A four-star score in the Euro NCAP crash tests was a respectable score when the car was launched in 2003, but five-stars have now become the norm. Good levels of safety equipment including four airbags on all but the base models while an intelligent key is available – this stays in your pocket and allows the doors to be opened and ignition started at a button’s touch.

The boot is far from cavernous but it has a wide opening and can cope with a weekly shop. With 251 litres of space it’s smaller than alternatives like the Vauxhall Corsa and Peugeot 207 but on the plus side, the rear seats slide by 200mm to provide extra boot space (although rear legroom disappears as a result) and they split and fold too, allowing you to carry bulkier items.

Up front there are loads of little cubby holes and cleverly, the base of the front passenger seats folds upwards to reveal a nifty storage box.