If any nation knows how to build great small cars, it’s the Japanese. They can shrink cars as well as they can shrink houses, televisions, laptops and portable karaoke machines with fold-out flashing dance mats. So it’s no surprise the Mitsubishi i made a big impact for a small car when launched in Britain in July 2007.

Powered by a turbocharged 660cc petrol engine (there’s no other choice), it’s fun yet frugal, returning 52mpg and 114g/km of CO2. It can dart through gaps in traffic and park in tiny spaces.

The i-cing on the cake (sorry) is the price today: less than £6,000 for a car with just 10,000 miles under its wheels.

It was designed to satisfy the stringent rules on body size and engine power that govern Japan’s kei class of city-friendly vehicles.

Priced at £8,999 when new, the car brought five-door practicality, an automatic gearbox, air-conditioning, electric windows, remote central locking and a CD player.

The diminutive i is something of a Tardis. Its design pushes the wheels into the corners and places the engine just in front of the rear axle, freeing up as much space as possible. With negligible overhangs, a high seating position and large windows, the i makes a good city car with a tight turning circle.

The use of an aluminium frame makes it light — 900kg, which is nearly 200kg less than a Volkswagen Polo — something that helps the engine perform in a sprightly fashion and maximises fuel economy. The pipsqueak machine feels eager at city speeds, and on the motorway it’s able to reach 84mph — even if noise acts as a natural speed limiter from about 70mph.

Surprisingly, the car’s ride comfort is better than that of many similarly sized superminis, and the i tackles speed bumps with comparative ease.

The model was discontinued last December, but there’s a good selection of 2007 and 2008 models for sale, all with low mileage. Mitsubishi is releasing an electrically powered version, called the i-MiEV, next year, but it will cost £23,990. If it came to a choice between fossil fuel and electric, I know which i my money would be spent on.

Reliability and servicing

This is a car that was sold for only two years in the UK, yet owners report impressive reliability. It remains to be seen how the small engine will cope with high mileages. A service is needed every 6,000 miles, which is more frequently than in most modern cars. A full service history is your only way of checking this has been adhered to. The car’s light weight means brake and tyre wear should be modest, but be warned that the front discs and pads are expensive, and the rear drums could seize up if the car stands idle for long periods of time.

Residual values

When new, the i was competitively priced in the showroom. Now, with supply limited by the model’s demise, used values are strong. The i is a fair investment, especially when running costs are as diminutive as the car.

Need to know

Boot: At 246 litres, surprisingly large. Split, folding rear seats add to practicality
Climate control: Standard on all cars. Check the air-conditioning is fully functional
Dashboard: Plastic materials feel cheap but have proved durable
Gearbox: No manual transmission available, but auto works well with the small turbocharged engine
Safety: No Euro NCAP test results but car benefits from twin airbags, antilock brakes and twin Isofix child-seat mounts in rear
Wheels: Lightweight alloys are standard. Check for kerbing or stress damage from potholes and speed bumps
Wiper: Large single wiper does not detract from great visibility




 

The one to buy

Mitsubishi i, registered 2008 08, with 10,000 miles
Price Pay £6,625 at a dealer or £5,900 privately

Or for similar money

Vauxhall Agila 1.0 Club 2008 08
Citroën C1 1.0i VTR 2009 58

Figures based on CAP August 2010 edition

 © Bumper Media Limited August 2010