weekend drive.

ST XTA is aimed at drivers running real track days or autocross, where camber adjustment at the top mount matters for tire wear and grip, and the extra install step of setting camber is worth it.

ST XTA Plus 3 is the flagship for dedicated competition builds: independent high- and low-speed compression damping on top of rebound and camber control, built for drivers who already know what they're tuning for rather than a first coilover purchase.

ST sits in the budget-to-mid tier of the coilover market. KW is ST's higher-end sibling brand, generally offering more adjustment range and a higher price point for drivers who want to go further up the performance ladder. Bilstein leans toward an OEM-plus ride feel, often with simpler or no damping adjustment, which suits drivers who want a lowered stance without a stiffer street ride. H&R mostly sells lowering springs rather than full coilovers, so it's a different category of product than ST's threaded-body kits - see our coilovers vs. lowering springs guide if you're still deciding between the two.

ST coilovers bolt into the stock strut and lower control arm mounting points like most threaded-body kits, so labor time is comparable across the lineup; budget for a post-install alignment regardless of series. Ride height is set by turning the lower locking collar up or down the threaded body before torquing it in place.

On ST XA and ST XTA, the rebound damping dial is near the top of the strut and offers 16 click positions; ST XTA Plus 3 adds separate high- and low-speed compression adjusters with 24 clicks each. Start from the middle setting and change one click at a time so you can feel what each adjustment actually does before committing to a track or street setup. On ST XTA and XTA Plus 3, camber is set at the aluminum uniball top mount and should be checked with an alignment rack, not just by eye.