Car Statistics: Proton - Satria Neo Series 07 (2 stars)

Styling (3 stars)

It's quite an attractive car; the low roofline gives it a sleek and squat stance, while its flared wheel arches and wide track make it look quite sporty.

Handling (3 stars)

'Handling by Lotus' doesn't mean that it will corner like an Elise, but thanks to stiff suspension and low-to-the-floor chassis, it does make for a fun drive, although the ride has been compromised.

Comfort (1 star)

The cabin lets in a lot of wind and road noise, which makes it a very poor motorway companion. The engine is loud and coarse, causing a constant drone at higher speeds. The front sport-style seats grip you well, but are too hard to be comfortable on a long journey.

Quality (1 star)

Thin doors, cheap plasticky trim, and controls straight from a 1980?s Mitsubishi. The build quality is poor too ? at motorway speeds creaks and rattles appear from every part of the cabin. The keys are also enormous, while remote locking buttons are so small that it's difficult to avoid pressing both lock and unlock at the same time.

Performance (3 stars)

The best performance comes from the 1.6 GSX, which has plenty of mid-range pull, and substantial power for the engine size. The quoted fuel consumption is 42.8mpg but we weren't convinced; the last quarter of a tank drops down so quickly, there's a major risk of running empty if you aren't near a petrol station.

Roominess (1 star)

Anyone over 5'8 will find this one of the most uncomfortable driving positions due to the limited seat height adjustment and low roofline. This makes for little headroom and the same is true for rear-seat passengers.

Costs (2 stars)

Fuel economy isn't bad for the 1.6, but the 1.3 is poor at less than 40mpg. The price of the Satria is similar to its competitors, so it's hardly a budget car. Plus, it doesn't have much desirability so residuals won't be great. Insurance groups are 6 and 7, which is about average.

Value (2 stars)

You do get a fair bit of equipment as standard. But quality is so lacking - particularly for this price - there are definitely better cars in this price range.

Stereo (2 stars)

The stereo is a competent piece of equipment and the MP3 compatible CD player is a good feature. The radio reception isn't great though; even in the centre of a town it can struggle to pick up main BBC radio stations.