LONG distance cruising is not exactly what city cars are made for.
But, after all, a car is a car and it's got to hold its own under any circumstances.
Yet taking a mini car out onto a motorway can be a daunting experience, especially if it lacks the necessary clout.
In many cases, you feel vulnerable just because the car is so small never mind the lack of horse power.
So putting one of the smallest cars money can buy at the moment through such rigours is nigh on the ultimate test - and the Citroen C1 passes with flying colours.
It may measure only 3.4metres long and is 1.6metres high but you don't feel out of place mixing it with the big boys.
And when it comes to power there is a surprising amount of life from the three cylinder, one-litre engine.
It zips along and has the necessary energy, even for motorway overtaking.
Costing £7,345, the higher specification five door C1 Rhythm is still one of the cheapest cars on the road and ideal for first time buyers.
Inside it is modern and spacious for a car of such proportions and the interior design is well thought out with plenty of storage space.
This particular car came with optional air conditioning - a £500 extra - but that was all that was missing from an otherwise comprehensive standard specification.
That includes advanced braking systems plus stability control and the ability to disable the passenger airbag enabling a child seat to be fitted in the front.
Fuel economy is excellent at a claimed 61.4mpg and emissions are low at 109g/km.
However, the boot is tiny at just 130 litres and even with the back seats down there's only 712 litres of space. More than two people going away for the weekend would struggle.
The high roof line does have advantages and creates sufficient room for adults in the rear in some degree of comfort but it is only a four seater.
It is also quite noisy with a lot of exhaust rasp, even at low speeds. Mind you, the sound can grow on you and becomes part of the fun of driving this diminutive creation.
Around town the C1 is a cinch to park and as an everyday commuter is almost perfect.
Out on the open road it proved a bit twitchy in motorway turbulence and crosswinds posed a problem.
The five speed gearbox was also a touch notchy and although the single blade wiper for the windscreen does the job, the rear wiper fails to clear enough of the back window for good vision. It is set up for left hand drive models and Citroen needs to address this for UK versions.
Electrically operated front windows are fitted to the Rhythm but the rear ones only pop open a fraction sideways - just like on the original Mini - so fitted air conditioning is all the more important.
The C1 is part of a three marque range linking Citroen, Toyota and Peugeot and basically it is the same at the Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 107.
But the Citroen is the cheapest of the three with its prices starting at £6,495.
It's a bargain in anyone's book and with Group One insurance the C1 is one of the cheapest ways to get on the road.
FAST FACTS
Citroen C1 1.0i Rhythm 5dr
Price: £7,345
Mechanical: 68bhp, 998cc, 3cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 98mph
0-62mph: 13.7 secs
Combined mpg: 64.1
Insurance group: 1
CO2 emissions: 109g/km
BiK rating: 15%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 3yrs paint; 12yrs anti-rust