It looks a lot sportier than it is, particularly with a 900cc two cylinder engine but the styling is umistakeably Italian.

Alfa Romeo has had a mixed reputation over the years with style seeming to take priority over substance.

But the latest trio of models has set about addressing that.

The baby is Alfa's big hope in the supermini market and it certainly looks the part.

The 2014 MiTo now has a higher specification, revised interiors and the five-inch, colour, touch-screen infotainment system as standard equipment.

Starting at 14,350, it is not cheap, but the equipment list is a major consideration.

With teardrop shaped headlamps with titanium grey surrounds, bulging, curvaceous stance, signature shield grille, offset number plate, tinted rear glass and sports bumper, and chrome exhaust pipe it certainly captures the imagination.

For a small car, it certainly has the Alfa DNA, both in looks and in a practical sense with the dyanamic drive settings.

The interior is the best yet from Alfa with revised dashboards with two-tone red and black finish (on this model), plus aluminium sports pedals and kickplates.

It feels well built and doors close with a satisfying thud. This model features figure-hugging sports seats.

The vehicle dynamic control or the DNA system as Allfa calls it has three modes, dynamic, natural and all weather.

It allows drivers to select from one of several different driving modes depending on the road conditions and then automatically adjusts settings for throttle response, power delivery, power steering assistance.

More familiar is the  slick shifting gearbox, and stop/start technology for better economy. 

Other standard kit includes air conditioning; a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob; electric windows and mirrors; seven airbags; front fog lamps; a rear spoiler and alloy wheels for a pretty comprehensive list of equipment for the money.

It is pretty practical. The boot is not huge with a modest 276 litres available, but you can still fit a couple of small cases in the rear.

Power from the 875cc TwinAir Turbo engine has been boosted by 20 per cent to 105bhp and it can be felt when acclerating.

The benchmark 0-60mph sprint takes around 11 seconds, more than a second quicker than the previous power unit.

The drive is shifted through a slick, six-speed gearbox, which has to be worked hard at all times to keep the revs up, otherwise the engine tends to die on you and you often find yourself reaching the rev limiter.

The result is either a throaty or raucous engine note, depending on your point of view. It can get tiresome with endless city driving.

Despite this, economy is pretty good, if what seems a pretty long way off the combined fuel economy figure of 67.3mpg.

However the CO2 emissions of just 99g/km means there is zero road tax and it is exempt from congestion charges where appropriate.

The ride is comfortable enough if on the firm side and the car handles well enough on corners and bends there is an element of wind noise and the two cylinder engines is noisy under acceleration.

But it is a stylish competitor to the likes of MINI  and Fiat 500 and it carries the iconic Alfa badge - and you do get a lot for your money.