Vauxhall - Agila

2000-07 

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Agila is Vauxhall's version of the Suzuki Wagon R+, with different engines and styling. A compact four-seater that's cheap to run, it's also roomier than some small city cars.

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	Practical, reliable and cheap to run
	Nimble around town with light steering
	Five-door practicality, easy to live with
	Boxy looks don't please everybody
	1.0 is slow and has basic equipment
	Unrefined compared with the best modern superminis

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Agila is based on the second generation Suzuki Wagon R+ launched here in 2000. It differs in equipment detail and uses engines from the Corsa. The four-cylinder 75 bhp 1.2 unit is the one to choose; the three-cylinder 1.0 motor is underpowered and gets harsh a higher revs. Either will give 45 mpg.
Although it's undemanding to drive and competent as a city runabout or even a small family car with space for two adults plus two children and luggage, the boxy Agila has several drawbacks.
The cabin looks a bit basic and is under-equipped (useful kit like central locking, electric windows and air con are all extras). The ride is patchy (becoming rough on some surfaces), noise levels are fairly high, and the body rolls heavily when cornering at speed. All in all, it's best as a second car for shopping trips and school runs rather than longer open-road journeys.