I find the engine is a bit gutless and unresponsive up to about 2000 rpm, whilst it is within the Atkinson cycle rev range, once you get to higher revs it is fairly gutsy for a 1.3L.
However the fuel economy is better within the Atkinson cycle and it is acceptable at low revs, getting the good economy, as long as you don't need to accelerate or drive up a steep hill, in which case you simply rev it up a bit.
The only time I've thought I really had to cane it was 4up with a roof box on the motorway driving to Scotland through mountain ranges.
To be sure it'll do what you want, you really need to test drive one over the type of roads you plan to use it on.
Mine has been faultless over the two and a half years I've owned it.