ŠKODA Citigo Elegance 1.0 MPI GreenTech

The all-new ŠKODA Citigo marks the start of a new era in the Czech based motor manufacturer’s 117-year history.

The company, a subsidiary of Volkswagen and positioned as the entry brand to the group, is very proud of the Citigo because it’s ŠKODA’s first ever city car and is set to expand the brand’s value-for-money appeal to a new type of customer.

The newcomer is aimed at younger drivers, families who need a second car and older motorists with an active lifestyle. As a parent of two small children, I can vouch for the ‘young family’ market. I found it great for whizzing from home to the shops and, being big enough to fit my kids in the back, it’s an ideal school-run vehicle.

My wife, who’s a lot smaller than me, enjoyed driving the ŠKODA far more than I did; the driving position was just too compact for my stocky frame. So how on earth the tiny car’s boot swallowed a family of four’s weekly shop as well as a toddler’s buggy I’ll never know.

What really sells this car is its outstanding around-town manoeuvrability. It also sets high standards in environmental considerations and technical sophistication.

The Citigo can reach 100 mph, albeit not very quickly. Its 0-62 mph time is a very slow 14.4 seconds and this makes it feel sluggish on motorways stretches.

However, the GreenTech fuel-saving technologies mean that the tiny hatchback sips, rather than swigs petrol and can return up to 68.9 mpg.

Prices for the Citigo line-up begin at just £7,630 for the entry level ‘S’ trim three-door model, with five-door cars only another £350.

[row]
[column lg=”12″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]

PROS ‘N’ CONS

√ Ideal school-run car
√ Spacious boot
√ Robust interior
√ Economical
X Compact driving position
[/column]
[/row]

By Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Journalist
Website www.carwriteups.co.uk
Twitter @carwriteups