Review of the new Chevrolet Matiz 0.8 S

Chevrolet's classic urban runabout, the tiny Matiz, has been popular in the UK since the late 1990s. The latest version retains its cute looks on the outside and still maintains its Tardis-like reputation by offering plenty of room for four occupants on the inside. The entry-level S model with its 0.8-litre engine now boasts even lower emissions of 119g/km and is the version we look at here. As a result, it claims to offer value-for-money in a no-nonsense package. So, as other citycars get larger and more sophisticated, can this one still cut the mustard?

Well let's start with the improvements first. Previously, this Matiz returned emissions of 127g/km, not particularly good for a citycar with an engine smaller than 1.0-litre in size. Cutting that figure by 8g/km makes an awful lot of difference in the UK, meaning that the car now falls into the Band B road tax classification. This means a Matiz buyer will pay just £35 a year at current rates to tax their car, compared to £115 for the previous Matiz 0.8S.

What's more, should you ever venture into the centre of London (or any of the other cities shortly to feature congestion charging), then you won't have to find the usual charging fee, given the 100 per cent discount available to all vehicles with CO2 emissions of below 120g/km (subject in London's case to a £10 registration fee).

Otherwise, the second generation Matiz recipe remains as before. With this car, Chevrolet has gone back to basics. Citycar buyers, it says, aren't interested in getting a bigger car: those who want that will buy a supermini like their Aveo. Nor are they generally up for startling performance. No, what interests them is the miles per gallon figure, the overall cost of running their chosen car and the ease with which they can get around town. When this Matiz is measured against this set of criteria, it returns a pretty impressive CV.

The small engine and a range of advanced manufacturing processes have enabled Chevrolet to keep the price of this 0.8-litre S variant low at only around £6,000 on-the-road. Plus there are a number of features that will appeal to those looking for something other than a bog-standard tin box. First shown at the 2004 Paris Motor Show as the M3X Concept, this car retains many of the first generation Matiz's signature design cues. The front end is a little more mature, with bigger LED headlights and a more pronounced grille and bumper structure. The bonnet is domed high to ensure excellent pedestrian safety and the rear retains the high-mounted round lamps that featured on previous Matiz models. Overall the new styling gives the Matiz a much more upmarket look.

"For those on a budget the Matiz 0.8-litre S could represent an irresistible package"

The sides are still rather vertical with a high roofline and a wheel at each corner look that maximises internal space. Much of the expertise in building a car like this is expressed in terms of its packaging. The 'small on the outside but big on the inside' ethos is what drives many of the design decisions and Chevrolet have done a very good job with the Matiz in this particular respect. Seating four adults in comfort with excellent all round visibility was the starting point. Every other styling direction was subservient to that requirement, so unlike many other cars where the occupants are forced to conform to the car, Chevrolet have set out with the philosophy that comfort and ease of entry are priorities. At 3.5 metres long and 1.5 metres wide, the Matiz will fit easily into tighter parking spaces and will result in no grey hairs when negotiating urban width restrictions. It's also 1.5 metres high, so entry and exit is easy and there should be few problems with headroom.

The fascia is adventurously styled with centrally mounted instruments sitting atop the plane of the dashboard and key indicators residing close to the driver's line of sight. Body coloured detailing is a key theme as is metallic bright work on many surfaces. The days of cheap black and grey plastics have long gone, marking the company's confidence in product development.

The three-cylinder 0.8-litre engine in this entry level model is never going to be that exciting to drive but then most journeys will usually be short and executed in heavy traffic. Anyone contemplating driving any distance and on motorways should consider spending the additional £500 for the 1.0-litre model. The 0.8-litre Matiz will reach a top speed of 90mph but don't try and race anything away from the lights as the standing start to 62mph will take a very leisurely 18.2 seconds. Where this car really performs is at the petrol pump, delivering over 54mpg on the combined cycle. Opt for the four-speed automatic option and fuel economy is barely affected.

The citycar market has moved on since the Matiz first launched in the Nineties and customers now are expecting more refinement in their cars than they previously enjoyed. Chevrolet have recognised this and have fitted out this entry-level model pretty astutely. It features power-assisted steering, remote central locking, engine immobiliser, ABS brakes, 60/40 split folding rear seat, rear wash/wipe and a CD player. Safety has also been improved with driver and passenger airbags as well as seat belt pre-tensioners all coming as standard. The body structure of the new Matiz now uses state-of-the-art light but strong steel to improve its performance in a crash.

The Matiz 0.8-litre S is an inexpensive car to run with low servicing and insurance costs. The price includes delivery, road tax, a three year comprehensive warranty and three years' AA roadside cover, making it one of the cheapest cars to run in the UK. Certainly, for those on a budget, the Matiz 0.8-litre S could represent an irresistible package.

As other citycars have grown in size with each new model, Chevrolet have bucked the trend by keeping the latest Matiz small on the outside, yet improving the space available inside the car. This, along with its modern cute looks and practicality, should ensure that the Matiz remains one of the top selling citycars in the world.