THE latest Yaris is a clever clogs choc full of neat ideas.

As well as new exterior and interior styling Toyota's attention to detail inspires confidence.

Take the door mirrors for instance. Look closely and you'll notice the one on the right has a subtle bump in its profile that is missing when you examine the one on the left.

It's not a mistake but rather a way of slightly altering the car's aerodynamics to compensate for the single windscreen wiper so reducing the wind noise reaching the cabin when the wiper is in use.

It doesn't stop there. The follow-me-home headlights can be adjusted so they remain on for up to 30 seconds after the car is switched off helping you find your door keys and avoid the cat when entering your home.

There's a drag function on the Toyota Touch 2 media system so it can be operated like a smartphone.

And the hits just keep on coming - there's anti-chip paint on the front half of the bonnet and the sills are also covered to protect the car from the attentions of any stones thrown up off the road surface.

If the small things are well catered for it bodes well for bigger ones like the engine.

The 1.33-litre petrol four-cylinder power unit under the bonnet of the car I drove is efficient, quiet and refined. It's no Speedy Gonzalez as demonstrated by a 0-62mph time in excess of eleven seconds, but it cruises along quite happily on the motorway - aided and abetted by a slick six-speed manual gearbox - and uses fuel with frugality.

The range also includes a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and a 1.4-litre D-4D diesel as well as a hybrid 1.5-litre petrol engine coupled with an electric motor.

It is a reassuring car to drive as there's plenty of grip on offer and the ride is comfortable thanks to the efficient suspension while the light steering ensures the Yaris is manoeuvrable around town.

It also a practical option with a boot 25 per cent bigger than the previous generation that easily copes with the demands of a family's weekly trip to the supermarket. There is 286-litres of luggage room with the rear seats in place which increases to 768-litres when they are folded flat.

Up front there is plenty of room with a height-adjustable driver's seat as well as a steering wheel that adjusts for rake and reach ensuring comfort while three adults can easily be accommodated in the back.

The Yaris range starts with the Active model, but most will want to step up to the Icon trim to secure a decent level of equipment including the touch-screen system, air conditioning, alloy wheels, a reversing camera as well as Bluetooth connectivity.

A facelift has left the Yaris with more kerb appeal thanks to a nose that now features a new headlight design and a grille with an eye-catching ‘X' shape.