Chevrolet Matiz

Our verdict

Yup, the Chevrolet Matiz is a re-badged Daewoo Matiz (it changed at the beginning of 2005). It remains substantially the same; small, cheap, practical, and less desirable than Jim Royle.

Comfort

Crashes over small potholes, falls into bigger ones entirely. Also apparently has an interior constructed entirely from recycled plastic wastepaper baskets, so feels loud and wearing after any length of time.

Performance

The engine choice of 800cc or 1.0-litre should tell you plenty; this isn't supposed to be fast. Still, the 800 struggles to 90mph (probably enough in town, no?) but still takes 18.2 seconds to get to 62mph. Add the auto option and that inflates to 21.9 seconds to 62 - the slowest car on sale. The 1.0-litre isn't much better; 0-62mph in 14.1 and on to 97mph. So the word ‘performance' is relative.

Cool

So cheap and non-conformist it's almost an anti-fashion statement (no it isn't - ed).

Quality

The Matiz feels like a car from its price range, so built to a low budget. Cheap plastics make for a shiny interior, but at least the engines should be ok.

Handling

The steering's so light it feels barely connected and the car is relatively tall and narrow, so it feels like it leans massively through any sort of corner. More suited to town driving.

Practicality

You can fit two humans in the front, but the back is only for those who have disrespected you in the past. The boot is only 104litres, making it the same size as some of the larger handbags on the market. But this is a cheap car, so you can afford not to fall in love.

Running costs

Cheapington of Thrifty Street, on the shore of Frugal Island. Insurance groups are the lowest you can possibly get (1 and 2), and the Matiz gets reasonable economy - 54.3mpg for the 800cc and 50.4mpg for the 1.0-litre. Buy a base-spec car and enjoy for town driving.