IF you're into ticking boxes, get your pen ready. Because the latest Honda HR-V has most of them fully covered.

For a start it's a compact SUV, one of the most popular sectors in the marketplace, it's a hybrid, so efficient and tax friendly and it's economical with an ability to squeeze 50 miles from a gallon of petrol.

Now in its third incarnation, the HR-V is up against some stiff competition in the shape of the VW T-Toc, Peugeot 2008 and Toyota CH-R, to name just a few.

Like most, the focus in on space, frugality and practicality rather than performance.

Nevertheless with 131bhp from the combination of 1.5-litre petrol and electric assistance, it has a reasonable turn of speed that allows it reach 62mph in 10 seconds.

More significantly the CVT automatic gearbox has quick response and makes good use of the ready torque.

Less impressive is the engine noise under full acceleration which sounds strained and somewhat harsh. It's more relaxed when throttled back for cruising but the continuous variable transmission tends to make things a bit frenetic.

It scores highly on passenger space with generous room in the front and way more than average space in the rear. Tall rear seat passengers can easily slide their feet under the front seats and headroom is ample for a six-footer.

Boot space isn't so vast at 319 litres, thanks partly to the high platform which covers the necessary electrification.

By folding down the split rear seats, the cargo area grows to 1,289 litres. And there's a clever trick that allows the bottom section of the rear seats to be folded up to the backrest to allow more space behind the front seats.

Cabin cubbies and door pockets are plentiful but their capacity is somewhat restricted. Special mention must be made of the front seats which are supremely well shaped and supportive.

The cabin itself is smart and businesslike with an easy to operate touchscreen and enough soft keys to satisfy more traditional drivers with whom the model has proved popular. The plastic mouldings are of good quality and their fit is excellent.

Despite its role as family transport, the latest HR-V is a pleasing and satisfying car to drive with well judged suspension which offers a near perfect ride, and benign, secure handling. It rides well over poor surfaces yet rolls little when hurried into curves.

Even driven hard, our fuel consumption never dropped below 43mpg and most of the time hovered around the 50mpg mark - a better result than achieved behind the wheels of most competitors.

We borrowed the Advance version which comes with most goodies including rear view camera, electric tailgate, heated front seats and heated steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors and nine inch touchscreen. The paintwork was in premium sunlight white pearl which gave it unusual depth and almost iridescence.