Citroen C1

Being one of a set of triplets is going to be tough, but when you're all virtually identical it's going to be even more difficult. Sharing its production facility and the majority of its components with the Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 107 the C1 offer their same diminutive packaging, with little different but the badges. Where the Citroen was always expected to excel over its close relatives is in its pricing, Citroen's typically aggressive customer focussed stance seeing it undercut the Toyota and Peugeot duo by several hundred pounds. That might not sound too much, but when you consider that these cars all cost in the region of £6,000, then it makes up a sizable chunk of the overall price. Aiming to steal sales from the mega-successful Ford Ka in the UK, and other not so well-known rivals like Kia's Picanto, Chevrolet Matiz and the Renault Twingo in Europe, the C1 offers a very attractive package to those after inexpensive transport. Unlike most of its direct competition it's available with three or five-doors, and there's enough space inside for even adults to consider sitting in the back, too. Indeed, the C1 manages to squeeze and enormous amount of space into its compact proportions. Boot space suffers as a result, but the rear seats can be folded for those times when you need more carrying capacity. The seats are comfortable and the trim and materials shame Citroen's other small car offerings for build quality, looks and feel. It's similarly impressive on the road, where its tiny 1.0-litre three-cylinder gives it adequate if unspectacular performance, though it makes up for its ultimate lack of urgency with a characterful engine note. It's enjoyable to drive too, with quick, light steering and a slick five-speed manual gearbox. A 1.4-litre turbodiesel will join it later in the year. It should offer even greater economy and no doubt a slightly less frenetic drive. Whether that's a good or bad thing remains to be seen. The ride is soft, allowing it to soak up the bumps, but meaning lean is fairly pronounced through the bends, however the C1 isn't a car that you're ever likely to be pushing too hard. Instead it offers good equipment, decent refinement and space for very little money. It's so good indeed, that it almost makes the C2 redundant, and easily betters it for interior quality. With the reassurance of Toyota's involvement in the engineering and manufacturing, too, the C1 looks very tempting compared to its rivals, and not just because of its pricing. + Fun to drive, willing engine, decent space, good build/materials - Body roll, tiny boot

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