Skoda's Citigo is a little car that makes a big impression with motoring editor Andy Russell – an appealing package that puts your motoring needs into perspective.

Eastern Daily Press: Skoda Citigo is available with three and five doors and is surprisingly spacious inside. Picture: SkodaSkoda Citigo is available with three and five doors and is surprisingly spacious inside. Picture: Skoda (Image: Skoda)

Road test: Skoda Citigo

Eastern Daily Press: Skoda Citigo fascia and controls have an endearing simplicity. Picture: SkodaSkoda Citigo fascia and controls have an endearing simplicity. Picture: Skoda (Image: Skoda)

It is said all the best things come in threes and, when it comes to city cars, it's also three of a kind for the Volkswagen Group's trio – VW up!, SEAT Mii and Skoda Citigo.

Styling and spec enhancements aside, they are one and the same – here we are driving Skoda's Citigo which has also been given a fresh-faced, mild makeover.

Looks and image

Eastern Daily Press: Skoda Citigo's ear legroom is enough for six-footers in those in front aren't greedy. Picture: SkodaSkoda Citigo's ear legroom is enough for six-footers in those in front aren't greedy. Picture: Skoda (Image: Skoda)

There wasn't a lot wrong with the Citigo so I'm glad Skoda hasn't make changes for the sake of it.

The revised front features a new bonnet with powerdome, modified bumper, revamped fog lights, redesigned grille and upgraded lights with headlights getting LED daytime running lights from SE and optional cornering function for the fog lights.

Dark-tinted tail lights are fitted from SE, Style and Ambition offer a white or black roof and wing mirrors options with certain colours and there are new alloy wheels.

Eastern Daily Press: Skoda Citigo boot has a lot of exposed painted metal which could get damaged when loading. Picture: SkodaSkoda Citigo boot has a lot of exposed painted metal which could get damaged when loading. Picture: Skoda (Image: Skoda)

Under the bonnet

The Citigo still gets only 60 and 75PS 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engines – VW's up! gains a 90PS turbo version. Unless you regularly do long journeys – which the Citigo is capable of – the 60PS version has enough get up and go and returns around 55mpg.

Flexible and free-revving, it picks up cleanly from low revs, gets a move-on in the mid-range and is not strained or thrashy when worked, crusing comfortably at 70mph at around 3,000rpm. You need to use the five-speed manual gearbox to maintain momentum on long inclines, not an issue with a light shift and clutch action.

How it drives

What impresses me about this city car trio is how grown up they are, given their dinky dimensions, and so easy to drive.

Ride quality is exceptional for a small car, composed with the wheels pushed out to the corners and supple, soft suspension soaking up bumps and lumps better than many larger models.

It also boasts neat and tidy handling, with little body roll, so you can scoot along on twisty roads with confidence.

Space and comfort

It seats only four but is a genuine four-seater for adults with good headroom and adequate legroom in the back for six-footers, if those up front don't ram their seats back, with recessed front seat backs freeing up kneeroom.

The one-piece front-seat backs, with integrated head restraints, are shapely and comfortable and the rear bench supportive.

The deep 251-litre boot means a high sill to life load over, rising to 959 litres in the five-door model with the 60/40 split rear seat backs, on SE and above, folded flat but there is a step up from the boot floor. Minimal carpeting and lots of exposed painted metal will need care to avoid it getting scarred by loads.

A decent glovebox, four doorbins, cupholder and cubbyholes take care of cabin storage.

At the wheel

The steering wheel only tilts up and down but SE onwards gets driver's seat height adjustment.

The cabin plastics are dark, hard but nicely textured and it could look sombre without brightwork highlights on the fascia and body-colour tops to the doors.

The Citigo is easy to drive, helped by a big central speedo, flanked by smaller rev counter and fuel gauge, and user-friendly switches and heating and ventilation controls. The simplicity, with no driving information display or buttons on the steering wheel, is quite endearing.

Equipment

Colour Edition, based on SE, adds black or white 15in alloy wheels, metallic paint, tinted rear glass and front fog lights to the standard spec which includes electric front windows, remote locking, air-conditioning, radio with Bluetooth, SD card slot, USB port, six speakers and a smartphone holder for app-based navigation and other functions.

It's really all you need – I can live without automatic headlights and wipers and one-shot electric windows.

Final say

Skoda's Citigo is one of those cars that puts into perspective what you need for enjoyable, everyday motoring and I'll miss this cheerful, little character.

SPEC AND TECH

Price: Skoda Citigo Colour Edition 1.0 MPI 60PS five-door £10,850 (range £8,635 to £11,520)

Engine: 999cc, three-cylinder petrol mated to five-speed manual gearbox

Performance: 0-62mph 14.4 seconds; top speed 100mph

MPG: Urban 51.4; extra urban 74.3; combined 64.2

CO2 emissions: 101g/km

Benefit-in-kind tax rate: 19%

Insurance group: 2 (out of 50)

Warranty: Three years or 60,000 miles

Will it fit in the garage? L 3,597mm; W (including door mirrors) 1,914mm; H 1,478mm