I can only now fully appreciate the sheer space provided by Kia’s new mini MPV, the Venga, after watching it being driven away and me getting into our next test car (it’s a tough life). Lovely though the new one is, it felt rather dark and claustrophobic inside in comparison to the high ceiling of the Kia with its amazing panoramic roof and enough head room for a gorilla – or indeed my husband!

Watching Doctor Who with the kids, I saw the similarities to his faithful Tardis. Rather innocent but intriguing on the outside, and surprisingly spacious on the inside with delightful nooks and crannies, sliding seats, hidden compartments and space, space, space! Has the Tardis got sliding seats? Oh well…

It’s not a luxurious car like its also-recently-launched big brother the Sorento (video review coming soon), but has many redeeming features. One of the models (the diesel, the one on test here) proudly displays the Ecodynamics badge which it has earned through its low fuel consumption (over 62 mpg on a combine cycle) with CO2 emissions of only 117g/km. This model doesn’t come cheap however, but the gains over the course of its life would soon add up. This, together with the seven year warranty offered by Kia do make it a very attractive proposition.

But what I might be inclined to do is to wait a bit until a few second hand ones come on the market, so that I could take advantage of Kia’s used car programme. This tops the depleted warranty back up to seven years if the car is less that 18 months old or with less that 18,000 miles on the clock. Then a Kia Venga would really be excellent value. Or you could take the view that this makes buying a new one less of a risk because you wouldn’t have much trouble selling it after 18,000 miles?

Either way Kia seem hell-bent on taking the worry out of buying a new car, and with products coming along so much better than their predecessors they’re starting to appeal to our hearts as well.

The Look

If like me you remember the Golf the first time round there will be no surprises in the looks department as seemingly very little has changed over the years – this is still recognisably a Golf. However, for those unfamiliar with the look it is one of understated elegance and design with the detailing of the headlamps and tail lights in particular blending in beautifully. Closing the doors gives the reassuring thud of a well-made car. In fact, everything you touch gives the impression of being very solid and well-made…

The Drive

The thing that stood out the most for me was being able to park in a tight parking space in a crowded car park in what seemed like one manouvre. There was no to-ing or fro-ing or straightening up, just straight in. Possibly it’s something to do with the speed-sensitive power-assisted electro-mechanical steering (to quote the blurb)! Either ~way, the whole thing’s very easy. With the engine letting off a healthy growl on acceleration and a heavier steering at speed it felt solid and safe. I found the gearbox a bit sticky and kept going into first instead of reverse. It was a comfortable ride: not too soft and it coped well with all the local speed bumps where some cars flounder. I did like the sensor indicating a visual gear change recommendation for optimum fuel consumption.

Space

There are all the usual useful cubby holes for drink bottles and the door bins in our model were lined with carpet and the glove box lined with velour. A nice touch! And mustn’t forget the all-important dedicated sunglass holder. There is also a foldaway cup holder for the back seat passengers. The moveable central armrest housed an Ipod ~connection, almost essential nowadays but amazing how many cars leave this out. The boot was big enough and there is a useful “ski hatch” between the boot and the rear passenger seats for carrying long items without having to fold down any seats, which in turn gives you easy access to the contents of the boot when sitting in the rear without having to resort to gymnastics trying to retrieve an item from the boot whilst on the move. Or you could always carry lots of skis, as we do in Kilburn.

The Interior

It all feels reassuringly, well, German. Well-made and high-quality with lots of attention to detail, which is probably what sets this car apart. No cheap tricks, no fancy styling, just simple elegance and efficiency. Air vents in the back are good . Height and reach-adjustable steering and the front seats benefit from height and lumbar adjustment. Lovely leather-trimmed steering wheel which feels just perfect, plus a leather gear-knob and handbrake grip.

Safety

Isofix child seat mounts for two outer rear seats, driver and front passenger front airbags with deactivation switch on the passenger’s airbag, head airbag system for front and rear passengers, including front side airbags. Here we go with the acronyms: ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD, ESP including EDL and ASR. Should help keep you on the road…

Green

BlueMotion refers to the most fuel and CO2 efficient model in each of VW’s passenger car ranges. BlueMotion models use existing but modified diesel engines and feature changes to gearing, aerodynamics and tyres to produce low-cost vehicles that match or beat hybrids currently ~available in the UK market. All BlueMotion engines also have as standard an oxidation catalyst and a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) which reduce oxides of nitrogen and carbon particles almost to zero. CO2 emissions are a comparatively healthy 119 g/km and the combined MPG is 62.8. In essence this is an ordinary Golf which has had its mechanics and aerodynamics tweaked to offer ultimate efficiency rather than performance, although we should add that this car’s no slouch.

