ASSERTIVE looks are the main focus for the latest supermini from Toyota.

The new Yaris isn't so much a completely new car, rather a heavily face-lifted version of the third generation model launched three years ago.

But you could be forgiven for thinking this is the fourth generation Yaris, particularly with that bold X-themed front taken from Toyota's city car, the Aygo - and the many changes it has undergone.

An all-out effort has been made - and achieved - in putting the Yaris back in the limelight with modern, upbeat looks on par with other family hatches. It really had no choice.

The Yaris, loved for its reliability and practicality, had begun to look a little nondescript and dated.

Toyota's design studio in France, together with planners and developers in Brussels worked together to make changes which have resulted in a much sharper, sculptural shape.

Significant alterations have also been made under the skin, with body-stiffening and a modified platform improving road-holding and composure, while a new rear torsional beam has cut down noise and vibration.

Toyota state that the latest Yaris, built in northern France, has more spot welds as well as new suspension springs and these have contributed to a much more settled and comfortable ride.

It is only large holes and uneven bumps that unsettle the car, though no more than many other models in this segment.

This car was powered by the 1.3-litre petrol engine, matched to a Multidrive S CVT gearbox.

It demonstrated good flexibility though it was not as energetic as some rivals with near-comparable driving dynamics.

Nevertheless, the 1.3-litre unit proved a strong and willing if somewhat noisy engine - despite attempts to minimise the vocals - particularly when hard-pressed. At other times, in town and in gentle cruise mode, the unit was acceptably subdued.

Improvements to what had previously been a fairly vague steering set-up have made for a light, precise and easy to operate system, though you are still non-plussed in terms of feedback.

The refreshed Yaris is 100mm bigger - but interior space has never been an issue. Three occupants can quite civilly fit into the rear seats, but perhaps not on long trips.

Again, the boot at 286 litres is a decent area which expands to 768 litres with the rear seats dropped - though they do not fold completely flat.

Inside, the Yaris is just as impressive in its update as the exterior aesthetics.

More room has been scooped out for driver and passenger comfort, there is a more intuitive dash and generally a higher quality feel about the interior.

The tall-ish profile of the five-door Yaris didn't detract from decent handling and the car felt capable and composed even faced with slalom-type B-roads.

Vision, as before, is good all round and the much more modern, bold looks will no doubt improve Toyota's sales graph: growing conquest sales (new customers to the brand) have risen from 4.2 per cent to 6.1 per cent in the past two years.

The Yaris has always been regarded as a reliable supermini with economy at its heart. This car, in 1.3-litre engine form and CVT transmission, returns an acceptable average fuel consumption of 55.4mpg with emissions registered at a respectable 119g/km.

Top speed is 109mph with 0-62mph achieved in 12.6 seconds and as an all-round supermini offering a generous five-year/100,000 mile warranty it will tick most boxes for those looking for a relatively cheap, modern car that is likely to return decent residuals when you come to sell.

Prices start at £10,999 for a 1.0-litre petrol, three-door model, but the 1.3-litre CVT, five-door in top-ranging Excel trim seems on the pricey side at £16,695. However, the price tag is justified by the long list of standard equipment levels.

All models get stability and traction control, seven airbags, electric front windows, and tyre pressure monitoring system.

Stepping up to an Icon trim adds air con, 15-inch alloys, body-matched electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors, Toyota's Touch 2 Screen system, rear-view camera, Bluetooth. Excel, in addition to the part-leather seats, gains DAB radio, cruise control, 16-inch silver alloys. LED daytime running lights and rear LED lights, climate control and dark-sensing headlights.