Car Statistics: Vauxhall - Agila Series 08 (3 stars)

Styling (3 stars)

Gone is the old telephone- box look, replaced by a curvier body and chunky front-end. It looks funky compared to the old one, average compared to everything else.

Handling (3 stars)

Again, a huge improvement on the old car, the Agila now feels reasonably fun and agile on twistier roads. There's not too much body roll - considering its height - and it feels comfortable at motorway speeds.

Comfort (3 stars)

Not the most comfortable of interiors as most of it is made of hard plastics. However, there's a reasonable amount of adjustment in the front to get the best position out of the seats, and not a huge amount road and wind noise either.

Quality (2 stars)

This is what lets the Agila down, as it just doesn't feel up to the quality of Vauxhall's other products. The plastics look cheap whilst even the seats feel hard too. The build quality isn't great and it would be likely to develop creaks and rattles over time. Reliability shouldn't be an issue however.

Performance (3 stars)

The 1.2i 16v is the best of a decent bunch. It will manage 0-62mph is 12.3 seconds, and feels eager and nippy around town. It will hold its own on a motorway too.

Roominess (4 stars)

One of the key features of the Agila is the amount of interior space. A high roofline benefits those who are taller than average, and in the rear there is room enough for adults - although probably not for a long journey. The boot is average for a city-car, but some trim levels come with split-folding rear seats if more load space is needed.

Costs (5 stars)

All the engines offer decent fuel economy, with the 1.2i 16v offering the lowest - 47.9mpg. The diesel claims around 62.8mpg on the combined cycle and with CO2 emissions of 120g/km costs just £35 a year in tax.

Value (2 stars)

Not wonderful value, as although the Agila is reasonably well equipped, it does cost considerably more than some of its rivals. Choosing the diesel pushes the price up even more, and it doesn't quite warrant the extra premium.

Stereo (2 stars)

The stereo/CD player is basic and the four speakers sound a little tinny, but it is functional. Steering wheel mounted audio controls come as standard on the Club and Design models. Sat nav is not available as an option.