Vauxhall ADAM Glam 1.2i 16v 3dr Car Review - May 2013

The ADAM is a small car that is mainly designed for city driving, and this is reflected in the performance of the 1.2 litre engine, with only 69bhp produced by the small engine. This is enough to deliver acceleration from 0-62mph in a rather stately 14.9 seconds, and the top speed of 102mph also helps to indicate that this is a car most comfortable in an urban setting. The light steering of the ADAM is another sign of this, as it is fine whilst driving around town, and is very good for parking, but it does mean that it can be a little jerky while driving at higher speeds.

Getting comfortable in the driver's seat is easy with plenty of adjustment, and while the bold design of the dashboard may not be to everyone's taste it does display everything clearly, while the centre console is also very user friendly. Visibility to the front and side is good, but the pillars at the back of the car do restrict visibility over the shoulder.

The plentiful options for customisation means that one ADAM can look very different to another in terms of the decorative features, but the stylish car underneath the decorations is still very attractive. The gaping grille at the front of the car along with the rounded headlights give the car a front end with the appearance of a smile, while the curves flow nicely into the tail end which enjoys a large spoiler and a large, bulging rear bumper. The model is also supplied with alloy wheels, which really do help to complete the stylish look of the vehicle.

There is plenty of equipment included as standard with this model, and the panoramic sunroof is certainly a very nice feature in such a competitively priced car. Bluetooth connectivity is also a good feature in a car that is designed to appeal to younger drivers, while it also enjoys climate control and cruise control, which does help to make it a little more civil on the motorway.

When it comes to being a small city car, there is no doubt that the ADAM does quite well, with a compact body that is ideal for parking and getting around town, however it isn't particularly generous on space. Those in the front seats won't have a problem, but any adults getting into the back of the car may find that headroom and legroom is quite limited, while the boot is of a typically small size for this type of car.

So far the ADAM hasn't been submitted for the Euro NCAP standard tests, but it is supplied with a good level of safety equipment, with six air bags, stability control, hill start assist and traction control all helping to keep the occupants safe. The engines in the ADAM are tried and tested, so reliability should be very good.

The style and youthful appeal of the car does come at a cost, and the list price of £12,650 does put it well above other competitive city cars such as the Toyota Aygo. The 1.2 litre engine does mean that the car can offer reasonable fuel efficiency delivering an average 53.3mpg, while the low insurance cost will certainly be a very attractive feature to the younger drivers the car is designed to appeal to.

One of the best features of the Vauxhall ADAM is the reassurance that it comes with excellent warranty, which is ninety nine thousand miles or ninety nine years, while it also comes with a one year roadside breakdown assistance policy. Small cars do tend to hold their value quite well, but too many garish options while buying the car could significantly impact the resale price.