Aveo. It’s an under-stated car which should be better known than it is.

This is Chevrolet’s offering in the supermini market dominated by Fiesta, Corsa and co and it has benefitted from a major facelift of late.

It means that a car which was already worth considering now definitely demands a closer look. Superminis have improved in recent years which is great news for drivers on a budget. Cars in this class now commonly offer the space, refinement and style that only much larger vehicles used to offer.

With the addition of better, engines including diesels, they now have the legs to take longer journeys in their stride.

Chevrolet engineers have been busy of late. The Volt electric car is doing well and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is driving one, thanks to a deal with the football club, and the Cruze Station Wagon was launched recently to join the existing hatchback version.

They are helping Chevrolet, which only returned to Europe in 2005, to be one of the fastest-expanding marques. In fact, Cruze has become one of the brand’s top-selling models and since its launch in 2009, more than 1.7 million have been sold.

So, it was with some excitement that Aveo was given a facelift. Many years have passed since the transition from Daewoo to Chevrolet, and the interiors of modern Chevrolets are significantly better these days.

The past few years have seen a gradual shift for the better, and this latest generation Aveo is a fine example of what’s been achieved. Chunky controls and solid-looking plastics dominate the cabin. Seats are supportive, while those in the back of this hatch are no less attractive and equally hard wearing. Of similar importance is the ambience, which is far removed from the budget environment of old.

The cabin is now a fine place to be. It is uncluttered, easy to use and there is plenty of room for occupants. On the first point, the Aveo’s various dials and controls are intuitive and located where you expect them to be.

Everything works well and the mix of analogue and digital displays has been executed well.

At the rear there’s a good size boot offering a maximum of 653 litres of space once you fold the rear seats to boost its carrying capacity. Overall, despite its size, the Aveo is a surprisingly practical machine. It easily fits the bill as a first car, but would also cope well as a stepping stone to something bigger.

An important addition to the Aveo’s engine line-up is a 1.3-litre diesel motor boasting sub-100g/km CO2 credentials. While this makes sense if you need to dodge congestion charges, Chevrolet acknowledges that it’s still petrol power that delivers the vast majority of sales.

As such, the choice is between 1.2 and 1.4-litre motors producing 86 and 100 horsepower respectively. Unusually there’s a six-speed automatic gearbox option for the 1.4 motor, otherwise it’s a manual five-speed unit all round.

In the real world petrol engines offer more than enough performance – especially the 1.2. Both are refined and, surprisingly, don’t fall into the trap of some rivals by sounding thrashy and coarse when pushed hard. The 1.2 punches above its weight away from urban areas and feels like it could cope with motorway journeys. For added poke and a more relaxed motorway cruise, the 1.4 unit is better – but only just.

It’s not just the petrol units that challenge misconceptions. On the road the compact Chevrolet is a refreshingly fun and polished car to drive.

You normally expect such cars to do the A to B thing with little fuss or character, but the Aveo does it with enough enthusiasm to shame more established opposition.

It’s not a difficult to car to drive thanks to the ample assistance available from the steering and brakes, yet there’s plenty of weight and feedback from the main controls to encourage the occasion bit of spirited driving.

The car’s ride is never choppy around town and feels stable and refined at higher speeds. Even twisty roads don’t upset the Aveo, with the weighty steering and supple suspension making life easy and rewarding.

As a rounded performer Aveo is a sound and sensible proposition.

There’s no question that the competition at this level is tough, but the little Aveo offers a good mix of refinement, enjoyment and space to make itself heard.

Factor in a good standard equipment across the range – picks include air-con, cruise control, powered mirrors and front windows on the base model and alloy wheels, Bluetooth and comprehensive trip computer on the likely best selling LT variant – and it’s easy to understand Chevrolet’s bullish mood.