BET you didn't know that the original title of Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice was First Impressions.

Just a bit of useless information and hardly relevant here, other than to relate that prejudice can certainly prove the result of initial feelings.

My first impression of the Nissan Pixo wasn't favourable. Bit nondescript, drab inside and lacking in the sort of funky style that makes more recent arrivals on the city car scene like the Citigo, up! and Mii so appealing.

As the days passed though, the Pixo's character started to emerge - to the point that by the end of the week I was sorry to see the little Nissan collected.

That there was still plenty of fuel in the tank made its departure harder to bear, but then when you are returning more than 60 miles to the gallon that's understandable.

In response to some recent newcomers to its patch Nissan completed a summer spruce-up on the Pixo with some fresh colours, improved interior and a tax and toll-saving drop in emissions.

There's still just a single engine choice, a 1.0-litre three cylinder petrol that thanks to some aerodynamic tweaks now emits just 99g/km of CO2.

And its headline figure of 0-62mph in 14 seconds suggests this 68ps powerplant has about as much punch as a popgun.

Yet a substantial amount of urban driving, which is the ideal habitat for a car like this, suggested otherwise. In fact the Pixo proved light in traffic, easy to park, generally enjoyable to drive and perky with it.

From a practical point of view there's ample rear space for two adults with plenty of head and shoulder room, while legroom is okay provided the front seats aren't slid fully back.

The seats are comfortable all round, the rear ones splitting 50/50 and folding almost flat, extending what's pretty minimal load space.

But a drab interior hardly helped by brittle plastics, rubbery steering wheel and sound system buttons with that cheap sprayed alloy effect hardly endear you to the cabin.

If you're happy to live with that, then you are getting a very affordable and competent city car that boasts low running costs, is free from road tax and looks quite attractive too.

Prices are from £7,250 for the 1.0-litre Visia model, which undercuts everything else in its area of the market bar close relation the Suzuki Alto and the ultra bargain basement Perodua Myvi.

Pay an extra grand for n-tec and the likes of electric front windows, air-con, side airbags, alloy wheels and central locking are included.