Still, I wouldn't lambaste this little car for its reaction. It's engine is really a surprising performer for its size and power. The 1-litre, three-cylinder unit puts out 50Kw and 87Nm of torque. It's not a lot when compared to many other vehicles on the road, but the car still pulls well and keeps on going to redline without any fading, while a lovely little growl accompanies acceleration.

Braking is sharp and there's no fade. I discovered this was very useful in heavy traffic, as the Alto can be manoeuvred much more quickly than many other cars. I was confident I would be able to react quickly and get a equally quick reaction from the car.

It will zip around city roads with ease and retain its good handling even with a fully-loaded boot and all four seats occupied. Just build up a good head of steam before the big hills.

All the knobs and switches

Front windows are electric, the steering wheel is adjustable and the audio system is MP3 compatible. The controls for the air-conditioning and sound system are neat, clearly marked and easy to use. Central locking and 'keyless entry' is also standard.

A cute touch is the placement of the rev counter in a separate pod just above and to the right of the instrument cluster. Does this little car dream of becoming a track vehicle, I wondered to myself.

There's not much space in the boot ? perhaps a few bags of groceries or a two backpacks would fit in at a squeeze. If you need a real-life example: I had trouble getting a 600-gram box of Rice Krispies to fit in there without catching part of the seat or boot lip. Still, it never claims to be designed for storage and I did not have the need for more space in the days I was driving it. Even with three other people in the car.

Verdict:

Considering the Alto?s rivals ? like the Hyundai Atos and Kia Picanto and perhaps the Toyota Yaris T1 ? the Alto is a great package of quality, fun and convenience. Ideal as a first car or urban runabout.

Prices: