Nissan Pixo 1.0 Visia 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The Pixo's 1.0 litre 3-cylinder 12v petrol engine delivers 67bhp and 66 lb-ft of torque. This translates to a top speed of 96 mph, and a 0-62 mph time of 14.0 seconds.

This means the Pixo is quite nippy around town and, while it is capable of motorway driving, the laboured acceleration means that it feels out of its depth. There is the option of a four speed automatic gearbox as an alternative to the standard five speed manual, meaning the car caters to all drivers.

The car makes life easy around town, its small dimensions and tight turning circle mean manoeuvring is simple and this is a clear benefit. The steering could be lighter at parking speeds though and the car does experience some difficulty on faster roads as body lean is prominent and the ride can become very bumpy.

The Pixo is reasonably refined at low speed but when pushed the engine noise can become a problem. Wind and road noise are also noticeable at cruising speeds too and this makes the cabin a fairly noisy place to be.

The dashboard is simple and easy to navigate. The steering wheel alters for rake but not reach and there is no adjustment for the height of the driver's seat which may be a problem for some drivers.

The Pixo’s exterior is plain and it is easy to see why this model comes with such an attractive price tag when you sit inside. The materials used inside the cabin are sturdy enough, but the plastics look cheap, with hard edges and exposed screw heads ruining the overall appearance.

In terms of in-car kit, this model comes equipped with a CD player, power steering and four cup holders as standard. Alloy wheels, rear-parking sensors and a metallic paint finish on the exterior all incur additional costs.

With only four seats, the Pixo 1.0 Visia offers adequate space for this number of passengers providing they are not very tall. Rear headroom is tight and legroom is also in short supply which can make longer journeys uncomfortable.

The boot is tiny, offering just 129 litres of space with the seats in position. This can be increased to 367 litres when the seats are folded down but this is still unimpressive. Only the top of the range N-Tec has split-folding rear seats to allow more room for luggage, although the load area is sloped which can pose another problem for owners.

The Pixo 1.0 Visia is short on safety equipment with driver and passenger airbags and ISOFIX child-seat mounting points the only kit fitted as standard.

The Pixo is built by Suzuki on behalf of Nissan but both brands have a good reputation for reliability and this means the model is not expected to give owners many difficulties. However, the car does come with a three-year warranty for 60,000 miles to provide additional assurance to buyers.

The Pixo 1.0 Visia has a tempting price tag of just £6,995 for this entry-level model, making it the cheapest car on the UK market. However the lack of standard equipment and safety features is the price you pay for buying such a cheap car.

The Pixo has extremely low running costs and comes under the low-cost road tax band B thanks to carbon emissions of just 103g/km. Insurance premiums should be low under insurance bracket 2 and a combined fuel economy of 64.2mpg means that the Pixo will cost a pittence to run.

Fuel economy and reliability are the Pixo’s true strengths and the car’s green credentials are amongst the best in its class. If you prepared to forgo a few luxuries, the Pixio is a good prospect for those looking for an affordable, economical hatchback for city use but those after more creature comforts may want to consider upgrading to a different trim or even a rival model.