Agile Agila perfect for the city

Jan 26 2009 Peter Hayward

THE latest Agila from Vauxhall shares its body and engines with a Suzuki - the Splash - but so did the previous model.

It was built in the same Polish factory as the Wagon R and is basically the Suzuki with Vauxhall engines.

Most Vauxhalls and Fords are now sadly built outside Britain and Sunderland-built Nissans have way more British content.

The Agila is much bigger than it first appears, with plenty of room for four adults and excellent headroom for the tall.

It's available with 1.0 and 1.2-litre engines, each with a five speed gearbox, and both are good value secondhand.

Although it's a city car, it's much bigger and more practical than others like the VW Lupo and the Ford Ka, making it more useful all round.

The 1.0-litre engine is only just man enough, taking 17 seconds to reach 60, but the 1.2 is perky and nippy and gives little away in economy.

Comfort is good, refinement fair and road holding very safe.

Interior

These have an airy cabin which is a great plus. There is good all round vision and the higher driving position also helps getting in and out.

There is loads of head and legroom and the rear seats fold down in a 50/50 pattern to make a flat load area.

FAST FACTS

VAuxhall Agila 1.2

Price : Pay about £1,800 for an '02 02-reg Club, £3,300 for an '04 04-reg Design or £4,400 for an '06 06-reg

Mechanical : 73bhp, 1,199cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox

Max speed : 96mph

0-62mph : 12.5 secs

Combined mpg : 43

Insurance group : 3

Marks : 9/10

Main rival : Suzuki Wagon R