(26/09/2012)

WE LIKE small cars here at Examiner Motoring. There is something about a really well sorted supermini that appeals in this quarter because these cars boast more character and personality than many larger ones, as well as having a big hearted nature in a very small package.

Small cars are by nature designed to be practical and utilitarian, as well as being cheap to buy and own; but that is not the essence of the genre. Look back in automotive history and ask yourself why the original Alec Issigonis-designed Mini was such a massive and ongoing success or why the original Dante Giacosa-penned Topolino Fiat 500 became the car that kick-started Italy’s post-war automotive industry? The fact that Fiat has gone back to its roots to make a new 500, or that BMW cherry-picked the Austin Rover Group’s product line-up so that it could gain control of the Mini name, only highlights how important these original superminis were — and continue to be.

Few have — and few ever will — topped the achievements of Issigonis and Giacosa, but that is not going to stop them trying. This was clearly evidenced by VW a last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show when it introduced its new Up! supermini, or micromini, as it is. The Up! has garnered a whole host of awards globally since then and it has also fathered two other contenders in the segment — Skoda’s Citigo and the Mii from Seat, both companies, of course, being VW

subsidiaries.

This week we concern ourselves with the Skoda offspring, a car I was hugely impressed with. Although we only tried the three-door version, which would not be my natural choice as I’d prefer a five-door any day, I still walked away from the

Skoda thinking that it would certainly be a machine on my wish list if I had to buy a micromini.

The three cars share much commonality — only the exterior and interior looks define them as individuals. That being said, the Skoda is a cute little thing without being a jaw-dropper. Clad in its corporate lime green colour, it certainly stands out, but it is not in any way a stand-out.

It looks sharp without

being either offensive or particularly distinctive. Its metier is obviously in the urban environment and in such surrounds it does everything that might be asked of it without demur. The controls are light and easy and this makes for a very pleasant companion around town. While I had the car, however, I decided to take it out of its comfort zone and subjected it to several longish trips which established that the Citigo is more that simply a competent town car. I have always found that the measure of such machines is best found when you take them out of their preferred environment and see what they are like when the gloves are really off.

There are two engines on offer with the Citigo and both are three-cylinder one-litre engines, although the lesser of the two only outputs some 44 kW/60 bhp. But, even driving this version, I was very impressed by its willingness to please and its actual ability on the open road was surprisingly good.

While the three cylinder’s characteristic ‘thrum’ is well in evidence, the car is surprisingly fleet and although the 14.4 second 0-100kph time is far from astonishing and the 160kph top speed is equally unmindbending, out on the motorway the car will cruise along nicely and even has enough in hand to allow you undertake passing manoeuvres without scaring the daylights out of you or your passengers.

The handling is decent too, although probably not quite as dynamic as that of the Up! and the ride is also firm but comfortable.

The interior is immensely practical — to the point where drivers will be pleased by the hook built into the glove box handle to hang your handbag from — and the amount of storage compartments they have squeezed into the small amount of space available is impressive.

The driving position is good and a decent level of comfort can be achieved thanks to the adjustability of the seat and the steering column. Shoulder room is good too and access and egress from the rear isn’t bad for a three door.

Boot space too is decent enough for a town car and the weekly shop will be accommodated with ease — even more so with the 60:40 rear seats folded down.

In terms of specification the Citigo is not bad; we tested the middle-of-the-road Ambition version and such as ESP, front electric windows and remote central locking, six speaker stereo, on board computer and electric mirrors are all part of the deal.

For most purchasers, the price will be crucial for Citigo and it is roughly a grand cheaper across the three models than its VW sibling.

I thought this was a really chipper little car and I loved my time with it. I’m sure anyone who tries one will arrive at a similar conclusion.