We review the Vauxhall Viva from price to economy and all its features

THE car on the left is a Vauxhall Viva – and so is the one on the right.

Vauxhall’s new small car revives a famous British name from the 1960s and 70s (ask your grandad).

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And just like the orginal, which cost £478 in 1963, the 2015 Viva is all about Value with a capital V.

Five doors, five seats and 62mpg, the entry £7,995 SE model is cheaper than the Citigo/Mii/Up, Aygo/108/C1 and Picanto/i10. And it is loaded with more big car kit.

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I like the way Vauxhall has kept things simple to keep a lid on cost.

Sitting below the Corsa and Adam, the baby Viva only comes in two trim levels.

But even the SE has cruise control with speed limiter, lane departure warning, easy City Mode steering, hill start assist, electric front windows, heated door mirrors, central locking and six airbags.

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You’ll also notice the colour-coded bumpers and door mirrors? Standard. Cornering front fog lights? Standard.  The £9,495 SL adds 15in alloys, tinted rear windows, USB, Bluetooth,electric aircon and a two-tone grey  dash.

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From January, you can upgrade for the smart 7in IntelliLink touchscreen that’s in the Adam and Corsa. It uses Siri, the iPhone voice control function, to read and send texts.

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Both versions of Viva use the same 1-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine as the Adam and Corsa with a slick five-speed manual.

Vauxhall quotes 62mpg and £20 road tax (CO2 104g/km). Or pay another £175 for the £8,170 SE ecoFLEX (front lip spoiler, ultra-low rolling resistance tyres) for 65mpg and free road tax (CO2 99g/km).

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It’s also the same height as the Corsa and shares the same family blade design down the sides — but it’s 34cm shorter  and 6cm narrower.

A new baby Viva is born. Long live the Viva.

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Updated... The new Viva is well kitted out

VERDICT: Bargain A to B car. Stick on the old Viva badge for a bit of retro cool.