Road test - Mitsubishi i

Road test: Mitsubishi i

It might look like a Smart and share the same engine, but is the Mitsubishi i a better proposition than its German rival? We find out...

Price: �9,084 (without options)
On sale: Now
0-62mph: 14.9 seconds; top speed 84mph
Average fuel: 54.6 mpg
Standard equipment : Climate control, front and rear electric windows, electric/folding door mirrors, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver's seat, an in-dash CD player with four-speakers and remote central locking.

Tiscali verdict: Quirky, spacious alternative to a Smart Fourtwo. But, there's no manual option, the standard-fit stereo is poor and its odd looks might not appeal to some. 7/10

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you, this is not a four-door version of the Smart. It is, in fact a Mitsubishi i built in Japan. But, the i bears more than just a passing resemblance to the popular French-built, German-owned city car. The i shares the same mid-engined layout and its engine powers both the Smart and i. Part of a historical deal that's now-defunct, the i was to have been based on the Fortwo underpinnings and spawn a Smart-badged sister model, but Mitsubishi went out on its own. And, as a result they share just the 660cc engine. The Smart link-up isn't the end of the story though. The i's a car designed to meet the best-selling Japanese 'K-class'sector in Japan. Like the Daihatsu Copen tested recently, to meet K criteria, the i is 3,395mm long and 1,475mm wide.

Mitsubishi is offering just one model in the UK, priced at just over �9,000. It's well-equipped too. The i includes essential standard equipment such as climate control, electric front and rear windows and alloy wheels. The i feels well-made and robust. But there's some cheap-looking plastics, the red seat trim looked like it was finished in a nylon-like fabric and I was worried how the brittle-feeling interior door handles would stand up to wear and tear. On the plus side, it all looks suitably modern and attractive.

The i is powered by a 660cc, three-cylinder engine, producing 57bhp, mated with a four-speed automatic transmission. It's no hot hatch, but performance could best be described as gutsy, with 62mph coming up in 14.9 seconds. The four-speed automatic box is not offered with a sequential shift facility as it is in the Smart, but in use, the i is quick to up and downshift. The three-pot engine in the i sounds energetic and responds well - it's all too easy to find your way to the rev limiter! But, then again this isn't really the point of the i.

With a combined fuel economy figure of 54.6 mpg, the i will be cheap to run, but you might struggle to match this figure if you're a keener driver with a heavy right foot. Crucially, Carbon Dioxide emissions are 114g/km which put the i into band B for tax. If Ken gets his way, would mean that the i would be exempt from the �8 charge.

The Mitsubishi i might not be quickest model in the range, but its aluminium spaceframe structure is strong, with driver and passenger airbags fitted as standard. The I conforms to Japanese and European safety standards for passengers, but side airbags and stability control would be more confidence inspiring in such a tall, upright car like the i.

Check out the video Take a look at our video road test of the MINI One.

So what's it like to drive then? Good fun. Though it's probably most at home on city streets where its narrow width, tight turning circle and auto gearbox will be best suited. It's fine out of town and country roads too. There's a fair bit of body roll but its body control is very good and the grip is good despite the 15" front wheels. However, be wary of crosswinds. The height of the i could leave you feeling more vulnerable in high winds.

To sum up: The Mitsubishi i might not be the cheapest and its quirky looks will not appeal to all, but it's fun to drive and well-equipped.

Fancy a closer look? Check out our Mitsubishi i gallery

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