MITSUBISHI'S stylish little Colt has always offered decent reliability and value for money.

It can also offers mini-MPV like practicality, not so much in the three-door tested, but in the five-door that makes the little car seem a whole lot bigger.

What the three door loses in practicality it gains in the look. This is a stylish  car, as good as anything in its class with a dynamic stance and what Mitsubishi calls its jet fighter grille emblazoned with the signature logo.

It has a price range starting at just under £9,250  and offers excellent value for money, particularly if you opt for the the energy efficient and eco-friendly ClearTec technology.

Now even that has been enhanced by the addition of the special Juro edition.

Adding to the normal, decent level of equipment, the Juro features a snazzy little Garmin sat nav that sits on a permanent port on the dashboard, alloy wheels, leather seats with leather trimmed steering wheel and gearknob, steering wheel controls and front, side and curtain airbags.

It also featurescruise control, air conditioning and electric windows.

These additions make this the Juro version a bit of snip with a starting price of just under £10,500.

The sat nav is a welcome feaure, but it is detachable, so owners need to remember to hide it away from potential thieves when the car is parked.

The Colt body structure is built around what Mitsubishi describe as the next generation Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) design. It disperses energy loads during side and rear impacts and controls distortion, enhancing occupant protection and also helping to protect the fuel system during a rear impact.

It sounds impressive but does lead to a very firm and sometimes uncomfortable ride.

But it also means the car handles really well, and, powered by a very lively 1.3-litre petrol engine mated to a precise five-speed gearbox, the tested model gave a very satisfying drive, even if the engine revs had to be pushed fairly hard.

The car sprints from 0-60mph in 10.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 111mph.

Even when pushing it, economy is excellent with a claimed 56.6mpg thanks to the ClearTec wizardry which includes stop-go technology and revised gearing and low viscosity oil.

The interior of the car offers good head and legroom for this type of vehicle and the fitting and trim are more functional than luxurious, with some of the plastics feeling harsh.

Swtichgear and instrumentation is well built and there are various drinks holders and cubby holes. Boot space is fairly limited with a handbag-like 160 litres, but the clever folding rear seats allow for extra stowage space of 568 litres

In addition to the impressive list of standard kit, safety equipment includes the airbags, Colt's Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) with occupant sensors and ISO-FIX child seat anchorage points fitted as standard in the rear, giving the car  a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating.