Have an Agila
16/07/08 18:42 Filed in: Road
tests
Whereas the previous Vauxhall Agila was instantly forgettable, the
new one at least has some presence. It has a cheeky style and,
inside, some fairly loud seat graphics.
Badged as a Vauxhall it is, in fact, very closely related to the Suzuki Splash. It's the result of the sort of deal that car manufacturers have been doing for years and all the more so now, given the huge costs of vehicle development.
You can see why it makes sense. Vauxhall get a well-developed small car to bring in new customers, without having to commit to the huge development costs. Suzuki get guaranteed extra sales to increase their volume.
I rather liked the Vauxhall Agila. The test car had the 1.2-litre engine and, as you would expect, it doesn't have a lot of extra power to offer.
With three adults on board, we all chuckled as the little Agila gradually increased speed on a steep incline – even with my foot making what must have been a huge dent in the pile of the carpet. Once on the flat, things perked up and the Agila proved willing, if not rapid. (Remember this was the 1.2-litre test car and that there is also a one-litre three cylinder Agila.)
I've actually always had a fondness for small engined cars since my impecunious days of running the smallest, most economical car as a student. Small cars encourage you to make the most of what momentum you can achieve, keeping braking and harsh manoeuvring to a minimum.
If you do that – and overcome the urge to plant your size nines on the loud pedal too hard - you will be rewarded with good mpg. Upper 40s or even 50s are the sorts of figures you should get. CO2 of 131g/km won't get you the free tax disk, but it will certainly minimise its cost. Acceleration 0-62 mph is 12.3 seconds.
The Agila Scores well on accommodation. It is a small car and so you will occasionally bump elbows with your passenger - that is inevitable, but the space is good. My rear-seat passengers did not complain with my long-legged driving position putting the seat almost at its furthest back position. Getting in and out, with the benefit of four doors, was also easy.
Yes, the boot is small, but there is enough space in there to take a decent overnight bag and a few odds and ends.
The price of the Vauxhall Agila starts at £7,595, with my test car – the Agila Design 1.2 16v – coming in at £9,810. Given that it also drives rather well, the Agila is definitely worth adding to your short list when looking for a budget price small car.
Badged as a Vauxhall it is, in fact, very closely related to the Suzuki Splash. It's the result of the sort of deal that car manufacturers have been doing for years and all the more so now, given the huge costs of vehicle development.
You can see why it makes sense. Vauxhall get a well-developed small car to bring in new customers, without having to commit to the huge development costs. Suzuki get guaranteed extra sales to increase their volume.
I rather liked the Vauxhall Agila. The test car had the 1.2-litre engine and, as you would expect, it doesn't have a lot of extra power to offer.
With three adults on board, we all chuckled as the little Agila gradually increased speed on a steep incline – even with my foot making what must have been a huge dent in the pile of the carpet. Once on the flat, things perked up and the Agila proved willing, if not rapid. (Remember this was the 1.2-litre test car and that there is also a one-litre three cylinder Agila.)
I've actually always had a fondness for small engined cars since my impecunious days of running the smallest, most economical car as a student. Small cars encourage you to make the most of what momentum you can achieve, keeping braking and harsh manoeuvring to a minimum.
If you do that – and overcome the urge to plant your size nines on the loud pedal too hard - you will be rewarded with good mpg. Upper 40s or even 50s are the sorts of figures you should get. CO2 of 131g/km won't get you the free tax disk, but it will certainly minimise its cost. Acceleration 0-62 mph is 12.3 seconds.
The Agila Scores well on accommodation. It is a small car and so you will occasionally bump elbows with your passenger - that is inevitable, but the space is good. My rear-seat passengers did not complain with my long-legged driving position putting the seat almost at its furthest back position. Getting in and out, with the benefit of four doors, was also easy.
Yes, the boot is small, but there is enough space in there to take a decent overnight bag and a few odds and ends.
The price of the Vauxhall Agila starts at £7,595, with my test car – the Agila Design 1.2 16v – coming in at £9,810. Given that it also drives rather well, the Agila is definitely worth adding to your short list when looking for a budget price small car.