The Charade stops playing games

ROAD TEST/Daihatsu Charade: With the average speed in Dublin now in the region of 8 mph, 0-60 mph performance is not always relevant factors for motorists. Between 1991 and 1997, the average speed of peak-time Dublin road traffic had fallen from 14 mph to 8.5 mph, and this figure is expected to fall to 5 mph by 2016.

While true petrolheads will sell their granny for an extra 50 bhp, others would gladly trade their lumbering family saloon for something that will run on air, turn on a cat's eye and fits between the aisles of a supermarket.

For these folks, the city car segment was designed. Catering for their whims are the city cars, such as the Fiat Seicento or the competitively priced Suzuki Alto. Now we have a very competitive entrant from Daihatsu - the Charade.

The latest Charade bears little or no relationship to its predecessors, the popular supermini of the 1980s and early 1990s which seemed to be the choice of transport for every small shopkeeper. They were cheap and cheerful and there was even a Gti version. While the Cuore took its place, thankfully Daihatsu has chosen to tag this new car with the Charade name. While the old model was very well regarded and can be seen on our roads to this day, the latest version has reversed its predecessor's proportions. The mid-1980s version was squat and wide, sacrificing height for more boxy roominess.

Standing 1.5 metres tall, but just over 1.3 metres in width, the new version can proudly boast a roomy interior, if a little tight on elbow room. What's more it has a power punch that can capably see of competition from some of the larger supermini models on the market.

Powered by a nippy little three-cylinder engine, it can dart around town without bother yet it's well up to the motorway task if a visit to faraway relatives is called for.

It's not exactly quiet and the extra height gets caught in crosswinds on the open expanses of motorway, but generally we found it comfortable on journeys of about 60 miles.

With a 0-60 mph in 12.4 seconds that's ahead of the rest of the pack, thanks in part to its lightweight body, weighing in at just 740kg. More importantly, it also leads to very impressive fuel consumption figures, coming in with a combined consumption of 58.9 mpg for the 5-speed manual version.

All these figures change however, when the car is laden with four adults. But the engine still manages to pull along and despite the presence of three burly passengers we managed to scurry along through the Dublin suburbs without too much of a struggle.

Behind the wheel and the Charade is actually quite enjoyable to drive, with the engine humming along nicely. Changing gear is effortless as well thanks to the long gearstick, which is at hand when needed. A well set ratio for the gears also helps in city traffic, though we did find it needed extra gas to get up and running when fully laden.

At medium speed it does have a tendency to trip over itself in corners when pushed, but who is really going to be pushing a Charade and our initial concern about it threatening to tip over never materialised. Those little wheels kept us touching terra firma at all times.

In fact it handles better than many of the mini-MPVs on the market. The ride isn't harsh or jolting and despite its high roof and narrow width, body roll is generally well contained.

The car is very nimble and thanks to its short front and excellent visibility we found it a joy in car parks. The turning circle is so impressive, we even managed to turn the car in a tight multistorey car park, to the incredulity of watching attendants.

Of course safety is important in such a small car and standard specifications are quite impressive, including dual front airbags where some competitors only offer one, and ABS brakes - with EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution) which in layman's terms means it distributes the brake force optimally to all four wheels.

Driver and passenger front airbags are standard, the front seatbelts are height-adjustable and have pretensioners, and both front and rear seats have height-adjustable headrests. Only two three-point seatbelts in the back, however, with the central seat having just a lap belt.

Daihatsu claims its structure provides sufficient cabin space and protection for driver and passengers to survive 50km/h front and side collisions with a heavier vehicle. While it has central locking it is not remote-controlled and it was back to turning the key in the door, something we hadn't tried for quite some time, but hardly a great inconvenience.

Inside and the cabin is relatively well finished considering additional features add cost.

It's actually quite a comfortable car to sit in and easy to get in and out thanks in part to the doors which open at nearly 90 degrees to the car, and the high seating position, with the front seats 580mm above the ground.

Back seat legroom is good enough to carry two adults without complaint (admittedly not for long) but for all this extra cabin space, it's the boot that suffers. Forget about golf, you'll be lucky to get a couple of tennis rackets and a sports bag in the back. Thankfully the rear seats fold down 60:40, increasing the luggage capacity to 157 litres.

The layout and plastics are all tastefully done and well put together, with our only criticisms reserved for the location of the front electric window switches, hidden to the left of the steering wheel, a radio that borders on fiddly, and the lack of larger cubbyhole for throwing a mobile phone or loose change. The ones that are there, have a tendency to throw anything in them out onto the floor when you get go

Of course, it's a car built down to a price, but this is not the overall impression you get when driving or riding in the car.

The dials are nicely presented and easy to read. There's even a little farewell message which comes up when you turn off the car and remove the key.

What most impresses is the mix of price, at €11,495, and the level of standard equipment; from its ABS brakes to the two airbags, power steering and CD player this is a well-kitted car for its class.

While there are others on the market with a lower price, the Charade will definitely be in the running with first timers and older motorists who are looking for a good city run around and with a close eye on the purse strings. All in all, it's a welcome return to the Charade model name to these shores.