Daewoo Nubira 1.8 CDX auto

The driving experience is pleasant enough, with an inoffensive ride, sensibly weighted steering and not too much body roll through the corners. However, it's corners of another type that are the problem; several have been cut to achieve the ΂£12,870 price tag, and sliding behind the wheel, it's easy to see where. The cabin's grey plastics and fake wood lack substance, and the seats are the sort you sit on rather than in. Another problem is the gearchange - not the mechanics of cog-swapping while driving, but the actual moving of the lever, which is noisy and clunky compared to class leaders.

Yet this car has much to offer. The boot is a good size, the rear seats are roomy for both head and legs, there is plenty of standard equipment and the overall fit and finish appear solid. The Pininfarina-styled exterior is plain, but not unappealing, and while the powerplant sounds harsh under aggressive acceleration, it is only likely to upset those who push their cars hard.