Subaru offers only one engine - a 68bhp 1.0-litre petrol. It's happy to be revved and provides sprightly performance around town, but on the open road you'll have to pin the accelerator to the carpet and work the five-speed manual gearbox hard.

The Justy's dinky dimensions, light steering and tight turning circle make it easy to park and manoeuvre, while its cushy ride is a boon over cracked city streets. Unfortunately, it doesn't perform as well on faster roads because there's modest grip, little steering feel and lots of body roll.

The Justy is reasonably refined around town, but wind and road noise build up as your speed increases, and the engine sounds strained on the motorway. Given that you have to change gear so much, it's a shame the shift is vague and there's a lot of vibration through the lever.

The Justy is better equipped than the Daihatsu Sirion on which it's based, but it costs around £1000 more, which is a lot at this end of the market. Most running costs will be low, with it averaging a healthy 56.5mpg and owners paying just £35 per year in road tax. However, the group 5 insurance rating may prove prohibitive for younger drivers.

Subaru gives buyers the reassurance of a five-year warranty, but you should have little use for it if the Justy proves as reliable as its Daihatsu Sirion sister car. Everything in the cabin feels sturdily constructed, too, even if some of the plastics appear to have been chosen for durability rather than tactile appeal.

Front, side and curtain airbags are fitted as standard, along with anti-lock brakes linked to the latest electronic stopping aids. You don't get stability control to prevent mid-corner slides, though. It's mixed news on the security front, too, because although an alarm is fitted, there are no deadlocks to deter smash-and-grab criminals.

The Justy's dash is both stylish and user-friendly, with a clean, simple design and chunky controls. Most drivers will find it easy enough to make themselves comfortable, although things would be improved if the steering wheel adjusted for reach as well as height. Visibility is good thanks to the large glass area.

The Justy's tall body means headroom isn't an issue unless you're wearing a stetson, while clever packaging frees up enough rear kneeroom to keep a couple of six-footers happy on a long journey. The boot isn't huge, but it's well shaped, and the 60/40 split rear seats fold downwards in one easy action to leave a totally flat loadbay for larger items.

Two versions are offered, one badged ‘R’ and the other ‘Twin Cam’. Both have alloy wheels, parking sensors, remote central locking, four electric windows, air conditioning and a CD player with MP3 input. The Twin Cam is incongruously sported up with tinted rear glass, spoiler, sports exhaust, an alloy gearknob and even a decal kit (white stripes for the bonnet and sides).