Advice

Top 5 least powerful cars

These pocket-sized city cars may be short power, but they're easy on the wallet and with differences in engine note, character, design and packaging, each has its own appeal.

14 Jan 2017 4:19 AM

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Tiny 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine makes some nice noises for an econobox, but it needs plenty of revs to make its best. Fortunately the lightweight Celerio body makes for respectable if not scintillating fun.

FIAT 500 POP Power: 51kW

Ancient 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder has decent torque and well-matched gear ratios. But it could do with more pizazz and spark, especially at the top of its rev range.

MITSUBISHI MIRAGE Power: 57kW

It’s more about the value and price than driving excitement. The throbby three-pot 1.2 atmo makes the right noises, but there’s not much in the way of punch associated with it.

PEUGEOT 2008 ACTIVE Power: 60kW

Efficient and loaded with character, but the atmo triple is lacking when you want to get up it. Fortunately the 2008 is clever and spacious inside, making for a good-value small SUV.

FIAT 500 LOUNGE Power: 62kW

Just two cylinders work hard to produce 62kW, but it’s the stout 145Nm that defines the Fiat 500’s 0.9-litre turbo. Economy looks good on paper but doesn’t translate to the real world.