Review of the new Vauxhall Agila ecoFLEX

Don't be fooled by the ecoFLEX branding on certain Vauxhall Agila models. There are no efficiency modifications made to the cars. Fortunately, that doesn't matter one jot as the Agila is green enough to gain entry to the ecoFLEX club unmolested and remains a cohesive and enjoyable small car product. Good to drive, solidly built and roomy, it's let down a little by engine noise and an expensive diesel option.

The ecoFLEX brand is applied to Vauxhall's most fuel efficient and clean vehicles. In the majority of cases, cars carrying the ecoFLEX name have been altered for greater efficiency through the inclusion of low rolling resistance tyres, longer gear ratios, engine management revisions or some aerodynamic trickery. The exception is the little Agila ecoFLEX. Vauxhall's city car gains entry to the environmentally-friendly club without so much as a Greenpeace sticker.

It wasn't always the case but today, fuel economy and emissions play a key role in the vast majority of car buying decisions. As green issues began to take hold of our motoring consciousness, the manufacturers needed to act quickly in order to capitalise. They couldn't very well dispatch a team of engineers to develop new hybrid powertrains or fuel cell vehicles as the development cycle for such technology is years, if not decades. They had to work with what they had.

The answer that most of the leading brands arrived at was to modify existing vehicles for greater efficiency, establishing a new green brand in the process to point customers in the right direction. Vauxhall's ecoFLEX models were amongst the first on the scene, using relatively simple tweaks to boost economy and reduce emissions. The Agila ecoFLEX is the entry-point to the ecoFLEX family but it has none of the modifications seen on its bigger brothers. The Agila was deemed green enough already.

"Vauxhall's city car gains entry to the environmentally-friendly club without so much as a Greenpeace sticker.."

Two of the Agila's engine options qualify for ecoFLEX status. The first is the entry-level 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine with its modest 64bhp output. The second is the always impressive 1.3-litre CDTi diesel which has 74bhp and more than twice as much torque, produced far lower in the rev range. It might be tempting for customers to feel short-changed by the lack of modifications made to the Agila in order for it to gain ecoFLEX status but the skinny tyres, longer gearing and engine remaps applied to other green specials don't do a lot for the driving experience. That's especially true in city cars which do a lot of stop/start urban driving at low speeds. Unmolested by such eco-tweakery, the Agila remains a fun car to drive.

The 1.0-litre engine can run out of steam when shown a steep incline or asked to take to the motorway network but it's fine in the urban sprawl. The diesel is more of an all-rounder, with a punchy low end that makes it feel faster than the 13.3-second 0-60mph time suggests. The five-speed gearbox is pleasant to use with its robust, positive action and the steering has a reassuring weight to it. Parking couldn't be much simpler with good visibility and the flat rear helping you cosy-up to obstacles with confidence. The tall shape of the Agila means it leans more than some city cars in corners but not too much and there's plenty of grip at the front wheels.

The Agila is built for Vauxhall by Suzuki which has the almost identical Splash model on its books. The car's tall shape is disguised well by a foursquare stance with the wheels pushed right out to the extremities of the vehicle and a relatively high waistline. The rear seat backs can also be folded down to create a totally flat load floor, serving up a total of 1,150 litres of available space, which is amongst the best of any city car. The hip point for the front seat has been deliberately set high to make getting in and out of the car easy, offering a commanding view of the road and taking advantage of that high roofline.

The interior design definitely feels more Suzuki than Vauxhall and this is no bad thing with the Japanese manufacturer having built a strong reputation for the simplicity and strength of its cabins. The controls couldn't really be more straightforward and build quality is well up to snuff for a city car, even if some of the trim is a little below par. There's plenty of storage space and the pod rev-counter on top of the dash is a nice touch.

Both Club and Design trim levels are offered with the Agila ecoFLEX. The Club variant has the basics but little else, with remote central locking, a CD stereo, front fog lights, the 60/40 split rear seat, electric front windows and electric heated door mirrors. If you want air-conditioning, you'll need to pay for it or get a Design model which also adds 15" alloy wheels, tinted glass and a leather steering wheel. Safety kit includes front and side airbags, ABS and EBA brake assist.

Pricing is an issue with the Agila ecoFLEX. The 1.0-litre engine will be underpowered for some tastes but the 1.3-litre CDTi comes at a hefty £2,700 premium. The standard Agila range has a 1.2-litre petrol engine to fill the void but it doesn't qualify for ecoFLEX status. Considering the absence of any modifications on the ecoFLEX cars, the 1.2 is an option that might be worth considering. The Agila has plenty of rivals including city cars and the smallest MPV models but its blend of qualities from the two sectors sets it apart.

A glance at the economy and emissions figures goes some way to explain why Vauxhall left the Agila untouched in ecoFLEX form. The 1.0-litre engine returns 56.5mpg on the combined cycle with emissions of 119g/km. Go for the more expensive diesel and economy rises to 62.8mpg with emissions of 120g/km. The petrol model falls into insurance group 2 with the diesel in group 4. This is going to be a very cheap car to run.

The presence of ecoFLEX badging on a Vauxhall would usually suggest some work has been done beneath the skin to enhance its green credentials. With the Agila ecoFLEX, it's a different story, Vauxhall having decided to leave well enough alone. Without longer gearing, engine re-maps or fancy tyres, the Agila ecoFLEX is like any other Agila, one of the leading small cars currently on sale and impressively cheap to get about in.

The 1.0-litre petrol engine can feel overworked, the diesel engine looks pricey and both can get noisy when pressed hard but on balance, we'd take the 1.0-litre for its all-round low costs. Elsewhere, the Agila is well built and thoughtfully designed with a rewarding driving experience thanks to the solid feel and well-weighted controls. ecoFLEX or not, the little Vauxhall has plenty gong for it.