Citroen C2

The Citroen C2 is a small three-door supermini that was supposed to become an object of affection among the nation’s youth. Never quite managed it, but this is cheap and cheerful motoring.

• Comfort

  You'll get a fair bit of bump-thump in a C2 thanks to that tautness that makes it fun to drive in the first place. It's small, can be noisy and isn't the best freeway car. Stick local and it makes sense. The ‘Sensodrive' doesn't make for a great auto.

  

• Performance

  The C2 is perky rather than fast in all guises. Only two derivitives of the 1.6 petrol on sale in Aus: 80 or 90kW and 143 or 147Nm. The C2 does the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.9 and 8.3 seconds respectively.

  

• Cool

  Cheap and good-looking, so cool if you're young and this is your first car. Less so if you're pushing 40.

  

• Quality

  The door-slam test makes the C2 feel a bit like an old Renault - made of tin foil. Then again, it feels sturdy enough inside and on the dash - if you can get past all the ‘yoof' orientated bits and bobs like the see-through gear knob and seats that look like a radioactive cat has puked on them.

  

• Handling

  Based on the C3's chassis, the C2 feels substantially sportier; little body roll and decent grip make this one of the funnier cars to punt along at modest speeds.

  

• Practicality

  You can get four in it, at a push, mainly thanks to a sliding rear bench that can choose between legs and luggage. The tailgate is split too, so that helps with the odd bit of shopping - but this is not a big car. Easy to park and use though, especially in town.

  

• Running costs

  Cheap to insure, which was surely the point from Citroen - even the sporty-sounding VTR. Both engines will return sub7L/100km.