DervMan’s Pick: Superminis

T

he Supermini sector is one of the most important, since it is the most popular with private buyers. The supermini is liked because of its cheaper purchase price, lower insurance and fuel consumption, and the ease at which it can be driven. These days, you will struggle to find a supermini that doesn’t come with power steering, for example, and all bar the base models of most ranges come with central locking and electric windows.

Most painless to own

It has to be the Nissan Micra. The Micra comes with a choice of three good little engines, and for most people the 1·0 litre is sufficient - even if the more powerful 1·3 and 1·4 litre units are better for motorway work. Interior space and design is adequate, but beware that earlier cars lacked equipment. Nissans are also very reliable, even if they don’t drive as well as the best. In second place, I’d commend the Toyota Yaris.

Most Useable Space

My vote goes for the Fiat Punto, simply because the interior is huge. The car is quite broad too (I guess the Italians design for big bottomed people) - you can get a lot in a Punto with the seats down. The Punto is also entertaining to drive - it’s a Fiat - even if ultimately not the best. My reservations are with the dealerships, which have tended to be unfriendly and expensive, and there are reports of a few niggling problems with the Punto. My runner up in this category include the latest Vauxhall Corsa.

Most Entertaining

This has to be the Mk. 4 (or later) Ford Fiesta, especially with the 1·4 or later 1·6 litre Zetec-SE engine. The Seat Ibiza gets the runner up prize, but note that the cooking model engines are gutless.

Cheapest to run

The cheapest superminis to run, excluding depreciation, are the Renault Clio dTi and Skoda Fabia SDI. If you don’t want to fork out this much cash, the Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 is also very cheap to run too.