Vauxhall Agila

Vauxhall Agila 1.2i 16V DESIGN

We've already been impressed by the Suzuki Splash. Can Vauxhall improve on the package?

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Jack Rix

February 2008

Rating:

Small motors are big news! And as our towns grow ever larger, it’s the most compact that are setting the pace in both practicality and popularity. The city car sector, which includes models such as the Fiat Panda and Ford Ka, has expanded dramatically. Now Vauxhall is tackling the competition head on, with its all-new Agila looking for a slice of the action.

Developed alongside the Suzuki Splash, which we drove for the first time last week, the new model is a radical departure from the original.

It’s 20 centimetres longer and six centimetres wider, but has youthful, cheeky looks. With crisp bodywork and a sporty silhouette, especially with the optional 15-inch alloys, the car certainly turns heads. The bumper and tailgate are very much in line with the Corsa, while the nose gets Vauxhall’s distinctive V-shaped grille.

The overall effect creates a car that’s clearly working hard to appeal to fashion-conscious drivers. Climb on board, and the dashboard – which is lifted from the Splash – is neat and functional. Highlights include a pod-mounted rev counter and oversized speedo. The arrangement is clearly reminiscent of the new MINI, and is well executed throughout.

These touches, along with Agila- embossed fabric on the seats, add enough character to divert your eyes from the sea of rock-hard plastics that spoil the appeal of the other-wise upmarket cabin. Impressively, the Agila makes the most of its modest dimensions. There is enough room for five adults on a short trip, with generous headroom creating the illusion of a much more spacious cabin.

In the back, you’ll find a 225-litre load bay, with extra storage under the hinged boot floor. Fold the rear seats flat, and 1,050 litres becomes available. An optional powered tailgate is also a first in this class.

Based on Suzuki’s excellent Swift, the Agila proves perfect for darting in and out of traffic. But it’s the smooth ride that takes centre stage.

Whether soaking up bumps on rough city streets or cruising along on the motorway, the supple suspension gives the feel of a much larger vehicle. Both petrol engines on offer are supplied by Suzuki – we tried the 1.2-litre model with 85bhp, and this eager, rev-happy powerplant perfectly suits the chassis’ swift reflexes. Add this to the ultra-light pedal and steering actions, and driving in frustrating stop-start traffic quickly becomes fun, instead of the usual chore.

There is also a three-cylinder 64bhp 1.0-litre petrol unit, and for diesel fans, a 1.3-litre CDTI from the Corsa with 74bhp. Both of these units emit only 120g/km of CO2.

A choice of three trim levels is on offer. The entry-level Expression spec, which is only available on the 1.0-litre, comes with ABS, a stereo CD player and body-coloured bumpers, and costs an attractive £7,595.

Vauxhall expects the Club trim to be the biggest seller in the line-up, as it’s offered with all three engines. It adds steering wheel audio controls, heated electric door mirrors and the extra storage beneath the boot. Prices here range from £8,495 up to £10,495 for the diesel version.

Top-spec Design trim, as on our test car, is reserved for only the 1.2-litre petrol and oil-burner variants. Here, prices start at £9,595 and rise to £11,195. An automatic gearbox can be added as a £1,000 alternative to the five-speed manual, but this is only available on the 1.2-litre model.

Overall, the Agila is a polished effort from GM, even if plays it safe. However, the model does demonstrate a great awareness of what the modern city customer wants. Stay away from the unnecessarily expensive and sluggish diesel engine, and the agile Agila is a sensible, entertaining choice.

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2 Comments

i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

such an amazing carr soooooooooo good. my mum got one best car iv ever ben in sooo good.if you thinking of get one get one used
do not get one new or u can if you got lots of money

By jayguy090 on 7 November, 2010, 2:58pm

Surprise

I drive a BMW 523i touring which got a bit of damage thanks to another driver who admitted to it. The insurance company sent me to a body repair shop who would also supply a loan car. I was handed a Vauxhall key with the advice "I'll show you the car in a moment". By now knowing I'd be in for a utilitarian week or so, I apprehensively surveyed the parking lot to guess which if any would be the appropriate Vauxhall. Of several contenders, only one gave me a stomach wrenching 'Dear God, don't let it be that one' feeling. I know, I thought, still alone, I'll activate the remote locking system and see if one flashes at me. Oh dear, it was indeed the bright light green Agila I had feared! Never mind, it's a free supply and it's transport, just let's be grateful and hope nobody recognises me in it!
Well, after the garage showed me over it, I was pleased to note it was only a few months old with just 720 miles from new. The cheap looking dash actually contained about all you'd need for, well, just about any journey. This offered air-con, CD radio, a stick on forgot to build it in rev-counter and a comprehensive speedo dial with LCD multi function display, though I found this harder to read whilst driving than my BMW.
As might be expected, the nearly new mechanicals and suspension were all beautifully smooth and uptight, giving this surely cheap ecobox a kind of cheering quality. My first journey was 6 miles out of the busy town straight home, and to my amazement, I was quite enchanted by it well before arrival, The high seating sort of pseudo 4X4 disposition was really easy to get in and out of and a pleasure to drive in. Very quickly I found that perhaps I could live with this, apart from the sickly pea green colour, for shortish local journeys. It happened that during the week, I had cause to make a 300 mile round trip in a day which would embrace A roads, B roads and motorways. Oops, that could be a trip to far for the little one, after all, that is what my BMW was built for. What a surprise that this sweet little thing whizzed us along at, what shall I say, motorway speeds, without any fuss or strain, remaining light and positive to drive at all times. From a standstill, the car felt lively and willing through all the gears, even being agreeable to pulling, albeit modestly, at lowish speeds in 5th gear. I noticed that the car was given to me having achieved 41 MPG, and after 350 mixed miles, it's now up to 42. I notice that since I've been taking surprise interest in the car, claims of 50 MPG have been suggested, but this may reflect the need for a bit more running in. This is a 1.2 litre petrol version, and after my 2.5 litre BMW, sticking at 42 MPG would seem like a fuel holiday.
This cute girly little car hasn't quite made me doubt my sexuality, but it has definately made me wonder if I need to lug the Ark Royal around when clearly mini eco-cars have obviously come on to such a high standard.
One final point. On two occasions, we have returned to busy car parks, and at the point of wondering where it was we parked, there was Pea Green calling out to us! Hmmm!, that colour was the last thing I thought might be an advantage!
The lessons to me here are the very old 'Don't judge a book by it's cover' syndrome, and try more unlikely things in life, you might uncover some nice surprises! I will have this car for another 5 daysafter which I know I will be sorry to give it back. I can hardly believe I'm saying any of this! Well done Vauxhall or Suzuki or whoever, and thank you to the pretty lady who hit my BMW!

By Stillinterested on 23 January, 2011, 6:01pm

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