Cost

On the road this model comes in at £16,775.00 with a lot of creature comforts as standard fittings including automatic coming/leaving home lighting function, dusk sensor, automatic driving lights, rain sensor and automatic dimming interior rear-view mirror, ‘Climatic’ air conditioning, cruise control, eight-speaker stereo with CD player and alloy wheels. Pretty competitive with the hybrid gang.

Who

Anyone who wants a classic, stylish well made car with a great image without going down the hybrid route.

It had spent most of its life in the garage, had very low milage, was always spotlessly clean both inside and out and was serviced with alarming regularity. It came at a great time, just when John’s car, which he used every day, came to a standstill.

Now the poor thing has to cope with all weathers, its mileage has doubled within a year, it’s filthy outside and the inside is a health hazard, but worst of all I have to drive it. The cars of today are just such a joy to drive (with the odd exception), whereas this is just awkward by comparison.

Even my mum commented that it must be a shock having to drive it. I protested with rather too much vigour – she saw right through my white lie. I always feel as if I’m driving with my bum inches from the ground and while I’m fighting with gravity and increasing my sessions at the gym I’m only just winning…

The seats are hard to adjust, the steering is heavy, it looks old-fashioned and I just don’t want to drive it any more, unlike Vauxhall’s latest Corsa which feels light-years away from ours. I had the chance to whizz around in a new Corsa 1.3 CDTI Ecoflex, a car my father would really appreciate for its incredible economy (85.6 mpg on an urban fuel cycle and CO2 emissions a mere 105g/km), let alone its looks. And as for the drive…nippy, powerful, responsive and so easy to manoeuvre – unlike the muscle-building qualities of my father’s pride and joy! How our expectations change!

We live in London in a resident’s parking area, and now we have to buy a parking permit for the old Corsa as John seems to be at home with alarming regularity and is using up all the guest passes (he’s previously worked up north and based the car there). Can’t blame him for wanting to feel that he and the car belong, rather than being a guest who occasionally comes to stay but it’s galling to have to spend money on the thing!

Change is good, but it does depend on what you’re changing…

What a day full of surprises. Firstly my childen actually behave despite my usual manic behaviour when a trip is imminent. Secondly, I actually arrive on time to the launch of Peugeot’s new 3008, which isn’t a MPV, SUV or a hatch, but seems to have all their good qualities, such as space without being a tank, rugged looks without being offensive and yet still drives like a Peugeot should. This, I’m reliably informed is a ‘crossover’, which I thought was something else entirely…

But the surprises didn’t end there. I was determined not to get carried away with this Peugeot, as I feel I’m too easily seduced by their gorgeous looks. But I needn’t have worried. At first I thought maybe the French had lost their ‘je ne sais quoi’, especially as the last Peugeot we drove was the elegant 308CC. But as every plain Jane knows, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.

Stepping into their top level trim ‘Exclusive’ HDi 150 with an amazing panoramic sunroof, luxuriating in the feel of the leather and enjoying the power of the 2-litre diesel engine, I had to admit that this car was quite something. And over the course of the day, the exterior grew on me too. Bit of plain Jane bonding going on there.

While I didn’t get to experience the car’s impressive-sounding grip control, its pulling-power was very entertainingly demonstrated using the strength of the car to launch a glider. While you wouldn’t necessarily need this particular attribute in your day-to-day life, it just shows how great this car would be at towing a caravan or a trailer full of quad bikes.

But what really sold this car to me was the ‘grip control’ giving you a helping hand in snow, sand, mud or wet grass where the car has the ability to apply torque to a single wheel that needs the grip, and limit it to those that don’t. Here is a 2-wheel-drive that has the ability to get you out of difficulties that, lets face it, we only encounter once in a while and without the added cost, weight and fuel consumption of a 4×4. Love it!

And just when I’d grown accustomed to its glide-like ride, ease of drive, power and comfort I had to glide for real. No car sickness in the 3008 with its dynamic roll control, but my did I feel slightly green around the gills after being flung 2000 feet above the earth……until, I was enveloped by peace, calm and sheer joy at the spectacle of the landscape gently moving past and the most amazing views of the world below.

