AFTER scoring with some adventurous design Nissan is returning to the mainstream with a bigger than normal hatchback to rival the likes of the Ford Focus.

With an astonishing amount of legroom in the back, the new Nissan Pulsar is a genuine family car with luggage space to match.

It also comes with some exceptionally economical engines including a diesel which Nissan claims is good for almost 80mpg.

That's going to put the Pulsar right in the frame to capture company car drivers as well as the everyday motorist.

Although it looks rather plain - especially in lighter colours - the Pulsar comes with plenty of kit and in top specification has as much onboard as any executive grade motor.

The Pulsar marks Nissan's return to the medium-sized hatchback market from which it has been absent for the past eight years having turned its attention to the emerging crossover market with its highly successful Qashqai and Juke models.

While those are built in Britain at Nissan's Sunderland factory the new Pulsar comes from Spain where the Japanese car maker also builds the Navara pick-up, the Pathfinder 4x4 and the NV200 van range.

Competition for the Pulsar is stiff and not only includes the Focus but also the Vauxhall Astra and VW Golf as well as the likes of the Toyota Auris and the keenly priced Hyundai i30.

Nissan will be pitching the Pulsar at £15,995 for the base level 1.2-litre petrol model and £17,595 for 1.5-litre diesels.

Compared to the Focus and Astra that is right on the money and the Nissan engines are remarkably frugal.

We managed to average a very respectable 59 to the gallon from the diesel and 54mpg for the turbocharged petrol - not far off the official figure of 56mpg with emissions of 117mpg.

The diesel develops 110ps and is well suited to the Pulsar with a good amount of pull resulting on a 0 to 60 time of 11.5 seconds and a top end of 118mph. More importantly it has a CO2 figure of 94g/km which makes it attractive on the tax front.

On paper the 115ps 1.2 engine is quicker at 10.7 seconds 0 to 60 but it lacks the legs of the diesel in higher gears and can feel that it is running out of steam when asked to work hard.

Both versions we tried were six speed manual and Nissan is planning on introducing an auto option on the petrol Pulsar for an extra £1,350.

The handling is fine and the Pulsar has no bad habits with an all round feel of being up to the task although it is not as dynamic as the Focus.

Where it stands out is with its limo-like space in the rear. It is huge and akin to the amount of room you expect in an MPV let alone a family hatch. Head room is also good and four adults can travel in absolute comfort - five would still be a pinch but it's fine for youngsters.

With families very much in mind the boot is deep and wide with a capacity of 385 litres, enough for four cases and some extras. Maximum capacity with the rear seats folded is 1,395 litres making it very practical.

Standard equipment includes air con, Bluetooth and cruise control while the likes of lane departure warning, sat nav, blind spot monitors and Nissan's 360 degree surround view camera system come on top specification models which see the four trim Pulsar range topping out at £21,945.

The Pulsar name has been used by Nissan before but not in Britain where its previous family models have been called the Sunny or latterly the Almera, which ceased production in 2006.

The newcomer slots into the current line up between the Juke and the Qashqai and although it looks more run of the mill it is a very accomplished all rounder and well suited to those who are ruled by their head and not their heart.