BIG car benefits with small car running costs are the attractions of the limited edition Mitsubishi Colt Juro.
The sleek-looking Colt has been a feature of the Mitsubishi Motors UK range for many years but in 2011 it underwent a make-over based on the CZ2 version.
To the standard car with its air conditioning and electric windows, Mitsubishi added portable Garmin satellite navigation with Bluetooth remote connectivity and leather upholstery.
The three-door and five-door Colt body styles now run to four trim levels over more than a dozen models from under £9,250 to almost £14,450 with 74bhp 1.1 to 147bhp 1.4-litre engines and five-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions.
The Juro package is probably the most popular and this one featured a beefy little 1.3-litre engine developing 94bhp.
You are rarely pushing the performance envelope with the 1.3 Juro. It behaves in a satisfyingly refined manner in town and on the motorway you have sufficient power in reserve to overtake safely and quickly when an opportunity presents itself.
The willingness and smoothness of the engine is matched by the gearchange and its light, very progressive clutch, delightfully balanced and effective brakes and a nimble steering response for city driving which gives the Juro a good tight turning circle.
Secondary controls are close to hand and although the instruments are on the small side and sparsely marked, they are well lit at night.
The heating and ventilation is straightforward and worked well to keep the windows clear and the cabin cosy and there are powered front windows.
I found the oddments' room adequate but not immense and the slim boot behind the low back sill takes a minimum 186 litres rising to over 600 litres with the back seats folded down.
Five doors are good for the cabin access even if the apertures are not particularly generous.
Once inside, the seats are comfortable, quite well shape and the front pair have useful adjustment range to take a variety of occupants. The back seats are flatter and not so supporting but room is good unless you have very long legs.
The ride quality is surprisingly good for a city car. The Juro soaks up bumps very well and there is slight body roll but it's not unsettling or uncomfortable although you can hear how hard the springs and dampers are coping with bumps and potholes.
Handling is entirely safe and you know where the Juro's limits are on damp tight corners without it becoming alarming.
I liked the agility of the Juro around town and on twisting country roads. Its performance is good, not startling, but it satisfyingly achieved close to the indicated or expected overall fuel consumption.
For city driving or smaller users, the slim roof pillars, low waistline and large windows gave excellent visibility when parking and the wipers were good at their job.
Overall, the Mitsubishi Juro is a good package, possibly under-appreciated by potential buyers, but it is one of the better city cars on sale at the moment.