Proton Savvy

Our verdict

The Proton Savvy is a new-ish and sharply styled offering, both of which facts might lead you to believe that it was half decent. But you’d be very wrong. The Proton Savvy is a stark reminder of just how good cars like the Aygo and Panda really are.

Comfort

Although the Savvy could ride worse for a cheap Malaysian hatch it's really let down by a thrashy 1.3-litre engine that fills the cabin with the most horrendous din at mid to high revs.

Performance

A claimed top speed of 99mph is moot. You'd need to have nerves of steel or an unlimited supply of Mogodon to get there. And it'd help to be stone deaf.

Cool

It's a toss up between Perodua and Proton as to which is the least cool car brand in the world. Either way you're on a hiding to nothing with the Savvy. Silly name, even sillier looks.

Quality

The Savvy is budget even by Proton's standards, and the terrible mish-mash of design ideas and cheap plastics is flung together without much though. The steering wheel, for instance, is so crudely moulded that it actually hurts to hold for any length of time.

Handling

Despite low kerbweight and a short wheelbase the Savvy doesn't drive positively at all. There's far too much body roll for starters, and it's all too easy to reach the outer limits of grip.

Practicality

The only thing we can think of that the Savvy has going for it is that is has five doors and enough room in that rear for a couple of kids. And the boot is passable too. But that doesn't improve its standing against the competition one iota.

Running costs

It's cheap to buy, but won't seem it when you sell it for absolute peanuts a couple of years later. Insurance group three is impressive, but then who would want to nick this?