POCKET rockets have been a staple of the British car market for decades and there's no sign of their popularity diminishing with the likes of the Vauxhall Corsa VXR to delight drivers.

The most sporting and powerful of the wide Corsa clan, the VXR carries the initials used by Vauxhall to define the ultimate performance version in a series. And with the Corsa they are really justified.

The Corsa has always been a popular sized car and with this enormous power boost under the bonnet and with carefully tuned suspension, brakes and steering as well, it does a superb job at delivering dynamic performance for a driver to enjoy.

Immediate startup, strong acceleration and utterly composed cruising ability mean it fulfills several duties very well.

Then put into this ability the pin sharp steering, awesome brakes and a suspension which is firm but finely balanced between comfort and capability on any surface and you have the makings for a future classic.

It is carefully trimmed to look different without being too in your face, but it will bring a smile to your lips with its stylish interior and useful equipment, its big figure-hugging part-leather seats and nice detailing around the fascia and major controls.

The steering is naturally biased towards a slightly heavy feel, but it has a good turning circle and once on the move it felt lighter without being vague at any time.

I liked the comparatively short travel clutch and the rifle-bolt precision of the gearchange as well as the incredibly  powerful yet progressive brakes underfoot. The handbrake was effective on steep hills.

Secondary controls come to hand behind the wheel or on the facia and the comprehensive instruments are sensibly sized and placed to give clear readouts.

I liked the simple heating and ventilation controls, the system's output, direction and temperature were all agreeable.

Oddments space was fairly good, not as generous as some small cars but you could usually find a place to put things so long as they were not too large.

Getting in and out was easy most of the time, but it could be a squeeze to slip into the back seats. Once inside the front leg and headroom was very good, helped by plenty of seat adjustment, but the rear legroom was tighter.

Boot space was fair, quickly increasing as the back seats folded from 285 to over 1,000 litres.

Visibility was very good to front and sides and the headlights were bright, the wipers big and efficient, but over the shoulder sight-lines and reversing were more of an issue, particularly if the driver was short.

Noise was low and what came from the engine was delightfully sporting anyway. There was some road noise from the big wheels and tyres but wind noise was low.

Standard equipment includes cruise control, alloys, powered mirrors and front windows, air conditioning and MP3 connectivity, but you cannot have a sunroof and the parking rear sensors are nearly £300.

If you like small sporting hatchbacks with good performance and driving dynamics, the Vauxhall Corsa VXR ticks most of the boxes.