WHEN it comes to small city cars, there's a massive choice available which could have you trudging round forecourts or pouring over web sites for months on end.

But one little gem that should be high up on the must check-out list is the evergreen Vauxhall Corsa.

The fourth generation of the marque's supermini was totally revised back in 2010 and was a huge leap forward over the previous model.

With sharp styling and a great interior it offered more space, comfort and refinement than ever before and it adopted styling features from the then latest Astra, Insignia and Meriva models, most notably by its eagle-eye headlights and revised nose job.

Inside, the new optional Touch and Connect multi-media system had a five-inch touch screen display featuring both 2D and 3D maps for the navigation system, as well as a CD/tuner, aux-in, USB and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity.

There was a massive array of models, trim levels and engines from which to choose and they all represent great value for money, none more so than the lead-in 12-valve, one-litre petrol ecoFLEX in Expression trim.

Vauxhall first introduced their ecoFLEX engines back in 2008 and they were designed to reduce emissions and increase fuel economy. They were further enhanced a couple of years later when stop/start technology was introduced.

As with most small cars, entry-level models don't come loaded with masses of kit. But what they miss out spec wise they make up with their budget price tag. And that is certainly the case with the Corsa Expression.

It drove and rode well and the steering and brakes offered drivers bags of confidence to keep up with the traffic flow.

On motorways and dual-carriageways the Corsa felt stable and well-planted, while on more twisting back roads it really proved its worth, mastering twisting sections with ease and without excess body roll.

However, this was a car designed for busy city traffic, where it proved to be the master of all it surveyed and even the smallest of parking places proved no problem for the Corsa to slip into.

However, with just 64bhp available and 66lb/ft of torque on tap, it was certainly no pocket rocket and tended to run out of puff on long inclines and steeper hills.

But you can't have it both ways, and the upside is that emissions were pared to 120g/km putting it into VED band C with its £30 annual road tax, while combined fuel consumption came in at 55.4mpg.

For a small car, luggage space was up to scratch with no less than 285 litres available which could be increased to 1,050 litres with the back seats folded. You'll also find plenty of cubby holes and storage areas to hold coins, phones and such likes when on the hoof.

So for those seeking out a good-looking, quality-built, used city car with a price tag that will not have the bank manager rolling about laughing, then the Corsa Expression ecoFLEX certainly ticks all the right boxes.

Price-wise, you should be looking at paying from around the £2,830 mark up to £3,780 for a 2012 61-plate example with 40,000 miles on the clock, while a newer 2013 62-plate model with around 30,000 miles should have a price tag somewhere between £3,215 and £4,205.

However, if you want a bit more added comfort and more on-board goodies, the 1.0 ecoFLEX engine was also fitted to higher spec S, Excite, Active and Energy trim levels, which could add another £600 to £1,200 to the showroom price depending on the model.