After feeling so calm and inspired by the gliding experience, I was quite unprepared for the final surprise of the day. A huge Scalextric set and a very serious organiser who had us competing against one another. Needless to say, I was as resourceful as ever and came second. And the prize? Sadly not a lovely new 3008 to drive home, but instead a Peugeot 908 HDi FAP Scalextric car! Now how do I get that past the kids without a fight breaking out?

While I do drive a rather large car, it’s too big and cumbersome to be looked upon as fashionable and chic. More like a white elephant that we will have to endure until it falls apart at the seams.

I could quite happily see myself in Peugeot’s rather magnificent 4007 which would make me feel rather at home with all the yummy mummys in their large, expensive vehicles. We have quite a few where we live which is a very pleasant, normal area. But come the weekend it becomes transformed into yummy parent land. The weekly farmers market seems to bring them out in droves.

Goodness knows where they actually live as you never see them wandering the streets during the week, or walking their little darlings to school. They’re all off in their enormous gas guzzling cars polluting the air and blocking the roads on their way to the private schools.

I feel our local school is a rather well kept secret. It might be a huge ugly Victorian building and normally receives a dreadful Ofsted report, but the kids love it as much as the parents that send them there. I was in our local Starbucks not long ago and overheard a conversation between the staff. Apparently they like to do things for our local school as they perceive it to be poor and deprived. Nearly choked on my latte. On the other hand let them think that – all the more resources for us, and I can do a good poor and deprived!

Anyway, after grabbing my coffee I jumped into the car to do some household shopping, only to be faced by a yummy daddy – obviously had the day off work or ‘in between’ jobs – blocking the exit to our road with his huge, black 4×4, door open, drinking his coffee and chatting on the phone.

He completely ignored me and carried on chatting. I had an irrisistable urge to peep my horn very loudly in the hope that he would jump and spill his coffee all down his nicely pressed Jermyn Street shirt. However, my mother brought me up to say ‘excuse me’ politely, which is what I did. It went unheard and I sat there patiently until he was ready to move on. I’ll never change, and by the looks of things nor will he.

Now maybe if I had been in a 4007 with its bold, delicious looks bejeweled with chrome he might have taken notice. But there again maybe it just doesn’t produce enough CO2 to compete….

Mondeo’s don’t have a good image in my mind. I can only think of hire cars, salesmen and middle-aged, overweight, smoking, businessmen who look generally disappointed with life. And also an old boyfriend who I would have done anything for until he revealed his lack of driving abilities – in a Mondeo. I never saw him in the same way again!

While I’m quite a bossy mare and know what I want, I do sometimes like my men to take control, especially at the wheel. Knowing where they’re going, driving with purpose and certainty (not that women aren’t just as capable!). Either way I don’t expect to have to give a mini driving lesson to help them get their confidence back. All was lost that day, never to be regained. Funny how a small incident can alter your perception of people and things, with respect being very easy to loose but very hard to regain…

However, while it’s never been the same with said boyfriend and cars (now husband and cars), today’s image of the Mondeo has won me over after all these years.

Perhaps it’s the great drive, the space and the great look of this car that’s done it? The fact that it has an all-new optimised engine giving great mileage and low emissions is icing on the cake.

In my eyes the 2009 Mondeo ECOnetic has a near-ideal blend of looks, performance and driveability. We had the delights of an estate to sample and while sleek and gorgeous on the outside, the interior revealed a boot I could happily move into, and comfort levels far exceeding my sitting room. It was quiet too, unlike my sitting room.

It felt elegant, looked gorgeous and I could happily have driven away in it. To me this is a great family car, being able to accommodate adults, kids and oodles of baggage. A great one for turning up at the school gates (were I that sort of parent who sent their kids to a school where it mattered).

It wouldn’t be out of place in any setting, town or country. And as for husband being allowed to use it for his work car – well, from thinking it would be far too good for him, I’ve realised that’s the whole point: if you’re driving day in, day out and need to carry loads of kit, there can’t be many better places to be.

Sadly at my stage in life with kids still very much in tow, an MPV is the best car for the job, i.e. transporting the little darlings and their friends about and filling the car up with far too much luggage and essential toys for those painful holidays. Frankly I’d much rather stay at home.

