| Overall Rating |
 |
| Description |
| Not recommended. Compact city car offering tough construction and a super-economical engine. But it has a cramped cabin, is dynamically unaccomplished and feels underpowered on the open road. |
| Handling |
|
| Comfort |
|
| Quality & Reliability |
 |
| Performance |
|
| Roominess |
 |
| Running Costs |
|
| Value for Money |
|
| Stereo/Sat Nav |
 |
| Best Models |
| SL 5dr is well equipped for the price |
| Worst Models |
| E 3dr. Just too basic |
| Replacement |
| 2008 |
|
| Road Test |
| Fabled reliability and one of the better aftersales packages makes the Cuore a sensible, no-frills form of personal transport. The buzzy 1.0 petrol engine has only three cylinders, and while it serves perfectly well in town it lacks the pace for confident overtaking on motorways or country roads. Ride quality is slightly lumpy over rough surfaces and the Cuore cannot muster much in the way of grip from its skinny tyres, although handling behaviour is safe enough. The narrow cabin means there is not much shoulder-room, and the quality of fit-and-finish are considerably behind more modern rivals. Limited equipment, especially on the spartan base model. Three year warranty and free servicing on all versions. |
| Positive Points |
- Reliable compact city car for not much cash
- Nimble, nippy, easy to park
- Low running costs: 50+ mpg, cheap insurance
|
| Negative Points |
- An old design with little image
- Body roll inhibits fast cornering
- Out of its depth at motorway speeds
|
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