TOPBUYSOF2009INPROFILE: SMALL CITY CARSSmall city cars have never been as big sellers in Ireland as on the Continent, but if you are looking for a little motor to zip around town in, then they may the one for you. They offer practicality, efficiency and can be a lot of fun writes Paddy Comyn
TOYOTA AYGO
Price: €10,550-€13,650
NCAP Crash Test:****
Seats: 4
Doors: 3/5
Engines: 1.0-litre
Trim levels: Aura, Strata, Terra
Quality and reliability: ****
The Aygo is a tiny little thing, but it is incredibly well put together - lightweight but built of solid stuff. With Toyota's remarkable built quality and reputation for reliability behind it, you know that it will last. Toyota is consistently at the top of reliability surveys and it is easy to see why when you look at this little car.
Performance: ***
There is only one engine option and that is the three-cylinder, 67bhp, 1.0-litre engine which sounds small, but in a car this light it actually feels pretty peppy. It takes 14.2 seconds to get from 0-100km/h and there is a top speed just shy of 160km/h - all in a car that has a tiny CO2 rating of 109g/km, so it's in Band A with just €104 road tax per year.
At the wheel: ***
Despite its small size, the driving position is pretty good and the cabin is bright and airy. The car behaves very well on the road, but it could be a little more agile and the steering is somewhat slow-witted at times.
Space and comfort: **
While there is adequate room for four adults, they will struggle a little with luggage as the 139-litre boot is only suitable for small amounts of shopping and soft bags. You can fold down the seats to improve this slightly.
Safety: ***
Front and side airbags are standard on all Aygo models and this is more than some of its larger rivals. Four stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests is not bad for a car of its size.
Costs and depreciation: ****
The Aygo is incredibly cheap to run, with a 4.6-litres/100km returned by the 3-cylinder engine and €104 road tax per year.
THE CONCLUSIONS:
For: surprisingly spacious, very cute, good value, frugal
Against: lacks luggage space, you could buy a good used supermini for the same price
Irish Times verdict: a car that punches way above its weight in the class, but there is limited demand for cars of this size in Ireland
Best buy:1.0-litre Strata 5-door
FIAT 500
Price: €13,995-€17,995
NCAP Crash Test: *****
Seats: 4
Doors: 3
Engines: 1.2, 1.3D and 1.4-litre
Trim levels: Lounge, Pop, Sport
Quality and reliability: ****
So far so good with the Fiat 500. It feels well built and the Panda, upon which it is largely based, has been one of Fiat's better efforts in terms of reliability.
Some of the detailing on the car is really first class, and overall it feels quite solid and strong.
Performance: ****
There are three engine choices available on the 500, with the 69bhp petrol engine marking the entry point to the range.While this is fine around town it struggles a little out on the highways, lacking a bit of puff. The 100bhp 1.4-litre feels much peppier, taking 10.5 seconds to 100km/h and giving more immediate responses. The 1.3-litre multijet diesel is probably the best all-rounder of the bunch .
At the wheel: ***
A car that is best suited to town driving and if you have a long commute or spend a lot of time on twisty backroads it can become a little irritating. The 500's cabin is a fun place to be, if you like that sort of thing and as a cheaper alternative to the Mini it performs its task perfectly.
Space and comfort: *****
This is where the 500 scores very highly, managing to seat four in comfort thanks to some clever packaging. Legroom up front is fine and even in the back it is bearable for adults.
Safety: ****
Euro NCAP awarded the Fiat 500 five stars in their safety tests so that is a measure of how safe the 500 is because few cars of that size manage the top score. The 500 gets front, side and knee airbags for the driver and higher spec models get stability control thrown in as standard.
Costs and depreciation: ****
The 500 is going to be cheap to run as most models are Band A, with some exceptions and all are fuel efficient. The residual issue which sometimes blights Fiat's copybook shouldn't apply for some time with the 500, such is the demand for the car.
THE CONCLUSIONS:
For: great looks, great fun, decent engines
Against: could be a little better to drive
Irish Times Verdict: perfect for the fashionista, the 500 is a good little city car
Best Buy: 1.3 Multijet Lounge
HYUNDAI i10
Price: €11,995 - €13,995
NCAP Crash Test: ****
Seats: 4
Doors: 5
Engines: 1.1-litre
Trim Levels: 1.1, 1.1 Auto
Quality and reliability: ****
This car has been a real surprise hit in 2008 with many commentators remarking on just how well built the little i10 feels. The i10's cabin is a marked improvement on the Amica model it replaced.
