Citroen C2 1.4 HDi LX

But apart from one of the most fuel-efficient models ever driven by Auto Express, what else do you get for your ΂£8,695? The answer is a remarkably stylish and refined supermini that looks good - even though the Sunshine Yellow paintwork of our test car certainly polarised opinion in the office.

The interior is also quite funky, but some of the plastics on the dashboard are brittle and unpleasant to the touch - which raises concerns about the car's build quality in the long term.

Performance isn't exhilarating, but it's respectable enough for the Citroen to keep up with traffic, thanks to an even torque curve that reduces the need for frequent downchanges. In town, the car can feel slightly breathless when pulling away from the lights, but otherwise the engine is fairly responsive and surprisingly refined when cruising at motorway speeds. Changing gears is easy enough, even though the box is let down by its vague, jerky action.

Handling is reasonable, although a combination of skinny tyres and light steering makes the newcomer unpredictable and prone to understeer when cornered hard. That won't be an issue to economy-conscious buyers, though, and as a bargain-priced, handy runabout, it has plenty to recommend it.