THE Corsa made its UK debut 22 years ago but Vauxhall's best-selling small car still has plenty of pulling power.

Its popularity is maintained in its latest guise with fresh metal and engine tweakings and even better eco credentials: tax-beating emissions and fuel consumption figures well on the way to 90mpg for a 1.3-litre oil burner.

That's more than double the mpg figure I achieved in its Down Under Holden equivalent during a driveabout from Sydney to Melbourne and back to Sydney in the mid-Nineties.

Fast forward two decades and the little supermini remains enduringly popular right across the age and social spectrum with a larger, tougher body - but still on compact foundations.

The fourth generation model conveys a sturdier character, addressing some criticisms that earlier models felt a little on the flimsy side.

It does feel a beefier, more solid vehicle but, thankfully, this hasn't detracted from its fun-to-drive personality.

This car was powered by a 'best-of-both-worlds' 1.3-litre diesel engine: the 94bhp unit is lively enough to square up to most of the competition managing 0-62mph in an acceptable 11.9 seconds, while returning official average fuel figures of 85.6mpg and impressively low fuel emissions of just 87g/km.

It's these kind of green stats with a reputation for respectable performance that ensures the Corsa maintains its position at the top of the supermini league - although a real-life week at the wheel returned consumption figures nearer 58mpg.

Add keen prices (from £9,000/£9,500 for the three/five-door basic 1.2 petrol model) with decent equipment levels throughout the nine-specification line-up, plus low insurance gradings and the Griffin-badged supermini is on track to continue its 'best-selling small car' boast for the brand.

This model came in the sporty-looking SRi VX-Line trim, one spec below the top-ranging SE, and looks the business with 17-inch alloys, body-colour front spoiler, side sills, rear roof spoiler and body-colour door mirrors, and black foil door pillars. Inside, the sporty theme continues with sports-styled front seats and sports pedals.

It is light, breezy and nimble to thread in and out of busy city streets. Steering feels quite light but is precise and does weight up well as more pressure is applied at higher speed and in demanding bends where the Corsa demonstrated excellent grip.

Its sport-set suspension enhances handling and composure even on switchback roads and there's plenty of interaction to provide a rewarding drive. The suspension is slightly firm but is by no means uncomfortable, even on our ravaged streets and roads.

Power delivery is smooth and lively, particularly in mid-range, and while the engine is fairly noisy at start-up and often sounds mechanical at low speed, it settles down to acceptable levels at cruising speeds.

The five-speed transmission works well though there is some notchiness at times. However, it's easy to synchronise into smoother shifting in no time at all.

Inside feels spacious and bigger than its exterior dimensions suggest while the dashboard and layout is simple to use and access and the cabin generally feels much more contemporary than previous models. The 285-litre boot isn't massive but is reasonable and can accommodate a decent load.

With a price tag of £15,560, it does seems high for a three-door supermini but the sporting accoutrements and lots of extras justify the SRi VX-Line cost, bearing in mind the above-listed equipment, plus further features such as hill-start assist, electronic stability control, six airbags, electric front windows, air con, cruise control, multi-function trip controller, steering-wheel mounted controls, chrome-effect exhaust tailpipe extension and 60/40 folding rear seat.