Citroen C1

Part of the C1/Peugeot 107/Toyota Aygo triumvirate, the Citroen C1 is a supermini that makes budget-car shopping at least a little bit more interesting. Cheap doesn’t have to be dull.

• Comfort

  The C1 can get a bit choppy - a short wheelbase and firm damping see to that - but it's not a bad performance. The three-cylinder engine can get a bit buzzy when pushed, but it'll cope with revs. You can manage short motorway trips too, though a cross-continental jaunt is probably a bit beyond the comfort zone.

  

• Performance

  Two engines on offer; a natty little 68bhp three-pot, 1.0-litre petrol or a 1.4-litre, four-cylinder diesel with 55bhp. The three-cylinder is great, hitting 62mph in 13.7 seconds, which sounds slow but feels fine in the car. The diesel is slower, hitting the benchmark in 15.6 seconds, but it's a bit more relaxed and you don't have to batter the five-speed manual to get the best out of it. Neither car hits 100mph. But who cares?

  

• Cool

  Not really. But as an anti-fashion statement for an urban-based humanoid then perfectly acceptable. You can justify, but you won't be showing off about it.

  

• Quality

  Toyota builds all three variants, so although they are definitely built to a budget with fairly Spartan spec, the dash is funky and well put together. Nothing feels like it'll break, just don't expect a leather dungeon.

  

• Handling

  Nippy with a firm ride and precise handling, the car makes short work of beating congestion. Body lean is good through twisty roads but grip is lost quickly when pushing on too hard. The C1/107/Aygo rides bumps well, but they can still be felt in the cabin.

  

• Practicality

  For town-based driving little beats these three, simply because they are small, easy to see out of and cheap-but-not-tacky. You can seat four - something a Smart can't do. There isn't any luggage space to speak of though, despite that all-glass tailgate it manages just 139 litres. You can fold the seats down in a 50/50 stylie to get 751 litres, but the access to it is really quite, erm, quirky.

  

• Running costs

  Doesn't get better than this. Insurance and servicing costs will be low while the fuel economy is excellent - the C1 1.4 HDI returns a staggering 68.9mpg.