Volkswagen Up!

I HAVE to admit I was not expecting to like this week’s test car.

At 6ft tall and 14 stone – and being used to a Jag as my daily driver – the thought of a week squeezing into a tiny ‘city car’ seemed a less than exciting prospect.

However, I need not have worried as my 1.0-litre VW up! proved to be a real hoot.

It is one of smallest four-seaters you can buy at only 3.5 metres long and 1.6m wide and the three-cylinder petrol engine has just 60bhp (0-62 in 14.4 seconds) – but what the car lacks in size and power it makes up for in charm and practicality.

First up getting in and out is no problem, even in the back, as the little four door car is a full four- seater. Secondly, I was expecting it to struggle on the motorway, but far from it. Added to that the handling was great, build quality excellent (as you expect from VW) and level of equipment surprisingly good.

With its smiley front end and diminutive proportions, it is one of those cars that inspires a feel good factor – especially as you are doing your bit to ‘save the planet’ with over 78mpg possible on a run and CO2 emissions at a lowly 95.

Added to that fuelsipping ability are low insurance costs, zero road tax and on the road prices from £8,635.

Our test car, came in at £10,235 on the road as it boasted a number of extras including the ‘Maps & More’ touchscreen navigation and infotainment device.

And if you really want to save the environment there is now an E-up! – VW’s first fully-electric vehicle, although it is a hefty hike in price to £19,270 to go green.