CITY CARS

Retro charm or strong all-rounder? Take your pick

IF you want to lease a car and spend the absolute bare minimum in the process, then right now, things don't get any cheaper than the Fiat 500. For £166 per month and a £1,491 up-front payment, you could get a 500 on a four-year lease deal.

The 500 is getting long in the tooth these days - this isn't the all-electric version, but its combustion-powered predecessor - yet its retro looks and subtle changes back in 2016, plus new mild-hybrid powertrain options in 2022, have kept the Fiat relevant even into its 17th year of production.

What you're getting for very little money is a car whose compact size is perfect for urban environments. At barely 3.6 metres long, it has held on to the appeal of the iconic 500 by being more compact than the competition on the outside, which makes it incredibly easy to drive in tight spots. It also has styling that echoes the original 500 both inside and out to give it a charm that is hard to find for twice the price.

It's not even as if you'll need to scrimp on kit. Seven airbags, a seven-inch digital driver's display and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system are standard on the Dolcevita trim linked to that £166-per-month outlay, as are part-leather seats. Under the bonnet, there's a three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine that gets mild-hybrid assistance to help save fuel and cut emissions.

With 69bhp, performance is adequate rather than thrilling, but attributes such as light steering and agile handling make the 500 incredibly easy to drive at low speeds. On the downside, the ride can be a touch bouncy, and there's a bit more body roll through the turns than in some rivals, but it's hard to complain for the money.