VAUXHALL may have revived the classic Viva name for its Agila replacement for marketing purposes, but, as the slogan goes, it’s nothing like the old car.

What it is, though, is thoroughly decent and affordable motoring.

Although Vauxhall has always done value – and the Corsa sells by the bucket load thanks to, largely, attractive finance deals – it until now hasn’t done a no-fuss, cheap-and-cheerful car really.

But the Viva is exactly that.

It’s a simple range of three specs – SE, SE/AC and SL.

They cost £7,995, £8,490 and £9,495 respectively and there’s one engine – a thrummy three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol with 75ps and a manual gearbox.

It’s a lively little engine, belying its lowly power output, and the drive is neat thanks to a sharp gearbox. You’ll get to 60mph in 13 seconds and the top speed is 106mph.

You get 62 to the gallon on the combined cycle and CO2 of just 104g/km, making road tax rather small.

I drove the base SE, which I was happy about because it hammered home the no-frills appeal of the Viva.

Spec includes all the usual safety features, as well as lane departure warning, speed-sensitive power steering, electric front windows, cruise control and heated door mirrors among other bits – very good spec for an eight grand car.

SE/AC trim adds air con, predictably enough, while the SL gets Bluetooth, six speakers, a leather-covered steering wheel, full climate control and alloys.

But I reckon the charm of the Viva lies in base spec.

Interior quality is very good, with nice materials and a fairly premium overall feel – nothing feels cheap.

Space is good in the front, but rear passengers will find it a bit of a squeeze and the boot isn’t big.

But for me the Viva feels fresher and more exciting than the ever-popular Corsa, even though that car was overhauled earlier this year.

I’d save some cash and go Viva.