So for now I feel stuck with this mode of transport, never having considered what a burden it would become. I wonder whether those yummy mummies and their lovely 4×4 yummy mummy cars get sick of their chosen vehicle. I doubt it, possibly because they change it every year.

I always feel that I reflect the type of car I’m driving – internally at least – and I feel I become what I drive…

That’s to say, harassed mother, constantly shopping in order to keep the fridge full of food for hungry teenagers (a losing battle) sensible clothes and shoes so that I’m comfortable when I’m driving as well as being able to transport said shopping without breaking a leg.

Always in a rush as I’ve never learnt to time-manage despite husband giving me lessons. I just don’t think he gets what home life and childcare is all about and tries to deal with me as he would an annoying, slightly useless colleague. I told him a little tale the other day I thought quite amusing, but all he did was repeat it back to me in a more succinct way so that next time I wouldn’t drivel on and waste his precious time!

I like to think I’m part of a group of mums in the same boat, but when I look around, I feel somewhat isolated:

From the earth mother who is so patient with her kids, always looks smart and floats along, to my friend down the road who gets out of her very sensible car and then sashays down the road looking gorgeous and unflustered. She was a model in her former life and my does it show.

Another bounces along despite what life has thrown at her and of course then there’s the rock chick who always looks as if she’s just got out of bed, but still manages to exude femininity and style despite shoving her kids in her MPV before whisking them off to some private school in a posh part of London.

The moral of this tale? If you have to drive an MPV, choose one that’s practical but more importantly stylish. The Citroen C3 Picasso fits the bill perfectly I think. Then you can drive your vehicle with your head held high, exuding confidence and calm, knowing you look good on the outside even if on the inside you’re a total mess.

BMW X1 sDrive 20d SE (6 speed) £24,205

I’m still undecided about the looks of this car. Are they just bold, or is it a disaster? A bit of this and a bit of that all stuck together. If so, then I know how it feels – and that’s on a good day…

However, despite my quandary about its appearance, it still made me feel like a BMW should make you feel. Special. Luxuriating in the quality, style (yes it does have style) and sheer poshness (just shows how un-posh I am) while I was driving it, it certainly makes you feel good about yourself.

And on top of all this, it does have a practical side. It’s comfortable, has a great driving position and a boot that can swallow up huge amounts of goodies! So with that lovely mix of practicality and image, I felt I was using it to the best of its abilities.

As I sped up the M1 for lunch in Woburn with my lover, a huge shopping load discreetly hidden in the boot, with smaller, more expensive purchases carefully hidden in the space beneath the flat loading floor the car and I looked a million dollars. “In your dreams”, I hear you say. So true. However, I didn’t look too bad for a woman of my age and a lunch date was with my husband. Car and driver fitted in well at the country pub, even if it did take my husband a few seconds to realise it was me waving madly at him as I pulled up outside the restauran

But looking through the restaurant’s windows I did have to admit again that it was an odd looking vehicle Although its looks had grown on me with every mile I drove that might have been the lovely driving experience influencing my thoughts. It has a very long bonnet and the roof seems somewhat squashed. I feel as if the whole thing needs to be pumped up a bit and shortened – but then we’d have an X3, or an X5. It’s a problem.

So where does it fit in with BMW’s line up and why is it needed? BMW say it’s their first compact SUV, being more affordable than other BMW models. It’s not an off-roader, although it claims to be able to cope with rougher terrain that your average car. There again, there is nothing average about hits car, with its looks, great fuel economy (over 50 mpg) and low CO2 emission (139 g/km) and the first X model with the fabulous stop/start function which gives a 3% improvement in fuel economy and is such fun to use, frightening friends and family alike.

It will turn heads, but whether due to admiring glances or sheer curiosity it’s hard to know. I was sad to see it go at the end of the week. And one of the advantages to having rather heavy steering (something I only fully discovered when forced to drive back and forward in front of the camera, endlessly doing u-bends and reversing) was that it definitely tightened up my biceps. Not something I would necessarily look for in a car, but hey, got to fight those bat wings somehow!

This review first published September 2008

The Look

I’ve been told (by Paul mainly) that this is a beautiful car because of its proportions, beautiful lines and flowing curves. I can’t see it myself. It does look smart and the look has grown on me especially since I enjoyed driving it so much, but when I first saw one of these cars I thought they were just plain ugly.

