WITH the recent rise in choice and quality available from far eastern manufacturers, there’s no question that the traditional lines separating mainstream from budget products are now blurred ones.

The Fords and Vauxhalls of this world are no longer the only source for low cost, compact cars. Companies like Suzuki are making significant inroads, not just in the marketplace but also in the minds of buyers.

One such car providing a credible alternative to what we’ve been used to for years is the Splash. No laughing at the back now despite the name, this is a serious proposition from Suzuki.

Saying that compact hatches are just that, compact, is something of a misnomer these days. Having slowly, steadily grown in size in recent years, the prospect of having one as your first family car is no less credible than opting for something from the mainstream opposition.

In the case of the Splash, Suzuki’s compact hatch majors on cabin space. It’s taller than your average hatchback - that much is obvious from even a quick glance - and the resultant extra head, leg and elbowroom fore and aft is not only most welcome but also goes a long way to helping to justify the purchase.

With its small footprint but extra generous cabin, the Splash is ideally suited to urban-centric duties. It will easily fit out on the road outside your house, slot gracefully into those ever-shrinking city centre car park spaces and prove anything but a chore to pilot when it feels like the everyone’s out to get you on the commute to work.

Noticeably more upright in its stance than most rivals, this is how the Splash manages to cram so much into its modest form. Rear seat passengers will appreciate the car’s looks the most - the generous amount of headroom in the back is largely a direct result of the little Suzuki’s straight-back-and-down profile.

Stadium-style rear seats with their elevated seating position help liberate the extra legroom that’s so often lacking in cars in this class. And while this focus on the cabin is to be commended, it’s not at the expense of the luggage area. Small cars naturally come with small boots, but the Splash offers users a good size area for transporting the weekly shopping. The ability to fold the rear seats to increase the available load space is, obviously, an especially welcome benefit on a car of this size.

A car’s size can be deceptive, though. With something like the Splash you’d be forgiven for thinking that the driving experience is secondary to its ability to accommodate the family and all their clobber. The good news is that this isn’t the case with the Splash.

One upside of being small is the need for small, frugal engines. The Splash gets by with a trio of modest units; on the petrol front there are 1.0 and 1.2-litre engines with 68 and 86 horsepower respectively plus a 75 horsepower, 1.3-litre diesel motor.

Of the three, the 1.0-litre unit is probably the most appropriate if you spend most of your time in town. It’s sprightly enough to make keeping up with the traffic a pleasant experience, while there’s enough power hidden away to ensure that the occasional foray on the motorway never feels anything but safe and civilised. Factor in a slick manual gearshift located nice and high on the car’s fascia plus steering with plenty of assistance, and you’ve got a car that’s easy to drive whatever the conditions. It’s also frugal and boasts modest annual running costs, making it an ideal first car or one for a new family on a budget.

With its attractive styling and all the basic comfort and safety equipment you could possibly need at this price point, in 1.0-litre trim Suzuki’s Splash offers an above average level of practicality, performance and value for money in an easy on the eye package. Looking at the evidence, it would appear that one former minor player has finally gone mainstream.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Model: Suzuki Splash 1.0 GLS 5dr, from £8,750 on the road.
Engine: 1.0-litre petrol unit developing 68bhp.
Transmission: 5-speed manual transmission as standard, driving the front wheels.
Performance: Maximum speed 99mph, 0-62mph 14.7 seconds.
Economy: 56.5mpg.
CO2 Rating: 120g/km.