NOW in its third-generation the Honda HR-V is a compact SUV that nicely combines practicality, efficiency, technology and great build quality in an attractive stylishpackage.

The HR-V has been with us for more than two decadesand this current generation is only availableas afuel efficient hybrid.

It may have more style than before but it will keep its loyal following because it is still reliable, safe and priced to compete in a crowded sector.

Built for comfort rather than sporty performancethe HR-V takes 10.7 seconds to reach 62mph and tops out at 106mph but that will be good enough for most ofits buyers.

The boxy looks have been dumped and replaced by a coupe-like design thanks to a sloping roofline,hidden door handles,nice light clusters,smart alloys and black wheel arches.

The interior has a premium feel with upmarket upholstery, a good sound system, full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a nine-inch dash-mounted infotainment touchscreen with voice control and many other features.

The HR-V is powered by a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine paired to two electric motors to deliver a combined 131ps and 253Nm or torque. The battery pack has also been enlarged to increase the EV-only driving range. It is the same set-up introduced in the Jazz model.

The HR-V cruises nicely at motorway speeds and is quiet and responsive. On country roads it provides lots of grip and is agile. In town it is a good companion because of its light steering and parking aids and cameras.

There are three drive modes called Eco, Normal and Sport that alter the characteristics of the car's performance and single-pedal driving is possible when in the highest setting for regenerative braking.

The high driving position means there is excellent all-round visibility.

Honda claims a combined 52.3mpg and this is easily achievable - on some longer runs I was clocking almost 60 mpg without really trying.

The CVT transmission can be a big grumpy if you push it too hard but take it smoothly and you will be rewarded by refined progress.

There are stacks of room for four adults to travel in comfort- five for shorter journeys - and the clever Honda Magic Seats make it really practical.

The boot takes 335 litres of luggage, increasing to 1,305 litres with the rear seats dropped flat. There is also lots of storage space inside the smart cabin.

The HR-V is packed with safety features and driver aids and has the maximum five-star rating from Euro NCAP. Honda SENSING brings collision mitigation throttle control, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, low speed following, traffic sign recognition, road departure mitigation and eCall in Europe. This is along with the likes of blind spot warning, cross traffic monitor, tyre pressure monitoring, vehicle stability assist, brake assist, and a full suite of airbags.

The HR-V Advance Style Plus model I sampled looked great in Seabed Blue Pearl paint and cost £39,525. It came with all the equipmentyou could ever want.