Model tested: Citroen Saxo VTR
Price: £9975
Date tested: March 2009
Road tester: Richard Dredge

Overall rating: 66%
While newer designs from rivals have often put the Saxo at a disadvantage, it's found plenty of appeal among buyers who want cheap transport that's also fun to drive.

1: Looks
In some ways the earlier Saxos are better looking, as the droopy nose that characterises the facelifted Saxo isn't entirely successful from all angles – the basic proportions are spot on.
8/10

2: Looks inside
The Saxo's interior is dated – even post-2000 facelifted cars appear to have been driven straight out of the ark. Sportier Saxos get a few shiny highlights to lift the dowdy interior, but the plastics are low-rent.
4/10

3: Practicality
The Saxo is small, so you can't expect too much carrying capacity. However, there's up to 954 litres of load bay space with the rear seats folded flat – but those seats don't have a split fold facility on all editions.
7/10

4:Ride and Handling
This is where the Saxo makes the most sense, as its lightweight bodyshell ensures strong performance and superb agility. The steering is light and precise, and there's a surprisingly cosseting ride.
10/10

5: Performance
The VTR will crack 115mph with its 90bhp 1.6-litre engine; it can also despatch 0-60mph in 9.7 seconds. It feels quicker though, and using the revs is no hardship as the engine thrives on them so happily.
8/10

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6: Running costs
The 1.6-litre VTR has an official combined fuel consumption figure of just under 40mpg; that'll soon drop with hard driving, but at least it's achievable, because the VTR can be pretty rapid if you want it to be.
8/10

7: Reliability
The Saxo is generally reliable, but watch out for poor running of the engine because of ECU faults, brakes going out of adjustment, while while seat sliding mechanisms can fail and balancing alloy wheels can be tricky.
6/10

8: Safety
The Saxo achieved just two stars in EuroNCAP tests; even late cars had no standard ABS, except for on the VTS. You'll search in vain for ESP or multiple airbags too – all cars got one for the driver though.
3/10

9: Equipment
The Saxo is an old-school tiddler, so equipment levels are sparse. All cars got an immobiliser and CD player, while the VTS got electric windows, remote central locking, power steering and alloy wheels.
5/10

10: X-Factor
The Saxo is still a great package offering cheap transport, style and a fun drive, but its lack of crash resistance means the young drivers who buy them should probably stay well away.
7/10