The Grand Espace is larger that your average Espace in the boot area which is great when one is incapable of judging just how much stuff is really needed for a weekend away. I chose to remove one of the back seats to allow for the luggage for me, three kids and two cats. This was amazingly easy to do even when being photographed by a man who was quite clearly not going to offer to help even when he had finished snapping.

The seats in our Peugeot 807 are impossible for me to budge and even my giant of a husband struggles. Perhaps that is why the photographer didn’t offer to help – afraid of being ridiculed. But this was an important aspect of the car for me, actually being able to swap things around for myself rather than having to rely upon someone stronger, and often having to make do.

We also had a great colour which did enhance the look. I didn’t really notice that this was a longer vehicle than the average Espace as it didn’t feel particularly large.

I see this car as big with style, being smooth and sleek. I would miss my sliding doors as I do feel they are a must with kids who are not yet sensible enough to open doors slowly and gently for fear of damaging other vehicles. I also felt that with the passenger doors, there wasn’t a great deal of room for the children to easily get in and out, especially when child seats take up so much room.

There is an enormous tow bar at the rear of the car. I found this got in my way as I tried to fill the boot with shopping etc. I also wonder how this interferes with the sensor system – presumable it takes the tow bar into account when you are trying to get into a tight space. Let’s hope so. I didn’t want to put it to the test.

Interior

While this is a special limited edition Espace, it is not a superior model and has cloth seats whereas I feel that leather is the only way to go especially with children around. However, the seats had a good look and were exceptionally comfortable. After a long and painful journey up the MI on a wet Friday night, my back and legs were not aching at all which was a first for me for a long time. The seats feel very supportive and were easy to adjust which is a must when couples are at extreme ends of the spectrum! I found the seats firm and at the right level of comfort so that I was relaxed as I drove but also alert.

The dashboard is very plain and sturdy. There is nothing flash about it but I loved the solid feel and the way the endless cubby holes opened and closed. The steering wheel has a great feel to it and I like the slight indentations which the thumbs find as the wheel is turned. The controls feel good and there is nothing tacky and cheap about them. I especially loved the remote control for the volume to the CD and radio. So effortless to turn up the volume to drown out the sounds of kids at the back. The climate control is easy to use without having to take your eyes off the road. The master one is in the door on the driver’s side, but the passenger also has there own independent control.

Special features

I was slightly unnerved by the apparently lack of need to apply the hand brake. It’s all automatic once the car has stopped and it automatically goes off when the car pulls away. ~I was very concerned about how I would tackle hill starts without a hand brake and even went to test it out on one of the hills Rolls Royce allegedly tested their cars on in Derbyshire. It just didn’t feel right and realised that I must have got my facts wrong. Sure enough the handbook revealed the hand brake to the right of the steering wheel which automatically goes off when you pull away. From then on, my hill starts were perfect apart from the fact that I continued to stall the car at the most inopportune moments. Not the fault of the car, as no one else had this trouble.

This car has a marvellous credit card style key that unlocks the car without leaving your pocket or handbag. It also disables the car once you walk away from it and the doors lock automatically. Fantastic. However, this knowledge was rather late in revealing itself to the point where we couldn’t understand why Renault had gone for this type of ‘key’. We were getting it out of our bags and pressing the open sign and then plugging it in to the little slot before pressing the lovely starter button. It just shows how important it is to read the manual! The fantastic thing about this method of opening the car is that its hands free and immediate. No fiddling about while trying to keep hold of a wriggling child or bags of shopping.

I do love these starter buttons. The engine didn’t roar into life as with the Honda Civic Type S, but it did gently purr to life. The engine is then switched off with a press of the same button. Lovely.

The headlights remain on for two minutes after you have left the vehicle so that you are not plunged into darkness. Another great feature.

This limited edition is called the Grand Espace Tech Run. It is basically an entertainment centre on wheels, with a DVD DivX  player with two 7” screens which are integrated into the headrests, CD, radio, as well as multi-functional TunePoint to enable you to plug in MP3 players such as iPods. But no usable coffee cup holder which I think is more essential.

The Drive

I really enjoyed my first experience of driving this car once I’d got used to the feel of a gear stick again. It was easy to adjust the arm rest so that my arm could relax and change gear effortlessly.

