Skoda Citigo SE road test

Skoda’s Citigo SE is a strong contender in the crowded small car market.

It’s a compact car that’s economical and cheap to run, yet it also manages to be comfortable and practical. That’s no mean feat and something that many competitors will no doubt be jealous of.

Under its snub-nosed bonnet lies a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that outputs 59bhp. Despite the modest-sounding power figure the Skoda can accelerate from 0-62mph in 14.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 99mph.

That’s slower than rivals like the Fiat Panda but it’s enough to keep up with traffic without struggling. A higher-powered 73bhp version is available for those who need a little more go from their Citigo, for example if you are regularly stopping then accelerating to 60mph around the city limits.

Claimed economy is 62.8mpg for the 59bhp version, which will help keep fuel bills down. CO2 emissions are rated at 105g/km of CO2, meaning yearly road tax of £20 and free showroom tax.

If you want to benefit from free road tax, or need congestion charging exemption, then you’ll have to go for one of the GreenTech models. You’ll pay a modest premium of £360 but if you are using the congestion charging zone regularly it won’t take long to recoup that additional cost.

Potential buyers won’t pay much for insurance, with the 1.0-litre SE falling into group 1. That means it could be ideal for younger drivers or those who don’t want to pay for expensive cover.

Even though the Citigo is a small car, it isn't impractical. There’s lots of room inside - despite the diminutive looks - and four adults can be seated in relative comfort. The boot offers a useful 251 litres of luggage space, or 951 litres with the rear seats down, and there are plenty of storage points dotted around the cabin.

With a list price of £8,530 the Citigo represents very good value for money. Just because it’s cheap, however, doesn’t mean that there have been compromises elsewhere. The car’s interior is well-built and neatly detailed, while the materials and trim used feels hard wearing and durable.

It’s a pleasant place to be, even on longer trips on the motorway, and it feels like a more expensive and larger car inside. This feeling is bolstered by relatively low wind and road noise levels, meaning you don’t have to raise your voice to speak to your passenger at speed.

The equipment list makes for impressive reading too, with the SE model coming with features like air-con, electric front windows, remote central locking, folding rear seats, electronic stability control, daytime running lights, power steering, a CD player with an auxiliary connection for MP3 players and multiple airbags.

Buyers can further customise their car with options including Skoda’s portable sat-nav and trip computer system, alloy wheels, 'sports' decal kits, metallic paint and a variety of option packs that add features such as rear parking sensors and cruise control.

The Skoda also has another positive attribute, in that it’s a good car to drive. The steering is well weighted, the ride well controlled and the power delivery smooth. To build up speed quickly you do have to work the engine hard but the gearbox is precise and the engine never feels overly stressed.

In fact the only notable issue is that during hard acceleration, or at low speeds around town, there is some intrusive noise from the engine and gearbox.

Overall the Citigo is a great choice for those who want a competent small car. Its appeal is bolstered further by its engaging character and low running costs, as well as the fact that you can realistically use it for longer journeys.

If you are regularly going to be using the car on the motorway or do lots of cross-country driving, it's probably best to pick the 73bhp version over the lower-powered version. It'll be that little bit more flexible, capable and relaxing to drive. If you're only driving around town though, with the odd trip further afield, the 59bhp model is perfectly adequate.

Skoda’s Citigo SE 1.0 MPI 60PS three-door is available to order now for £8,530. Five-door and automatic versions are also available.

To read the full Parkers Skoda Citigo review click here.

Also consider:

Kia Picanto

The Picanto is excellent value for money, cheap to run and good to drive. It also comes with a seven-year warranty, protecting you from any unexpected bills.

Volkswagen up!

Based on the same platform as the Skoda Citigo and the SEAT Mii, Volkswagen’s up! is the more premium product. It’s more costly but you may find the interior more appealing.

Fiat Panda

Regarded as one of the best small cars available, Fiat’s Panda benefits from a range of good engines and low running costs.