Skoda Citigo
OUR PICK 1.0 SE 60 5dr (2014/14, 62k miles, £3,899)
FUN, frugal and surprisingly family-friendly, the Skoda Citigo has it all. It’s our reigning used city car champion, and the Czech machine wins again – arguably making even more sense as a second-hand buy than it did when new.
Don’t be fooled by its dinky dimensions, because inside there’s more than enough space for four people, while the 250-litre boot rivals models from the class above for size. Plus there’s a decent level of standard kit, with SE models and above getting all the essentials, including air-con, electric windows and Bluetooth connectivity. Go for a post2017 facelift model and you’ll get a handy smartphone dock that allows you to access all your apps on the move, a larger screen for the audio system, plus the low-speed collision warning system that brings extra peace of mind.
Despite all this, it’s the little Skoda’s grown-up driving dynamics that really stand out, with agile handling, a composed ride, and long-distance refinement that would shame many larger cars. Under the bonnet there’s a smooth and peppy 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, with either 59bhp or 74bhp (there’s also an electric option), that will happily return 50mpg all day long and is linked to a slick five-speed manual gearbox. There is also an ASG automated manual version, but this clunky transmission isn’t great.
Better still, the Citigo is now approaching its 10th birthday, which means there are loads to choose from, with prices starting at just £2,000. On top of that, the number of examples you can find on sale with more than 100,000 miles on the clock is proof of how durable and dependable the little Skoda is. Yet with a budget of £4,000 you can bag a cared-for six-year-old SE that has covered fewer than 70,000 miles and has a full history.
If you’re after a small car bargain that’s enjoyable to drive, hassle-free to own, and costs peanuts to run, then look no further than the brilliant Citigo.