I found it a very responsive car and didn’t feel as if I was driving an extra long vehicle. Perhaps this is because I am used to a Peugeot 807. It is so much more responsive that my diesel automatic and performed really well on the motorway. We were both put through our paces within minutes of starting the engine as my lift to the Renault depot was late for his flying lesson. I had to follow at speed first through country roads and then a very busy M40 and M25. I couldn’t complain as it was my fault we were late, having demanded to stop for a sandwich. The least I could do was to keep up. I felt that both the car and I performed very well, cruising nicely in sixth and accelerating in fifth when needed. Needless to say, we did arrive in time.

In town I found it to be sprightly and manoeuvrable. The brakes are very responsive and being in an elevated position is always great.

The Road Trip

The M1 sends me twitching at the best of times, but never more so than on a wet Friday afternoon, thinking I’ve beaten the traffic only to find that I’m stuck in the middle of it. A two and a half hour journey turns into a five and a half hour journey and I’ve still got to do it all again in reverse on Sunday afternoon. Why do weekends away always seem like such a good idea? It started off well – it always does for the first few junctions and you are lulled into a false sense of security. I felt I was flying along, really enjoying going into sixth gear (haven’t dared use cruise control ever since my father asked what happens if it gets stuck!). I don’t mind having my foot on the accelerator – it’s the clutch I hate having to deal with, which on this particular journey happened to be a lot. This type of car should always be an automatic. Much as I love using gears, to me a car designed to carry so many passengers, who are likely to be children, the driver should not have to worry about changing gear. It’s one less thing to think about as you try to maintain order in the back and have a free hand to dole out treats when it all goes horribly wrong.

However, at the start of this journey I felt confident that all would be calm with the troops. This model comes equipped with two DVD screens and wireless head sets. Everyone was very impressed by this particular feature. Once set up by my eleven year old, we were all sitting comfortably and we were away.

All I could hear were the odd giggle from the boys and the odd mieow from the cats who had been banished to the large boot. There weren’t even demands for sweets after the normal 10 minutes. I put on my music and enjoyed upping the volume with the remote finger controls and thought I’d cracked it. Peace didn’t last long however. After 50 minutes, William felt sick and complained of a headache, shortly followed by Thomas complaining of the same symptoms. Hannah then joined in moaning that the music was making her want to wee her pants. All on board entertainment was switched off, and we then realised just how much the cats were complaining. Short lived answer to my travelling prayers.

Normality was soon restored after a loo stop and the customary demand for snacks, drinks and sweets. I didn’t have the will-power to say no. Good job I didn’t get a take a way coffee as there wouldn’t have been anywhere appropriate to put it.

The whole experience reminded me why I separate my children on any journey, long or short. Having the three of them in a row so that they could watch the DVD was fine when they could watch it, but when it was switched off, all hell broke loose.

What we did work out on the return journey, was to limit the DVD watching to half hour slots. William was banished to the rear seat to stop him from irritating Hannah. While that worked, safety was an issue as William was constantly half way out of his seat so that he could see the screen. You can’t win.

Safety

The Espace has been given the maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating. There is a feeling of safety being in such an elevated driving position which one would hope would allow the diver to be able to identify any potential risks on the road. There is also automatic activation of the window wipers due to the presence of rain sensors and light sensors which automatically turn on the headlamps in poor light.

There are standard features such as brake assist together with ABS, ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) and understeer programme. This enables the driver to maintain control in the event of hard braking and optimises the stopping distances.  In the event of an impact the Espace has a reinforced body structure which can distort to absorb the impact and there are eight airbags.

There are ISOFIX mounting points in the rear seats to enable the installation of  ISOFIX Child safety seats.

Green Issues

Not only does the 6-speed manual gearbox provide smoothness and fluidity which enhances the driving pleasure, it also reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions which compare favourably to the Voyager without compromising on power.

Cost

This particular model retails at £24,935 with the slightly smaller Espace coming in at £23,735. I definitely think it’s worth the extra £1,200 for the space you acquire.

Review first published September 2008

The Look

The previous Clio was very stylish and unusual with its very distinctive rear window “bustle” and I feel that this look has actually been improved upon with this new model, still being cheeky with a lovely distinct bump to the rear.

