THElittle Suzuki Splash is an ideal first or second car, very cheap to run and yet bigger than most city cars, with five doors and room for four adults.

It is cheap to insure, has excellent economy and can also be very reasonable to buy.

All have well weighted power steering and willing performance at lower speeds, making them ideal urban cars.

But they are also competent out on the open road and have enough urge to keep up with normal speeds on the motorway.

There are three engines to choose from, 60bhp 1.0-litre and 85bhp 1.2 petrols, plus a 74bhp 1.3-litre diesel.

The 1.2 and 1.3 diesel have about the same performance but although the 1.0-litre is slower, it emits less carbon dioxide and therefore has lower road tax.

The ride is rather firm which can spoil comfort levels over rougher roads butparking and low-speed manoeuvres are very easy thanks to the short length and tight turning circle.

All come with a slick-changing five-speed gearbox, but the petrol is available with a four speed automatic, although it is more thirsty.

The Splash was designed and built alongside the Vauxhall Agila but it comes much better equipped, and is cheaper secondhand, making it a much better bargain.

Air con, split-folding rear seats, an MP3-compatible CD stereo and a leather-covered steering wheel are all part of the package, together with audio remote controls, electric mirrors, front electric windows and remote locking.