IF you think car makers are having a laugh when they quote so-called combined fuel economy figures which seems a world away from reality, it's time to put a smile on your face with the Skoda Rapid 1.6-litre 90ps Greenline.
The Greenline series in the Skoda range has been optimised to stretch economy as far as possible in real-world driving conditions and the medium sized Rapid, which falls between the Fabia and Octavia models in the Czech car maker's range, can produce some startling results.
The official combined fuel consumption figure for the car is just over 50mpg, but in brim-to-brim tests over a variety of roads we managed to push-up this economy by almost a third to 66.2mpg. If we had been really trying to save every thimble-full of fuel we might have touched 70mpg.
But what we did achieve was really impressive anyway.
As part of the Volkswagen Group, Skoda benefits from all the technology developed for the various brands but retains strong individual identity and owner loyalty and everyone benefits as a results.
The Rapid aatchback - a semi-estate is also available but strangely afford less carrying capacity - is a genuine five-seater with a boot which takes from 550 to 1,490 litres.
At the other end there is a wide range of petrol and diesel engines but the 1.6 90ps diesel is the most popular and when ordered with the Greenline tuned features it delivers environmental and economic savings.
With less than 100gkm of CO2 coming out of the exhaust it gets tax advantages for registration and business users.
You will find the 90ps engine is a very willing performer and the close-set five-ratio gearbox produces good pulling power, a reasonable acceleration and relaxed motorway cruising.
That means you could cruise from Cardiff to Clapham and back, because I cannot imagine why you'd want to stay there, for about £25. Five up that's a fiver-a-head.
The Skoda Rapid is therefore a sensible person's choice of car.
But it doesn't lack too much in sophistication either with the Rapid Greenline getting air conditioning, electric front windows, multiple front airbags, CD-player in dash and central locking.
It's roomy without being cumbersome in city driving thanks to its well-geared and weighted power steering, it has strong progressive brakes and it rides over bad roads with a comfortable character. Handling is safe and sure.
The seats are well sized and shaped to comfortably keep occupants located on twisting roads and visibility is excellent throughout, helped by good wipers and bright headlights for bad conditions.
Noise levels are generally low apart from some suspension bump-thump sounds over potholes or when the 1,600 cc engine is really stretched as when overtaking.
At the price the Skoda Rapid Greenline stands up well against costlier and no more refined rivals which are also not laughing at its abilities to deliver value with a smile.