Sector: Supermini Price (November 2013): £15,495 Fuel: 65.7mpg CO2: 99g/km

The Ford Fiesta and the EcoBoost engine make a great pairing. At the top of the range, this duo has resulted in the thoroughly enjoyable ST, and below it the three-cylinder unit has made the Zetec S a very worthy sibling to Ford’s acclaimed hot hatch.

In the latter, the EcoBoost of choice is the smallest 1.0-litre unit, but in its most potent 123bhp form. This is a fantastic pairing of engine and chassis in the standard car, but with its deeper bumpers, larger alloy wheels and sports interior the Zetec S looks and feels the way you’d want a car which drives this well to look and feel.

Ford has gently rubbed off just enough of the ST’s styling to make this look different to the rest, but there’s still a suitably large gap between the range’s two sportiest models.

Although it’s 57bhp down on its sibling, performance is impressive. The 1.0 EcoBoost is incredibly peppy and keen to rev, but picks up from just above idle and emits that characterful growl now becoming familiar in the latest crop of fuel-efficient three-cylinder petrol engines. It'll dispense the dash to 62mph in 9.4 seconds, and offers a good chunk more driver appeal than the 95bhp 1.6 TDCi also offered in this trim level.

Inside, the driving position is excellent and the materials lining the cabin are generally of a high standard compared to the rest of the segment. The Zetec S only comes with three doors, though, so it’s strictly for childless drivers or those who don’t mind wrestling a booster seat into the back. Ride quality on the move is firm, but not unpleasant considering this is a small car on large wheels.

The best news, though, is it’s even more affordable than the already great value ST. There’s a £1,500 price gap between the two, and with CO2 emissions of 99g/km and (provided you can keep the ever-eager engine at bay) fuel economy of 65.7mpg, it shouldn’t put a massive dent in your wallet once it’s left the forecourt.

A hot hatch this isn’t, but for those whose choice list doesn’t stretch to a full-fat Fiesta ST, there’s a lot of fun to be had with its toned down sibling.

Verdict:

The Zetec S finally makes sense as a warm hot hatch, benefitting from the lower CO2 emissions and increased responsiveness of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine tucked under the bonnet. It can’t match the ST for out-and-out thrills, but it’s a lot of fun for not a huge amount of cost.