THE small hatchback market might not be the most exciting segment but is it crucial to car manufacturers.

These are real cars for real people and have to perform all manner of ordinary duties for all shapes, sizes and preferences.

It's no easy task given the car makers have a limited amount to spend in order to keep these A to B-mobiles affordable.

They all do a pretty fine job but few leap off the pages for being different, recognisable or unique.

Love it or hate it, the Smart ForFour has at least ploughed its own furrow.

There's nothing else on the market that looks anything like it and its quirky aesthetics scream Smart and nothing else.

Distinctive looks aside, it actually performs really well as a car, features innovative design and technical specification and is a refreshing change in a bit of a dull sector.

The latest variant is the CDi and in Smart's inimitable fashion it is powered by a weird and wonderful 1.5 litre three-cylinder diesel engine.

It is a terrific motor in every fashion.

The three cylinders give it a nice off-beat feel and sound, the 95bhp version has huge reserves of usable power and, best of all, it will return an amazing 60+ miles per gallon.

It powers ahead when you need to accelerate and it romps along with a whisper when you are at the motorway limit.

It is refined and very easy to use whether in town, on the open road or on the highways.

Mated to a nice five-speed box and an accomplished chassis the ForFour is a terrific drive.

It is not bland and boring like many cars in the class and offers a pleasurable driving experience in every shape and form.

Ride and road-holding are excellent and the steering is light but with plenty of feel.

Handling is composed and controlled and it feels supremely secure on the road. Inside is every bit the 21st- century vehicle Smart intended with funky dials and dash, fixtures and fittings. The roof is all glass with handy draw blinds if it ever becomes too sunny.

The rear seats roll and tumble and also slide backwards and forwards to increase the space for either luggage or passengers, whichever you choose that day.

Standard equipment is high with a decent hi-fi, electric windows, central locking, air-conditioning and all manner of safety devices including anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control. Smart ForFour is there to appeal to those people who like things a little bit different and it works very well indeed.

The new diesel option is a welcome addition to the range and with fuel consumption and performance like that is well worth a look.