Toyota Yaris

Mid-flight towards trying Toyota's mildly revised baby hatch, we had one of those trouser rustling moments you really don't need. Appearing from the clouds and heading in our direction was an errant Swiss Air jet which was most definitely violating my personal air space. From where I was sitting you could have counted the captain's fillings, and, yes, he would definitely have had his mouth wide open.

Our pilot, however, knew he was a thousand metres away, so it wasn't a paperwork moment for him, even if it nearly was for me.

So it was a relief to fold up lap table, release over-tightened seat belt and return to terra firma. Toyota has changed details, options and labels, and the Echo remains one of the neater small hatches but, according to Toyota, with a cross-range price advantage, spec-for-spec, over the opposition. So if you wish to spend between $15,000 and $21,000 and trouser, they say, as much as 40 per cent change versus a Polo, you can choose from three or five doors, 1.3 or 1.5-litre engines, manual or auto transmission, and three trim levels.

It's not a risky or risque purchase decision, as the Echo has been European and Japanese (not to mention Irish and Norwegian) Car of the Year, and is generally well regarded. Plus, by some margin, it's Toyota's biggest seller in the UK, with none of the 'so-what?' image of some of its Toyota siblings. And if it can't match the white-knuckle thrills of a mid-air near miss, choose the Sportivo model with the 80kW 1.5-litre engine and you're unlikely to nod off completely.

Briefly, cosmetic changes include new bumper rubbing strips, front vents on lower-spec models, new mesh grilles (matt black on the Sportivo), 'teardrop' headlights, all-red rear lamps, new colours, a bit more centre-console brightwork, and new trim fabrics. The 63kW 1.3-litre petrol engine is all-new for the hatch and suspension settings are tweaked.

Result? No big change in the driving experience, usefully more choice, more neatness and perceived quality - of which, for a little 'un, it genuinely isn't short.

The 80kW 1.5-litre three-door Sportivo stays warm rather than hot, with performance figures of 9.0 seconds to 100km/h and 190km/h max. It steers and stops beautifully, grips well, handles tidily, but rides like a kart and feels a bit sit-on rather than sit-in. You have to keep it buzzing too, to make quick progress - but it's fun, and has proper instruments with needles that go (if not fly) round - instead of the other versions' silly digital light shows.

Coincidentally, Echo production recently passed 200,000 cars a year. In car speak, I guess you could say there's one born every minute. No doubt what our pilot thought to himself on the flight out.

Brian Laban