It’s a Ford Fiesta that, with a few choice extras attached, was delivered to me with a price of nearly £28,000. And it’s not even a fast one. I know… But once you’ve stopped rolling about laughing there is a serious point to be made here. Two in fact.

First, the Fiesta’s run of over a dozen years as Britain’s best-selling car has ended and it is the job of this facelift for the seventh generation Fiesta to get it back. Second, you don’t have to spend that much, or even close, of which more in a minute.

For now be advised the Fiesta has had the front and rear nip-and-tuck usually reserved for facelift models. Inside the interior is smarter and has an all new digital dash. Under the skin, the news is all about the addition of a mild hybrid drive that, on paper at least, brings better fuel consumption and lower emissions. So much so that this car uses less fuel with a 123bhp mild hybrid than with an unadorned 99bhp motor. It’s still a fabulous car.

The one I had was the top-notch, 153bhp model (still from a 1-litre, three-cylinder engine) in ritzy ST-Line Vignale spec, but I really can’t see that you’d be losing much of any importance if you had a 123bhp mid-spec Titanium for just over £20,000. It’s great to look at, handles terrifically, has the world’s best sub 1-litre motor and even feels quite well-built now. Very few cars at any price are more fit for purpose than this.

Ford Fiesta ST-Line Vignale 1.0L Ecoboost

Price £24,040
Engine 1-litre, three cylinders, turbocharged, mild hybrid
Power 123bhp
Torque 140lb ft
Weight 1217kg
Power to weight 126bhp per tonne
Transmission Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
0-60mph 8.9sec
Top speed 136mph
CO2 121g/km
Economy 53.3mpg
Verdict Thumbs up on every front.