Performance: ***
The 1.1-litre petrol engine puts out 62bhp and this equates to 0-100km/h in 16.1 seconds and a top speed of 150km/h, so unlikely to get you in too much trouble.
At the wheel: ***
Really quite a nice little car to drive, with a good driving position, great visibility and perky nature to the car that makes you smile for some odd reason. Perfect for town driving, it does start to feel a little overwhelmed on a motorway.
Space and comfort: *****
The i10 copes well with poor surfaces which is good news in Ireland and there is quite generous interior space for a car of this size. Boot capacity of 258-litres isn't bad either.
Safety and security: ****
Scored four stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests which is very respectable for a car of this size. Comes with ABS as well as driver and passenger airbags.
Running costs and depreciation: ****
Very cheap to buy and with Band A emissions it will be cheap to run too. It's early days to remark on depreciation but since it's such good value there is less to lose.
THE CONCLUSIONS:
For: well equipped, cheap, roomy
Against: pretty slow
Irish Times verdict: a great effort from Hyundai
Best buy: the manual one
KIA PICANTO
Price: €10,995-€13,195
NCAP Crash Test: ***
Seats: 5
Doors: 5
Engines: 1.0 and 1.1-litre
Trim levels: L, LX and LX Auto
Quality and reliability: ***
The Picanto doesn't feel all that special inside. The cabin has rather brittle-feeling plastics in many places, but then this is a very cheap car so you need not expect too much. Having said that, there is the back-up of a pretty decent warranty and the mechanics are straightforward enough so there can't be too much that can go wrong.
Performance: ***
There are two petrol engines available to choose from - with a heady 60bhp and 64bhp respectively. Both have five-speed gearboxes and there is the option of an automatic on the 1.1-litre which makes it one of the cheapest automatic cars you can buy. Choose the larger engine unless you are really constrained by price, as it does do a better job of hauling you and the car around.
At the wheel: **
There is nothing to get too excited about in terms of either the driving experience or the cabin. It is easy to tell that driving dynamics were not top priority when the Kia engineers sat down to design this baby. It is functional and around town, where this car will spend most of its time. There is not a whole lot of feel in the steering but it is an easy car to pilot and the whole experience is fuss-free.
Space and comfort: ***
The tall roofline provides decent enough headroom and passenger legroom. It is not that easy to get a comfortable driving position because the driver seat doesn't adjust for height. Boot space of 220-litres is small.
Safety: **
You only get ABS brakes and driver and passenger airbags so safety equipment is limited, and the car ly scored only three stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests.
Costs and depreciation: ****
One of the cheapest cars to buy on the Irish market and also incredibly cheap to run and own. Servicing costs are small too. The manual versions are Band A, with the 1.1-litre Automatic car a Band B vehicle.
THE CONCLUSIONS:
For: very cheap but good value too, cute and practical.
Against: ride could be better, interior not wonderful and short on safety equipment.
Irish Times verdict: a very good entry-level car, but Panda and Aygo/107/C1 are better.
Best buy: 1.1
RENAULT TWINGO
Price: €11,600 - €15,600
NCAP Crash Test: ****
Seats: 4
Doors: 3
Engines: 1.2-litre
Trim levels: Royale, Dynamique, GT
Quality and reliability: ***
Renault has not always enjoyed the best reputation for build quality but one of their key aims is putting that right and the Twingo does feel pretty well bolted together.
Performance: ****
There are three power outputs available from the 1.2-litre engine, with 60bhp at entry-level, 75bhp in the Dynamique and the turbocharged GT gets 100bhp. The 16v 75bhp version is probably the best all-rounder.
At the wheel: ****
The Twingo is good fun to drive and proof that Renault can make a car fun when they want. The steering could use a little more feel, but it is entertaining and it copes with poor roads quite well.
Space and comfort: ***
The fact that the Twingo only comes as a three-door puts it at a disadvantage compared to some of its rivals, but room for four isn't bad, with quite a high seating position.
Safety and security: ****
Four stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests is pretty good for a car of this size.
Twingo comes with four airbags, ABS with EBD and an immobiliser as standard fit.
Running costs and depreciation: ****
Cheap to buy and economical to run, the Twingo won't be too taxing on the pocket with the one we like, the 75bhp 1.2-litre, a Band B car returning 5.7 l/100km.
THE CONCLUSIONS:
For: great handling, good space, fun to drive
Against: not as practical as some rivals
Irish Times verdict: one of the most fun cars in this segment
Best buy:Dynamique 1.2 16v 75bhp