CITROEN C1 HATCHBACK 1.0I VT 3DR

"Citroen's effort can cope with a large part of what everyday life will throw at it"

CITROEN C1 HATCHBACK 1.0I VT 3DR

Encouragingly, the C1 that pulled up outside the office was a VTR+ model. That doesn't mean it has the seven seats or an extra 300 litres of boot capacity that we really wanted but it is the range-topping model, so a fair-few modern conveniences were thrown in. Like most city cars, the C1 can get pretty basic in its entry-level guise in an effort to control costs but the VTR+ lets is hair down a little with split-folding rear seats, a rev counter, ISOFIX child seat anchor points and, remarkably, part leather trim. Our car even has air-conditioning which is a cost option on the C1.

Further VTR+ features were in evidence outside where the car had quite a sporty look to it. Body coloured mirrors and door handles help keep up appearances, as does the black grille with chrome highlights that doesn't feature on lesser C1 models. The wheel trims aside, this particular C1 could easily attract younger buyers who may have their eye on a mildly sporting supermini but find the purchase and running costs prohibitive. Other standard kit on the C1 includes front electric windows, a CD stereo and remote central locking.

CITROEN C1 HATCHBACK 1.0I VT 3DR

Not immediately feeling like some bargain basement city runabout was a big point in the C1's favour but surely its three-cylinder 68bhp petrol engine would struggle with anything more testing than a jaunt up the high street? We were in for a surprise again because the C1 is actually quite brisk on the open road. The secret doesn't lie with its 68bhp engine but in the lightness of the car itself. There are plenty of small cars that will struggle to keep up with its 13.7s sprint to 60mph and the best bit is that progress is accompanied by an engine note made quite purposeful by the three-cylinder layout. There's a lot to like about the way the C1 rides well and handles with an easy simplicity. It's obviously best suited to town work but we've had it on winding country lanes and on the motorway and it's rarely overawed.

The C1 is a small car, so there's a limit to how much interior space its designers could liberate from the cabin. It also lacks the clever space saving solutions that are found on modern city cars, favouring a more straightforward approach. All that said, there's space for four inside without too much discomfort for the rear seat passengers. The boot is small but because we've rarely had more than two people in the car, we've tended to keep the rear seatbacks folded down to give extra luggage capacity. The design of the cabin is uncomplicated but there are some nice features and the quality of the build seems robust enough. Storage space is also good for a car of this size and you should have no problem trying to store the odds and ends you carry around with you.

Where the C1 scores an almost unbeatable mark is in the field of cost of ownership. The nippy 1.0i 68hp petrol engine emits less CO2 than any other petrol powerplant currently on sale in the UK, boasting lowered CO2 emissions of just 106g/km and a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 62.8mpg. At 22.0 pence per mile over a typical three-year ownership period, a C1 1.0 is one of the least expensive cars it's possible to run. Diesel citycars will beat it on economy but they will be considerably more expensive to buy.

The Citroen C1 has its limitations. It's not particularly sophisticated by modern citycar standards and it doesn't have the big-car feel that will help some buyers come to terms with owning a smaller model. What you do get is good performance and economy that's largely thanks to the simple lightweight design. You also get decent cabin space that can take four and, in the VTR+ model we tried, a pleasantly upmarket look. Big shopping trips, moving house and family holidays are obviously a problem but for a city car, Citroen's effort can cope with a large part of what everyday life will throw at it.

CITROEN C1 HATCHBACK 1.0I VT 3DR

Facts At A Glance

CAR: Citroen C1

PRICES: £8,495-£10,645 - on the road

INSURANCE GROUPS: 1

CO2 EMISSIONS: 106g/km

PERFORMANCE: Top Speed 93mph / 0-60mph 13.7s

FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 62.8mpg

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS with EBD

WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/width/height 3435/1630/1465mm