YOU might guess from the youthfulness of its name that Suzuki’s Splash is aimed at a younger market of couples and families than the car it replaced, the versatile Wagon R.

Long gone are the set-square looks, replaced by a chunky, cheeky cuteness. Yet it has retained the tall roof that helped the Wagon succeed at a shade under 1.6 metres in height.

Inevitably it makes getting in a breeze, and you are greeted by a modern dashboard of sturdy buttons and solid materials neatly laid out.

The high driving position gives a good view out, and a choice of colours for the cabin means the traditional greys can be left behind.

The short-throw gear lever mounted in a relatively high position on the centre console makes for effortless shifting and is perfectly suited to the car.

Headroom is sufficient for a milliner taking their work home with them, while legroom in the back is sufficient to carry two average-sized adults in comfort, and three at a push – not bad for a car that can still do the urban tango into a tight parking spot.

The boot is tall rather than long, but it extends via the drop-down rear seats and there’s useful waterproofed storage compartment under the floor. Don’t expect to get a couple of suitcases in the back without lowering the rear seats.

Fold these seats and you can have 573 litres of space with a near-flat floor for mini-van capacity. Here, the Splash scores highly again, because the rear seats – split 60/40 – can be dropped to the floor with one finger and the headrests do not have to be removed.

There’s also such an array of storage areas for maps, keys, bottles, phones and CDs that you might end up forgetting where you placed items.

Cars of this size are rarely built for fun driving, but the Splash is helped by using the acclaimed platform of the bigger Swift, and inherits some of its dynamic qualities to cope with winding country roads and the demands of city life.

The electric power steering is designed for twirling in the city, but on the open road it is sufficiently sharp, and although it leans a little the Splash hangs on gamely when pressed. The ride quality is also above average for the class, helped by the long wheelbase.

More than anything, the Splash feels like a bigger car squeezed into a lower class.

With its small footprint but extra generous cabin, the Splash is ideally suited to urban-centric duties. It will easily fit on your driveway, slot gracefully into those ever-shrinking city-centre car park spaces and prove anything but a chore to pilot.

Two spirited but highly economical engines are offered: Suzuki’s 68PS 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit and the new Dual VVT (Variable Valve Timing) 94 PS 1.2-litre petrol engine that was first used in the all-new Swift.

Both engines are tuned and engineered with an emphasis on everyday driveability and cost-effective motoring, with combined fuel consumptions of 55.4mpg for the 1.0-litre; and coincidentally, 55.4 for the 1.2-litre (automatic 49.6). For the new and more powerful 1.2-litre Dual VVT engine with manual transmission, this represents an eight per cent improvement over the previous 1.2 (51.4mpg), as well as seven per cent fewer emissions (119g/km vs 129g/km) The 1.0-litre also emits 119 g/km CO2, meaning they both qualify for £30 annual road tax, free in the first year.

Four models make up the Splash range. The 1.0-litre is available in SZ3 trim; the 1.2 model in either SZ3 or SZ4 grades with an automatic transmission available on the SZ4 model.

Splash 1.0-litre SZ3 and 1.2-litre SZ3 models offer a high equipment list as standard,including four airbags, CD tuner with MP3 player and steering wheel-mounted audio controls; leather-trimmed steering wheel; remote central locking; front electric windows with driver’s auto-down; manual air conditioning; electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors; height-adjustable front seats; tilt adjustable steering wheel; and an information display.

Step up from SZ3 1.2-litre to SZ4 and the standard specification is even higher with ESP (Electronic Stability Programme), curtain shield airbags, 15-inch alloys, front foglamps and privacy glass on the rear side windows and tailgate.

The revised Splash SZ4 models feature keyless entry for simple door unlocking/locking and engine start-up. With this system, there is no fumbling to insert a key in the lock or press a remote. All you need to do is have the key in your pocket or bag and press the small black button on the door handle to unlock.

Frugal and with modest annual running costs, the Splash makes an ideal first car or one for a family on a budget.

Suzuki Splash 1.2 SZ4

Price: £10,595 (Splash range from £9,495.

Engine: 1.2-litre dual VVT petrol, generating 94 bhp.

Transmission: Five-speed manual, driving front wheels.

Performance: 0 to 62mph in 12 seconds; top speed 109mph.

Economy: 55.4mpg combined.

CO2 Rating: 119g/km.