I loved the round head lights and we did have a great colour – tempest, which is a wicked bright blue. The cloth interior was stylish with a simple dashboard. The controls are very easy to navigate while driving along. I love the idea of a starter button but this particular one does disappoint. Unlike the Honda Civic Type S which purred into action instantly, there is a slight delay and then an indistinct noise as the engine comes to life. I’d prefer an immediate response – it’s like the car can’t quite make it’s mind up!

Now that I understand the purpose of the credit card style key, I love it. We were puzzled with a previous car to what it was all about. But the fact that you can walk up to the car with the ‘key’ somewhere on your person and the car automatically unlocks is fantastic. All those times I’ve had my hands full of shopping or annoying, struggling children when a key like that would have made all the difference to my sanity. Likewise when you leave the car, and just have to press the button on the door handle to lock the car – marvellous.

The feel

I feel it’s an unfair comparison, but after driving the Renault Grand Espace, the poor Clio seemed rather thin. I felt as if there wasn’t much between me and the road, which I suppose is true to a certain extent. The interior had a slightly plasticky feel to it and I did wonder what extras I was getting compared to the basic Clio which comes in at £8,995. Top of the range is the Initiale which has a leather lined interior and comes in at just over £15,000. While this car was not test-driven, if I had £15,000 to play with there’s a lot of choice out there.

The Drive

We have a great deal to say about the drive, and just hope it doesn’t reflect our driving abilities! As it affected us all in a similar way, I think not.

It took me quite a while to get used to driving this car – to the point where I felt I was a learner again and not someone who has been driving for nearly thirty years in different countries in a wide range of cars. I didn’t exactly kangaroo, but it wasn’t far off on more than one occasion. I was constantly revving too much and couldn’t seem to find the right gear. Trying to make smooth progress around town I found impossible, especially when in second gear in slow moving traffic. But it did feel very nippy and powerful, with good acceleration and light steering. There just seems to be a certain “snatchiness” when coming on and off the accelerator in town. We’ve driven an auto and that obviously solves the problem completely.

I decided to take myself and my eldest son to take it for a spin up the M1 on a Sunday evening once Corrie was over, although he did have to be bribed. It actually flew up the first five junctions and cruised very nicely in sixth gear with plenty of power in reserve. It was quite a blowy evening but the car did not feel as if it was being buffeted around at all. It didn’t struggle at that speed and the gear-changes were smooth and satisfying – unlike those lower gears around town. Having been used to larger cars I was pleasantly surprised at how safe and stable the car felt even when overtaking larger vehicles.

Others have complained of the brakes feeling spongy. They felt fine to me but apparently I’ve been driving around with contaminated brake fluid in my car so anything would be an improvement!

I felt it was quite an achievement once I could drive this car without searching for the right gear and juddering along and I grew to really enjoy nipping around town.

Storage and space

Having five doors does make this car more versatile for carrying passengers, children etc. I wouldn’t want to go on a long journey with five people in the car, but then it is a supermini and you’d buy something larger if you regularly carried lots of people. Neighbours of ours have a similar-sized car and often go on holiday abroad with their two kids and don’t see what the fuss is all about. As I am a panic packer (pack everything just in case) it wouldn’t suit me. My neighbour has obviously got it down to a fine art. I definitely need some tips from her.

Cost

I would class this car alongside the Peugeot 207 for space and curb-appeal. Having had a little go in a 207 I felt it was a good comparison. The looks are quite different, but both nice in their own ways and come in at around the same price.

Safety

The Clio has two front airbags, two front lateral airbags and two front/rear  curtain airbags and Euro NCAP have given it a 5 star rating for adults.

There are ISOFIX mounting points and the front airbag can be disconnected to allow a child to sit safely in the front seat. It has an Electronic Stability programme (ESP) which helps to control the stability of the car if a sudden manoeuvre has to be carried out or if there is poor grip or irregular road surface. It also has ABS anti-lock braking system with EBD which helps the driver to remain in control if there is the need for sudden braking.

Summary

The Clio has a huge reputation, especially with us Brits. So perhaps we were giving it too much to live up to? Don’t get us wrong; it’s a great little car. Well-made, stylish, powerful and reasonably-priced. Shouldn’t cost too much to run either. We were disappointed with the jerky drive around town though and the vague gearbox, both of which conspired to make it harder to drive than it should have been. On faster roads though, the Clio was rock-steady, powerful and felt very safe.

Personally if I had one less child and they were a tad younger I’d buy one, but I’d get the auto…