NISSAN gave up on hatchbacks to focus, somewhat successfully, on crossovers.

But now it is back in the hatchback game and the Pulsar is an all-new car.

After selling buckets of Qashqais and Jukes, is Nissan getting back into one of the most competitive sectors.

The Pulsar looks pretty good, in a way that evokes memories of its hatchbacks of old, and it drives well.

I took out the top-spec Tekna, which is all-singing and dancing.

The 1.2 DIG-T petrol engine has got a surprising amount of poke and suits the car well, while returning a decent 56 to the gallon – I managed 40s in the real world – and emitting a reasonably 115g/km of CO2.

The diesel’s worth a look, too, at 78 to the gallon and a saintly 94g/km, making it well up there with the best on the market when it comes to efficiency.

All cars look well-trimmed, with five-inch colour screen, Bluetooth, USB, alloys, stop-start, air con and cruise control.

That’s a very good list and seems like a statement of intent from Nissan – heading down the value-added route as it tries to tempt buyers. It's a method that has worked elsewhere for others and Nissan will be hoping that it does the same for them.

Safety features are plentiful too, with forward emergency braking, all-round camera, lane departure warning, moving object detection and blind spot warning all available.

Move up the specs and there’s dual-zone climate control, auto headlights, digital radio, sat nav and the like.

Nissan is known for its tech and the good stuff found on the Qashqai and the like has filtered its way down to the new Pulsar nicely.

Granted, the Pulsar probably isn’t going to set your world alight, but it’s a solid, quality car that has plenty of built-in value.

But it’s a tough market and only time will tell as to whether Nissan has done enough to take the fight to the established, volume-selling cars.

Prices are from £15,995 up to £21,945.

Find out more at westovergroup.co.uk/nissan