What’s hot?

• The chunky styling does really give it a mini-SUV look, and from the front it’s a very handsome car. The back isn’t as much of a success and you can’t delete that spare wheel.
• The EcoSport is pretty fun to drive, with the same quick steering and nicely weighted pedals as the Fiesta on which it’s based. There’s definitely a lot more lean in the bends, though, thanks to a higher centre of gravity.
• There are three engines to choose from but we like the 1.0 EcoBoost most. With 125hp, it’s quick enough, and economy of 53.3mpg is pretty good, too.
• CO2 emissions of 125g/km mean that standard rate taxpayers will only be paying around £50 per month.
• It comes pretty well equipped, too, with basic Titanium models fitted with alloys, SYNC voice control, Bluetooth and a multi-function steering wheel.
• Compared to the Fiesta there really is a genuinely usable boot on offer here. With 310 litres of space it’s not too far off what you’d find in a Volkswagen Golf.

What’s not?

• But the trouble with accessing that boot is that the boot door swings out rather than up, meaning you need about four feet of space behind the car when parking.
• It’s also hinged on the wrong side, so in the UK you’ll be standing in the road, rather than on the pavement when loading or unloading it.
• Unfortunately, those back seats are the same size as the ones you’ll get in a Fiesta so there’s not much room in the back either.
• And while the interior may be OK, it’s not up to scratch compared with other similarly priced cars. Scratchy plastics and door panels that can be pulled away from the door are poor compared with a Citroen C4 Cactus.
• The Cactus also has the EcoSport thoroughly beaten on emissions – Citroen produces a BlueHDi version that is not only faster but is capable of more than 88mpg. It’ll be much cheaper for company car buyers.