Our intrepid motoring journo took the new Citroën C3 for a test drive recently.

Performance 4 out of 5 stars
The petrol line-up starts with a weedy 1.1-litre unit, then there's a couple of zippier 1.4s that are shared with BMW. In fact, the more powerful of these is so strong that it makes the 1.6 petrol seem redundant. Citroen also offers three smooth diesels – a 67bhp 1.4 and 1.6s with 89- and 110bhp.

Ride & Handling 3 out of 5 stars
The C3 has clearly been set up to provide an easy life, riding potholes well (although the ones in Johannesburg could prove to be quite the challenge) and staying nicely settled and controlled on the highway. Unfortunately, it's not a great handler because the body lurches around through bends and the front tyres run out of grip quite early. The steering and gearshift are vague, too.

Refinement 4 out of 5 stars
Generally, the C3 is impressively refined, and even on the highway there's not much wind- or road noise. True, both the petrol and diesel engines can be heard, but that's as much down to the absence of other sounds as to these engines being especially raucous.

Buying & Owning 4 out of 5 stars
The C3 is priced closer to the Polo than the more expensive Fiesta. Engines are reasonably economical, but resale values won't worry the best in the class.

Quality & Reliability 4 out of 5 stars
Citroen has never been famed for the quality of its interiors. Climb inside the C3, though, and you may well wonder why. The stylish dashboard is well put together and finished with glossy, polished panels. Only the cheap-looking glovebox lid lets the side down a little. Citroen's dealers are also improving.

Safety & Security 4 out of 5 stars
Citroen claims five-star crash safety, yet the C3 was awarded just four stars by Euro NCAP. Why? It loses a star because stability control isn't standard across the range - a bad move in our book. It's only available on the top-spec 110bhp 1.6 diesel. Entry-level VT cars miss out on curtain airbags, too, but they're standard across the rest of the range and security kit is competitive.

Behind The Wheel 4 out of 5 stars
The highlight of the C3 is its 'Zenith' windscreen (fitted to VTR+ models and above), which extends back above the driver's head. It's a nice feature, although many buyers are likely to leave the sunblinds covering the extended section down on bright days. The dashboard is smart and clear, avoiding any other gimmicks, but the seats don't offer enough support and the rest for your clutch foot is positioned too high.

Space & Practicality 3 out of 5 stars
If a decent-sized boot is key to your requirements, the C3's 300-litre load space will be of huge appeal. It's just a pity the rear seats don't fold down completely flat. Of more concern is the rear space – plenty of other superminis are better. Adults will be cramped and it might be tricky to fit a little one in a child seat.

Equipment 4 out of 5 stars
Entry-level VT cars have electric front windows and a CD player, but we'd upgrade to the VTR+ spec, which adds air-con, cruise control and alloy wheels. The lower-powered 1.6 diesel is also available in a special Airdream+ trim, which swaps alloys for rear parking sensors and Bluetooth. It also cuts CO2 emissions to just 99g/km. Range-topping Exclusive cars bring climate control, rear electric windows and interior mood lighting.

IN A NUTSHELL
For: The Citroen C3 has the style that supermini buyers want and the quality they've come to expect. It's also big on refinement and ride comfort, and has a decent-sized boot.

Against: The steering and body control are poor and it's not as spacious in the back as many rivals. It gets a four-star Euro NCAP crash test rating for safety because only one model has stability control.

Our Queer Verdict: 4 out of 5 stars
The C3's a super-stylish supermini that feels as plush as it looks – with a comfortable ride, too. The wrap-over windscreen is a novel selling point, but sloppy handling and tight rear space stop it beating the best in class.