THE growing trend towards downsizing means buyers are spoiled for choice when it comes to small city cars that run for ever on little more than petrol fumes.
But while they might have a budget priced sticker on the windscreen and boast basement level running costs some models have a very definite cheap feel to them when it comes to their ride and handling.
Not so Nissan's Pixo, however, a city car that won't seriously damage your wealth and won't give you nightmares if you try to take a sharp bend at little more than walking pace.
The Pixo is not the sort of car you buy if your ideal motor is always first away at the traffic lights. Quick on acceleration it's not. But for normal city driving the Pixo is quite happy to go with the flow and won't cause you any embarrassing moments.
And the nice thing about it is it boasts a very comfortable ride and impressive stability when you are going a little quicker than perhaps you should.
With a three cylinder engine of fractionally less than one litre the Pixo, however, is really more about practicality and economy than performance.
With the range starting from just £6.995, and being capable of averaging around 64 miles per gallon and entry level Visia models attracting just group one insurance there are few cars which are more economical.
The Pixo is a full four seater, and although it is a little bit tight for rear leg room the soft material of the backs of the front seats means you don't have to have your knees under your chin - and it does have four doors so getting in and out is simple.
Parking in town and city centres is simple too thanks to its brilliantly small turning circle and its relatively small dimensions - it is 154mm shorter than the Nissan Micra.
The boot space is limited and designed more for supermarket shopping than going on holiday but on my Tekna version there was the option of being able to fold down the 50/50 split rear seat backs to create room for larger items.
Even on the entry level model Visia you get ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, twin front airbags, power steering, CD player with MP3 playback and rear wash/wipe.
But if you want air conditioning you have to step up to the top grade but one, the n-tec model.
The dashboard is a little on heavy on plastic but not unattractive and there is just one large dial - the speedometer - which sits immediately in front of the driver.
The engine is mated to a very smooth five speed manual gearbox but a four speed auto is available.
The Pixo is built in Delhi by Suzuki for Nissan and shares a lot of its parts with the Suzuki Alto, although the distinctive Nissan grille means the association is not immediately noticeable.