Small is beautiful in the case of the tiny 898cc petrol engine that powers the latest Renault Clio.

Conscious of the fact that some motorbikes have bigger engines than this supermini, I’d mentally prepared for a very leisurely week of driving.

So it came as a pleasant surprise to find that this sub-litre powerplant is actually quite characterful and seldom seems to be noticeably underpowered.

The three-cylinder 90hp unit features an ultra low-inertia turbo that swings into action from low engine speeds, developing 135Nm of torque at just 2000rpm.

There are some flat spots in performance but, if you work the car hard enough, it will get from a standing start to 62mph in a respectable time of just over 12 seconds on the way to a potential top speed of 111mph.

And if you feel that an engine of this size is perky enough in the performance stakes, then you’ll undoubtedly be rewarded with some impressive running costs.

The TCe petrol engine will return 56mpg on the combined cycle and 114g/km of CO2, which are figures to challenge the perception that you have to run a diesel car to cut down running costs.

For those keen to maximise fuel economy, there are several aids to help you on your way, including a driving style monitor, which rates your performance with green, yellow or orange, while there’s also a Gear Change Indicator on the dashboard.

The fact the engine weighs so little also helps the car’s nimbleness when it comes to handling, with the front of the Clio being very eager to turn.

The steering is relatively fast and quite light, which means the Clio turns in quickly when there’s a decent level of grip on offer.

However, there is an element of body roll to watch out for in the corners.

In the heavy rain brought about by last week’s Storm Freya, the Clio coped well with the variable levels of grip caused by standing water on road surfaces.

Petrol models are accompanied by a five-speed manual gearbox, which is a bit lacking in precision, so isn’t great fun to use.

In terms of looks, the Clio has a clear sense of style, with notable features being its bold nose, which was updated in 2016 as part of a mid-life refresh.

Its eye-catching curves and disguised rear door handles hidden in the C-pillars are also nice touches.

Inside, the cabin has a modern and classy appearance, with one of the main features being a user-friendly tablet-style control screen.

There are still some scratchy plastics but the overall ambience is excellent, with the interior now featuring the type of finishing material more generally reserved for Renault’s higher-end models.

With an extra 30mm over its predecessor, the Clio has been stretched somewhat, which makes for a roomy interior.

Headroom and legroom in the front is especially good, and the boot is class-leading, but the Clio isn’t quit so specious in the back seats.

Indeed, its low roofline, small side windows and high-mounted rear bench make the back seats a little tight for taller passengers.

There’s plenty of storage space around the cabin, including cubby holes in front of the gear stick, central armrest and door panels.

As is the trend these days, Renault is offering personalisation options which include bodywork decals for the roof and matching colour schemes for the paint and interior.

The 0.9 TCe engine is available with ‘Play’, ‘Iconic’ and ‘GT Line’ trim levels.

Prices start from about £14,000, which is a figure that undercuts a number of key rivals.

In conclusion, the Clio offers great fuel economy, low emissions, a car that’s practical and can seat five, is reasonably good fun to drive, and has decent equipment levels.