17/07/09

• Price9995
• We like...Space, toughness, low price
• We don't...Just too slow

It's a small van that makes like a car: cheap, cheerful and tough. But what's this handy little package like to live with?We like the idea of cars that start out as vans. There’s something honest and no-nonsense about them and they do represent stonking value. Especially in this case where, at the time of writing, you can get one of these and see change from £10,000.

For that you get a small van with windows. It’s basic enough to have rubber flooring under its passengers’ feet though, bizarrely, the boot is carpeted. You get a huge tailgate opening on to a boot large enough to swallow three big suitcases or a pair of big, muddy dogs. Inside, the cabin is tall-roofed and feels airy, thanks to its big windows. Twin sliding doors make entry and exit to the rear bench easy and there are five seats aboard, each packing more than ample head- and leg-room. Double-roll the rear seats forward, hide the parcel shelf behind them and you’ve, well...a small van.

The doors and dash are covered in plastic, although there are fabric panels on the front arm-rests and the seats are trimmed in tough, cheery-looking cloth. There’s just one trim level, and remote locking, four airbags, electric front window and a trip computer come as standard. Air conditioning costs extra.

You sit more upright and higher than you would in a regular car and the view out from the big front screen is clear. Visibility for reverse parking is helped by its huge door mirrors but there’s still a biggish blind spot to make edging out of a supermarket parking slot a chancy process. If that’s an issue, you can pay extra for rear sensor-beepers.

Otherwise, it’s an easy drive thanks to light steering and a slick, high-set gear shifter. With just the driver aboard the ride is pattery and it’ll crash across potholes, but it improves no end once the Nemo’s full of people and things.

Power comes courtesy of a 1.4 petrol engine producing 75bhp or a diesel churning out 70bhp. We tried the petrol one and, boy, it’s slow. Moving from standstill to 60mph takes a yawn-some 16.6secs and that’s only with the driver. Load it up and, for us, it’s too tardy to keep pace with other drivers on the motorway and it needs caning even in town.

And it’s not even as if good fuel economy comes as a reward. Its 'official' figure is 40.3mpg best overall. That's below par and, anyway, we couldn’t get close to that figure. Tailpipe emissions of 157g/km are disappointing, too.

Pity, really. There’s so much we liked about the Nemo, but its lack of puff is a drawback. The diesel motor will be better but choosing it will, at time of writing, add £1000 to the order price.

We've driven the Fiat Qubo, too, which is a Nemo in all but name and engine. Click below for our review. That car has a Fiat diesel motor and, while no firecracker, had sufficient in-gear shove. So, if you want one, you should try a diesel powered Nemo and a Qubo, too, then decide.

Note that the Euro NCAP results given below conform to new, tougher tests introduced in 2010

To read the motors.co.uk road test of the Fiat Qubo - and watch the video - click here

• Engines1.4 petrol
• Power75bhp
• 0-60 mph16.6secs
• Economy40.3mpg
• CO2g/km157
• Insurance groups2E
• EuroNCAP
• Airbags4
• Seats2

Motors.co.uk value verdict: