Nissan Micra

Christened the 160SR, and powered by a 108bhp 1.6-litre engine, the car has a series of subtle alterations, including new front and rear bumpers with integrated foglights, plus bigger alloys. The changes beef up the Micra's road presence, but it still looks cute and is one of the more distinctive superminis around.

Interior tweaks are confined to extra silver trim round the gearstick and dials, plus the addition of a six-CD in-dash changer. The seats are comfortable, but could do with more support, considering the model's sporty nature.

On the road, the Micra is reasonably fast, with 0-60mph in 9.8 seconds. But this does not give a full impression of the car. It is nimble on back roads and responsive on the motorway, and our only criticism is that the exhaust gets a bit boomy if you are cruising at speed. What's more surprising is how well the suspension copes with the 1.6-litre motor. The springs have been stiffened so the ride is harder, but not uncomfortable, and there is less body roll as a result.

The steering is precise, while the gearshift's short action reinforces the newcomer's sporty feel. So although the Micra lacks the power to be classified a genuine hot hatch, as a warm supermini it makes a great deal of sense.