The biggest surprise from Renault's latest version of the Clio is that it is a smidgen over 13ft long.

That means it is a pretty compact car, but the sensations experienced at the wheel are of a car in a class, maybe two, above.

The cabin is bright, light and gives a sense of roominess of a much larger vehicle.

But it is only when you have fired up the start button nothing as ordinary as a key on the test model that the real improvements to the Clio come through.

Solidly built, taut handling and superbly comfortable, the sharply-styled Clio puts the emphasis firmly on driving pleasure with distance no object. Despite its compact dimensions, the Clio quietly and merrily munches miles.

Using suspension inspired by the latest Mgane, the Clio's handling is nicely balanced, due to a long wheelbase, wide track and low centre of gravity.

The interior is classy, takes up to five people in comfort and offers plenty of choice with six different interior trim levels and three equipment levels.

The test car came in Dynamique trim with a dark charcoal dashboard, set off by a satin-finish chrome separating strip. The climate control display, gear lever base, vent controls and instrument dials are also all framed in satin-finish chrome.

From this trim level up, the Clio has a so-called "slush" dashboard which is softer to the touch. Also from the Dynamique trim level up, the exterior features body-coloured rear-view mirrors and body-coloured B-pillars.

There is plenty of choice too on the engine front, with 1.2-litre, 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre 16-valve petrol engines, while the 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine comes in a choice of three power outputs: 70, 85 and 105 horsepower.

Along with the Modus, the new Clio is the first car in its class to offer additional cornering headlamps, while double-distance xenon headlamps are also available for improved night-time visibility.

Other active safety improvements include the fitting, as standard, of anti-lock brakes combined with electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency brake assist.

The new car is also available with an electronic stability programme, combining traction control and understeer control. Passive safety, too, has been a prime concern at Renault for some time and the Clio is packed with up to eight airbags.

In short, a class act and an unsurprising winner of the Car of the Year title.

Auto facts Renault Clio 1.4 S 16V 3dr Dynamique

  • Price: £10,550
  • Insurance group: Four
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 42.8mpg
  • Top speed: 114mph
  • Length: 398.6cm/157in
  • Width: 170.7cm/67.2in
  • Luggage capacity: 10.1 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 12.1 gallons/55 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 158g/km
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles