ALTHOUGH the market for automatic cars in Europe is much smaller than it is across the pond in the good ol' US of A, many people prefer the ease and convenience of not having to bother with gears and a clutch.

This is why I have often wondered why so many makers give their automatic boxes a manual setting. I have yet to meet an owner who ever uses them - why pay a shedload more money for a pedigree dog and then bark yourself?

One of the best small automatics to come my way recently was the Suzuki Splash - a fine five door city car with a smooth and willing 1.2 petrol engine driving through a four speed automatic.

It was nippy and willing - if not really very quick - and despite the traditional automatic gearbox, was still capable of nearly 50mpg.

Apart from a slightly lumpy ride on rough roads in town - the bane of so many otherwise good cars, it was comfortable and refined and had the most tremendous handling and road-holding, with grip that seemed to go on forever.

Interior

There is a fair sized boot and a 60/40 split-fold back seat with decent legroom. Equipment includes air conditioning (better left off unless needed in all small cars) electric front windows, remote locking and the safety of stability control. The rev-counter is on a pod on the dash top, and all other warning lights and instruments are in one large very visible dial in front of the driver.

Marks: 9/10

Main rival: Vauxhall Agila, Citroen C2.