Skoda Citigo Elegance 1.0 MPI GreenTech

The Skoda Citigo proves that budget cars don’t have to feel or look cheap. Cabin quality and comfort are first-rate, while the big car refinement and composed handling make it a joy to drive. Our GreenTech model trails the Mirage on performance, although it’s cleaner and will cost you less to run.

The brilliant Skoda Citigo has redefined what’s possible for affordable small cars. By combining big car refinement, intelligent packaging and superb quality with value pricing and an enjoyable driving experience, it has set new standards – and the Citigo is our reigning Car of the Year. Add Skoda’s well earned reputation for customer care to the mix, and it’s easy to see why the Citigo will be a stern test for the Mitsubishi.

The modern, well proportioned, smart yet simple styling ensures the Skoda makes a strong first impression, but it’s once you get inside that it seals the deal, as quality is in a different league to the Mirage.

It exceeds what you expect from a city car, with top-notch audio and climate buttons that wouldn’t look out of place in a VW Golf, plus tactile switchgear, clear dials and a modern dash. In fact, only the pop-out rear windows betray the Skoda’s bargain basement roots.

Our Elegance model comes with luxuries like heated seats, as well as the superb portable infotainment screen, which comprises sat-nav, a trip computer and Bluetooth connectivity.

The steering wheel only adjusts for height, but there’s a greater range of movement than in the Mirage, plus more supportive seats, so comfort is excellent.

And while the Citigo has the shortest wheelbase here, and is a strict four-seater, clever packaging means rear legroom is on par with rivals. A deep 251-litre boot further boosts this city car’s practical appeal.

The Skoda feels mechanically superior to the Mitsubishi, too. The VW Group three-cylinder is much smoother than the Mirage’s engine, and offers crisper throttle response.

The 1.0-litre has less torque than the Mirage’s 1.2-litre, at 95Nm, so at the track the Citigo was the slowest car here. But in the real world, the engine always feels eager, while the car’s superb refinement more than makes up for the performance deficit to the Suzuki.

In corners, the Skoda always inspires confidence with its sheer composure. The steering is well weighted and direct, while the suspension strikes a near-perfect balance between strong body control and composed ride comfort. It’s not quite as sporty to drive as the Swift, but it feels far more assured on the road than the Mirage, with loads of grip and plenty of feel through all the controls.

But arguably the Citigo’s biggest selling point is its big car refinement. It’s so quiet on the motorway that sometimes you have to get out of the car and have a look at it to remind yourself just how small it is.

All this makes the micro car running costs even sweeter. Our Citigo GreenTech is the cleanest model in this test, with its 98g/km CO2 emissions bringing exemption from road tax, plus we averaged nearly 50mpg economy. Add fixed-price servicing and the best residuals here, and it’s easy to see why this superb little car is so great to own.