At the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show Suzuki will unveil an all-new compact hatchback called Suzuki Baleno. Building on the success of the company’s small models of the past, the Baleno promises to raise the bar for hatchbacks everywhere.

While full details of the new Suzuki Baleno are yet to be revealed, the Japanese company tells us it is the kind of car that delivers much greater value than its size might suggest. Small Suzukis always have. Where we stop agreeing with them is when they say the Baleno has “an elegant and powerful design.” It really doesn’t. At best, it looks average.

Style might not be the main area of excellence for Suzuki Baleno, but the car has enough substance to make up for it. Built upon a brand-new lightweight platform, the compact car features a 1.0-litre direct-injection turbo BOOSTERJET engine, and SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) featuring engine assist by an integrated starter generator. These are not common stuff in this class.

In short then, the Baleno, when it launches in Europe next summer, will offer its customers a practical, efficient, and extremely well-built package that lacks in charm and charisma, but makes up for it with sheer hard and honest work.