The final generation Escort is more accomplished than earlier cars to carry the name, with ride and reliability up to 1990s standards. It’s a practical, undemanding choice for the family motorist, but lacks the feeling of quality and downright driving pleasure of the Focus that replaced it . Factor in the low ownership costs and sheer abundance and it’s not surprising that the Escort remains a fairly popular used car choice.

Rally-derived RS Cosworth deserves much more respect than the rest of the range.