Name: Skoda Citigo Review
Item: Skoda Citigo
Author: Gumtree.com

Tempted by the Volkswagen Up! but not sure about the price? Not too fussed about a prestige badge, or at least not fussed enough to pay for it? The Skoda Citigo could be the car for you. Other than the name, there’s very little difference between the Up! and the Citigo (or the Seat Mii for that matter). They’re built on the same template, with the same engines and gearboxes, but the Citigo is cheaper. It’s a very handy little city car that somehow feels bigger than it actually is.

Check out the Skoda Citigo model page to learn more and explore available cars.

What we think about the Skoda Citigo

The Skoda Citigo ticks a lot of boxes and is one of the best city cars on the market.

Pros

Drives like a grown-up car

Economical running costs

Room for four people

Cons

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Not the fastest

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Limited amount of kit as standard

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Not ideal for long trips

Skoda got into the mini market a decade ago with the launch of the Citigo. It didn’t change too much until the start of 2020, when it swapped out the petrol engine for an electric motor. Trim levels start at S and go up through SE and Monte Carlo to SE-L. It’s available in five-door and three-door variants.

Driving performance of the Skoda Citigo

Our Driving Rating8 / 10

The Citigo is perfectly adapted to city living, with its petite dimensions and responsive handling helping you nip around tight streets and slide into parking spots. It also has excellent visibility, letting you keep an eye on your environment as you navigate the urban jungle. It handles itself surprisingly well on the motorway, with crosswinds bothering it less than they do other small cars.

Safety and reliability of the Skoda Citigo

Our Safety Rating7 / 10

The Citigo previously had good safety stats, having been awarded the full five stars by Euro NCAP back in 2011. However, it lost two of those stars in 2018 due to the removal of the option of autonomous emergency braking. Skoda has a very good reputation for reliability, which is all the more impressive when you consider its position as a budget manufacturer.

Under the bonnet of the Skoda Citigo

Our Engine Rating9 / 10

Pre-2020 models came with a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine delivering either 59 bhp or 74 bhp. If you’ll be staying within the city limits, the lower-powered one should do you fine, but motorway commuters will appreciate the higher-powered version. They’ll take you from 0 to 60 in 14.4 seconds and 13.2 seconds respectively, but both feel faster than this when nipping into gaps in traffic. Models from 2020 onwards have an 82 bhp electric motor, which takes 12.3 seconds for the 0 to 60 sprint but feels faster due to the instant torque it provides.

What you'll find in the Skoda Citigo

Our Design Rating7 / 10

The Citigo wasn’t designed with wow factor in mind. Its boxy profile, very similar to the Volkswagen Up! and the SEAT Mii, is intended to maximise interior space rather than turn heads. However, it is neat and well proportioned, and the front end has a cute appeal to it, with its teardrop-shaped headlights and upturned grille. In its Monte Carlo incarnation, black trim, wheels and decals add some visual excitement.

Comfort and interiors in the Skoda Citigo

Our Comfort Rating8 / 10

The layout of the cabin is simple and doesn’t attempt to match rivals such as the Toyota Aygo or Citroën C1 for funkiness. However, it’s very well put together and laid out. Higher-spec models get some classy touches with the colour infotainment screen, gloss black trim panels and chrome surrounds. It feels amazingly roomy inside given the car’s dimensions. Longer-legged passengers might find the rear seats a little cramped, but shorter occupants will enjoy the generous head and elbow room.

What features you'll find in the Skoda Citigo

Our Features Rating7 / 10

The entry-level Citigo has been made to hit a certain price point, so it’s fairly sparsely equipped. You do, however, get climate control, remote central locking and a DAB radio. Upgrade to SE-L trim and you can enjoy extras such as heated front seats, ambient lighting and 16-inch alloy wheels. This model also has Bluetooth, air-conditioning and a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear lever. Which spec you go for will depend on whether you want to undercut the Up! and the Mii on price, or match them for creature comforts.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Skoda Citigo

Our Fuel Consumption Rating9 / 10

The smaller engine returns up to 55.4 mpg on the latest WLTP test cycle, and the larger one isn’t far behind at up to 53.3 mpg. For the electric version, Skoda claims a range of 170 miles between charges, though whether you can actually achieve this will depend on the conditions. The higher-spec models benefit from fast-charging capability, allowing you to top up to 80% in an hour if you plug into a 40 kW point.

Running costs of the Skoda Citigo

Our Cost Rating8 / 10

Insurance costs for the petrol Citigos will be negligible, as they sit in groups 1 to 4. The electrics will set you back a fair bit more, in groups 11 and 12. The Citigo doesn’t hold its value quite as well as the Up!, but if you pay less for the car in the first place, you’ll end up losing less money on it.

Our verdict of the Skoda Citigo

4.5 / 5 Gumtree rating

The Citigo is one of the best small city cars you can buy, especially when you consider the price.

Skoda Citigo Review