If you think you’ve seen Skoda’s city car somewhere else you probably have. The Citigo is essentially the same vehicle as VW’s Up and Seat’s Mii.

Externally there are very few differences between the three cars, with changes limited to the front bumper and grille, rear bumper, tailgate and blink-and-you’ll-miss-them changes to the tail lights.

They all share the same simple, well-proportioned styling as well as low running costs and low list price so choosing between them is as easy, or as difficult, as you want to make it.

That choice is simplified further as the only decision you’ll have you make about the engine is whether you want 59bhp or 74bhp from the three-cylinder petrol unit.

My SE L Green tec test car arrived with the higher figure and it’s a cracking little engine. It’s not quick by any measure, but then only a fool would expect it to be, it is full of verve, however, that makes negotiating urban traffic a breeze.

It’s lack of outright pace doesn’t impact on its suitability as a long-distance cruiser either. It’s remarkably quiet and refined at speed.

It’s this combination of city slicker and easy rider – or is that city rider or easy slicker – that helps the Citigo stand out from the pack.

The controls are light enough to make slipping in and out of traffic and parking a doodle and the steering is perfectly weighted so you can make the most of its agility and performance.

Visibility is excellent, the driving position is set slightly high and upright which, while hardly sporty, does afford everyone an excellent view out of the car. The more vertical positioning helps liberate a little extra leg room, and there’s ample headroom, so a six-footer can just about get comfortable in the back. It’s strict four-seater too which means no elbows in rib cages.

There’s plenty of room – and not just compared to the Citigo’s direct competition either – and there are plenty of places to store all the rubbish and other bits and pieces that we accumulate – what? That’s just me? – during ownership.

The boot is a none-too-shabby 251 litres which, with the rear seats folded, rises to 951 litres in the three-door or 959 in the five. The boot floor is flat but you’ll find yourself lifting your shopping up and over a substantial lip but Skoda do offer a variable floor which also creates a hidden compartment below.

The cabin follows the same simple principle. It’s uncluttered and functional and, while the plastics are hard, they don’t feel brittle or cheap, and it’s all undeniably well put together.

The switchgear is straight out of the VW Group parts bin so you can reliably expect everything to simply work, and keep working.

Top of the range SE L trim cars have heated seats that warm up quicker than burgers at a barbecue, leather-trimmed steering wheel, handbrake and gearknob gaiter, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, front fog lights and 14in alloys as standard.

You also get a Garmin sat nav unit that connects to a bracket that plugs into the top of the dashboard. You can connect a smartphone via Bluetooth for handsfree calls and audio streaming as well as access live services and it’s a tidy alternative to costly built-in solutions but, unfortunately, I was unable to test my unit because it spent the entire seven days I had with the car continuously trying to reboot itself.

The Citigo is excellent value, fun to drive and surprisingly spacious. The styling is a little on the plain side and, of course, my experience with the sat nav didn't impress but this is a car that delivers low running costs in a well-built, practical package.

If you're in the market for a small car it would be foolish not to take a look at the Citigo.

Citigo 3 door SE L Green tec 1,0 MPI 75 PS 5G Manual

Price: £10,465

As tested: £11,020

Engine: 1.0-litre 3-cylinder petrol

Transmission: 5-speed manual driving the front wheels

Max power: 74bhp

Max torque: 95Nm

Max speed: 107mph

Acceleration (0-62mph): 13.2sec

Combined: 67.3mpg

Emissions (C02): 98g/km

For more information visit www.skoda.co.uk