If ever economy was top of the motorists’ shopping list, it’s now.

Petrol and diesel are shooting through the roof and drivers are facing a bewildering choice of ways to cut their motoring bills.

Hybrid? Well, a petrol-electric or diesel-electric powerplant can lead to cheap running costs but you pay a premium for the vehicle in the first place.

Electric? One day most cars will be electric but so-called range anxiety, where motorists fear being stranded with a ‘flat’ car, means we are a little way off yet, and again electric cars are pricey.

So, how about old-fashioned petrol and diesel? Well, that’s not as silly as it sounds. Engineers have created some engines which put hybrids in the shade.

In fact, it shouldn’t surprise you to find Ford is at the heart of this development. This company, with vast resources, has spent years creating some of the best engines on the road. Recent additions include a stunning one-litre in Focus capable of 56mpg and low 114g/km.

And another breakthrough is the most fuel efficient conventionally-powered family hatchback is here, a 1.6 litre diesel Focus capable of 83mpg and emissions of 89g/km. Stunning!

But you don’t need to go to such extremes. You can enjoy a little more sportiness. Here is the very impressive 1.6 litre Ecoboost, which as the name suggests is both green and sporty. At £19,745, it offers a blend of power, driveability, economy and style rarely seen in one vehicle. That such a nippy car can be so frugal is incredible.

The fact that Focus now rivals Golf as the most polished hatchback on the road shows the progress Ford has made. The car is neat and well equipped with a premium feel, something Fords of a decade ago struggled to achieve.

Even the colour – a vivid green called (for some reason) Candy Yellow failed to dampen my enthusiasm. In fact, the Focus is helping Ford to bumper sales at the moment. Ford car sales and market share was up in April and for the year to date and the company claims to have its strongest ever line up of models.

Fiesta was the UK best seller in April, taking 6.2 per cent of the total car market with 8,780 sales, up from 4.9 per cent and 6,755 sales in April, 2011. Fiesta is also the UK best-seller for the year to date but Focus is also doing well.

This latest third generation car is appealing. Although the shape is familiar, current Focus has evolved into a more streamlined vehicle. The same is true of the car’s character, which leans more towards comfort and refinement than its predecessor.

It’s a deliberate move by Ford to capture the ambience of some of its rivals. With so many car firms moving their products further up market, even regular family hatchbacks now boats the look and feel of something more expensive.

The cabin of the Focus is the most obvious example of this, with plush fabrics and glossy switchgear. The cabin is noticeably driver-centric, with the car’s major controls close to hand. Fans of the old car will feel right at home thanks to a familiar feel to the switchgear.

But it’s the emissions (139g/km) and economy (47.1mpg) which stir the interest. Frugal? Yes, but still full of verve.