Skoda Citigo: First Drive

Not so much
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The Skoda Citigo has a lot going for it. It runs on the smell of an oily rag, presents an aesthetically pleasing posterior and how about that catchy name? But the best part is that it's an involving, even charming car to drive. But its biggest hurdle -- if and when it arrives in Australia -- will be its badge.

Sure, it shows off a stylish new take on the Skoda crest, and it's arguably the most inoffensive Czech car design to date, plus it's the brand's first ever budget priced sub-compact car. However Australian drivers are still warming to the brand as it strives to rebuild its image locally.

But Citigo is a car with the potential to change that. This compact car attracts a lot of attention, making a strong first impression with a simple but effective approach.

The first thing that grabbed us about the car was its ergonomic cabin. In typical VW Group style everything's well laid out, and it's roomy too. The driver and front passenger are afforded plenty of head room, electric windows and mirrors, and lots of leg space. Shoulder room isn't overly generous -- bear in mind the car measures just 1.65 metres wide – yet Skoda claims it’s best in class. 

The front seats are comfortable, and though rear legroom is tight, head room up back is ample. Generally, Citigo feels much bigger than a 3650mm-long car should. The boot also boasts best-in-class space at 251 litres, expanding to 959 litres with the rear bench folded down.

Safety features haven't been forgotten, with electronic stability control, four airbags and antilock brakes fitted as standard, helping towards the car’s five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. There's even an optional laser-aided emergency braking system available.

Skoda has succeeded in creating a car city dwellers will appreciate and it's the little touches that make the difference. For example the parking ticket clip near the windscreen, an extending take-away or handbag hook on the glovebox latch, and an iPhone slot underneath the stereo.

There's even a picture holder for a loved one or pet. Our car had a picture of, well, our car...

Though there's no steering wheel controls to speak of, the stereo, cruise control and headlights took about three seconds to figure out. Indeed, driving the Skoda Citigo is not difficult, its compact dimensions and good outward visibility making it easy to manoeuvre around town.

Part of the launch drive route had us driving through narrow, maze-like streets in a small Portuguese village, where the car moved easily. Many of these older roads were paved cobblestones and this put the Citigo's suspension to the test -- a test it passed with ease. The car displayed impressive ride quality, ably soaking up the uneven surface. Even at higher speeds the pint-sized Skoda cruised over pot holes and ructions with little interruption, delivering the kind of ride comfort not usually associated with a car of this size.

While the Citigo excelled in the tight confines of the city and its labyrinthine-like villages, it also proved to be a shrewd operator on the freeway, happily cruising at 140km/h thanks to a very long fifth gear. Top speed is rated at 171km/h.

The five-speed manual was the only transmission type at the time of writing but it's an effective unit that's easy to work with, thanks to a light clutch and shift action. An ASG single clutch 'automatised' gearbox, also with five-speeds, is undergoing testing and will be rolled out in Europe in the second half of 2012.

Mechanically speaking, the Skoda Citigo is identical to the Volkswagen up! and Seat Mii, both in terms of its powertrain and chassis. That is, a 1.0-litre (999cc) front-mounted engine, front-wheel drive setup riding on independent front (MacPherson struts) and fixed rear (torsion beam axle) suspension.

As mentioned the ride quality is remarkably pliant, but the Skoda Citigo also shows a clean pair of heels when navigating corners. It cuts a neat line through a bend thanks to a short footprint (2420mm wheelbase) and with only mild levels of body roll you can have a lot of fun should the road begin to snake.

Tipping the scales at 854kg (dry), one of the Citigo's most endearing ingredients is its three-cylinder petrol engine, an engine is that more refined than that of its Suzuki Alto rival. Available in two states of tune -- 44kW or 55kW -- Citigo won't be challenging any land speed records, but does engage the driver, both with its eagerness to rev and unique acoustics.

Winding out gears on the smallest Skoda was satisfying; it produces a more throaty exhaust note than your average four-cylinder donk. Both the engines output 95Nm at 3000rpm and on the flats the engine is tractable, but we did note the 44kW version struggled on steep hills, needing several downchanges to maintain momentum.

What Skoda has achieved with the Citigo is remarkable. It's fun to drive yet has a compliant ride. It doesn't feel too cramped inside and uses less fuel than many motorcycles, just 4.5L/100km! It's almost as green as a Toyota Prius with CO2 emissions of 105g/km, and can be optioned with parking sensors, a panoramic sunroof, satnav and even a sports pack with black or white alloy wheels, body stripes and stiffer suspension.

If Skoda can bring the Citigo to Australia in 2013 at a price of around $14,000 -- and we expect it will -- the affable city car would certainly improve the company's standing Down Under. The Skoda Citigo is difficult to flaw -- it's as simple as that.

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