Ford has the Edge at long last

American giant joins the SUV party with a top effort.

Ford was a bit slow to the SUV party. True, it got the Kuga out in 2008 but it took until 2016 for them to come up with a large SUV – the Edge.

In between those two markers they launched a compact SUV called the Ecosport.

While the Kuga and Edge are quite highly regarded the Ecosport was a rare dud for Ford. Clunky styling, a Spartan interior, only so-so to drive and with the spare wheel strapped to the tailgate like something from the 1990s, it felt ill conceived and rushed.

It was most unlike Ford. Generally speaking, a blue oval on the steering wheel means you’re in a car that’s going to be fun to drive.

On paper it had looked terrific too. B-segment SUVs are huge business at the moment and one based on the chassis of the dynamic and brilliant Fiesta was bound to do well.

Presumably appalled at its poor reception, Ford instructed its engineers to put right everything that was wrong and launched a new version earlier this year.

The latest model has retuned steering, a 10mm lower ride height for improved handling, and better sound insulation.

Then Ford really got stuck in and created an even sportier version, driven here and called the Titanium S.

This top spec model gets firmer suspension, stronger weighting to the steering and a revised stability control system to keep the car glued to the road.

It comes with Ford’s highly regarded 1.0-litre Ecoboost three cylinder petrol engine, here tuned to deliver a healthy 123bhp.

It’s an excellent unit, spirited and peppy. Although the 0-62mph spring takes 11.8 it feels more vigorous than the figures suggest. Combined fuel economy is a very reasonable 52.3mpg.

Where the Ecosport has really improved is in its driving dynamics.

I remember putting the old Ecosport through some corners and feeling it wade and wallow all over the place.

No more. Today’s model is taut and composed, with the body remaining resolutely flat even during quite hard cornering.

It’s also more relaxing on long journeys as well. The firmer suspension hasn’t impacted on ride quality and the additional insulation means conversations can be had and radio listened to more easily.

Prices for the Ecosport start around £14,245 and standard equipment is now pretty good across most models.

Inside, the cabin’s a bit snazzier than the old model.

There’s a colour display screen and the top spec model gets part-leather seats.

Keyless entry and start up were on my Titanium S model, and all versions get Ford’s clever EasyFuel system that makes it impossible to accidentally put diesel in a petrol model and vice versa.

At this time of year I also appreciated the QuickClear windscreen, which defrosts the car in under a minute.

Given it’s based on a supermini, it’s not surprising rear legroom isn’t hugely generous.

There’s plenty of headroom though and the boot’s quite roomy. It’s also a lot easier to open the tailgate without the weight of a spare tyre strapped to it.

This new Ecosport is much, much better than the clunky original. It’s a shame Ford didn’t get it right first time but at least they’ve fixed it now.

It still isn’t a great looking car. The Nissan Juke is much more daring and radical, while the Mazda CX-3 is sleeker and far more handsome than the squat Ford.

There’s only so much you can do in one go, however. The Ecosport now drives as well as its rivals and handles the way you’d expect from a car based on the outstanding Fiesta.