PAY less than six grand for a new car and you don't really expect to get much more than a basic town run-around.
That's what you'd think, but in the case of the Daihatsu Charade EL you get a surprising array of goodies including twin airbags, electric and speed-sensitive power steering, height-adjustable steering wheel, electric front windows and door mirrors, radio/ CD player, ABS with electronic brake force distribution, immobiliser, central locking, split/ folding rear seats and head restraints front and back.
You also get stacks of room inside, although the boot space isn't one of the best I've come across in the small city car sector. However you do have the ability to fold the back seats down which would allow you to get a reasonably bulky item in the back.
What you also get is plenty of miles per gallon. The Charade's rather noisy 989cc three-cylinder engine can give you close to 60 mpg on a mixed run and even around town Daihatsu claims you can expect 47mpg.
The small engine also offers buyers the chance to qualify for the ultra-low £75 road fund licence.
Nippy performance is also on the cards with the EL - 62 mph from rest comes up in just over 12 seconds and its top speed is claimed at 100 mph. To put this into context, the Charade's figures precisely match those of the 1.4-litre, 75bhp, Peugeot 206.
I drove the five-speed manual version and to be honest I found the gearchange dreadful. It may have been this particular Charade but it had a very obstructive gate and at times I found it difficult to get it into first gear. Not ideal when you are first in the queue at the lights.
That aside it is a pleasant enough motor to drive, in town and on the motorway. It handles well around town and on country roads and the brakes are efficient.
Daihatsu benchmarked the larger Renault Clio for ride and refinement, with extensive development work being undertaken on European roads.
There is a bit of wind and road nose at high speed, but you can't expect luxury car standards at such a bargain price.
Leg space is pretty good in the front but it is a bit tight for tall adults in the back. The Charade has a high driving position for such a small car which means visibility is good from a driver's point of view.
I found the electric window switch very badly placed behind the steering wheel and the radio controls are not well placed either. Nor is there much storage space inside, so many of your odds and ends will end up on the back seat.
All told, however, the Charade does a competent job of coping with City life. It has some shortcomings, but it's a great improvement on its predecessor and if you're prepared to live with a few minor design faults it represents terrific value for money.
FAST FACTS
Daihatsu Charade 1.0 EL 3-dr
Price: £5,995
Mechanical: 58bhp, 989cc 3 cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5-spd manual transmission
Max speed: 99mph
0-62mph: 12.2 secs
Combined mpg: 58.9
Insurance group: 5
CO2 emissions: 114g/km
BiK rating: 15%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited miles; 6yrs anti-rust