Skoda Citigo 5d 1.0 MPI 75KM Elegance – city dweller
Apparently, 12 percent of the entire population of the Czech Republic lives in Prague, a city known for its wonderful monuments and unique atmosphere. Probably, drivers in this city, like in other (at least theoretically) large metropolitan areas, need small and smart cars. Well, such cars are not simple - they should replace the "full-size" cars, but they offer only a small body and a modest but economical engine. But enough theory, let's see if it makes sense in practice. And since I started about Prague, you can guess that I will be driving a city car straight (you know how it happens, of course) from the Czech Republic. Here is the Skoda Citigo 1.0 MPI Elegance test.
Appearance Citigo at first glance seems quite boxy. The harmony of the prototype is broken only by the front of the car, which, fortunately, has a tilted windshield. Short overhangs, large glazing on the sides and spacious doors, as it were, reinforce the impression that the body is stylized as a geometric shape. But don't worry - the proportions are just right, and accessories like eye-catching lamps or a beautifully scratched grille keep the Citigo neat. However, interspersing about the dynamics hidden in this silhouette will be the same as quoting Mickiewicz at a meeting of a fishing club - you most likely will not achieve recognition. Oversized wheels mounted on the edge of the body complete the effect and add stability, which gives confidence that the car will hold decently on the road.
What do you think about the appearance of the tested unit? I think the pea-colored body - correct me if I'm wrong - in color, adorned with dark windows and black alloy wheels, looks great. Contrasting accessories give the car a bit of aggressiveness. Evidence of how prepared this version was from the start was the many glances from passers-by and other drivers. It's nice to travel with something that doesn't cost a million zlotys and still catches the eye. However, I had the feeling that if Skoda had a different body color and more common silver alloy wheels, this would have gone unnoticed. Fortunately, the metallic paint called "Spring" and the black "Allus" are not too expensive.
An additional attraction is the panoramic roof, which looks huge from the outside. When we get into the cabin, it turns out that it is not as impressive as one might expect, and instead of a convertible substitute, we get a tiny "hatch" through which it will even be difficult to climb onto the body. But no one will go there… However, the panoramic roof costs an additional PLN 2900 – it changes the look of the car from the outside and gives a breath of fresh air inside.
Speaking about the sensations from the inside, I will say a few words about what the driver feels when he sits here for the first time. The interior hmm ... quite ascetic. The plastic is simple and hard, and the exposed areas of bare metal seem to immediately warn you: don't expect much, it should be cheap. The impression, however, wears off after a while, because it turns out that not very pleasant to the touch materials fit well, and the combination of light upholstery with dark dashboard elements and pea lacquer retains a pleasant impression, which undoubtedly makes a pleasant impression. on body monitors.
Let's go further. Everything is painfully straightforward. The clock is very legible, only the temperature indicator is missing, but this value can be read on the on-board computer display. In the center of the dashboard you will find the control panel for the radio and air conditioning. And if you are missing something when looking at this place, then your feeling is correct. The vents are located on the sides, while the "center" vents found on every second car are located behind the navigation screen. Over savings? A little. As well as the lack of a passenger window control button in the driver's door. Do you think this is too much savings? I do.
In place of the coffee cup, there is a rubber "something" with a hole. Everything indicated that the smartphone fits perfectly there. Really good decision. You yourself are probably struggling with the problem of a phone flying inside, and here you are - simple and practical. Another interesting feature is the detachable navigation screen, which also works outside the vehicle. This is rare, but there are not too many applications. So what to do with this gadget in the living room? On the other hand, taking it home certainly reduces the risk of theft. The screen itself gives access to the parameters of the car, phone, radio and NAVI. It's a pity that he refused to cooperate again and again, suggesting that the radio couldn't be turned on because there was a voice call. I will only add that I finished them 15 minutes earlier ... The situation was saved by the sound coming from the audio system. It turns out the Citigo can sound good with optional speakers.
The seats are surprisingly comfortable, although the headrests are not adjustable. The leather-wrapped steering wheel fits comfortably in your hands, and the shift lever is exactly where you'd expect it to be. The driving position is good, but not great - there is no longitudinal adjustment of the steering column. Ergonomics at a decent level. You can make friends with the Citigo's interior pretty quickly, especially since it offers plenty of room up front. Some cars in the class above will not be able to beat the little "Czech" in this category. The back is much worse. Let's be honest, Skoda, designed for 4 people, gives freedom only in the front, and children are best placed in the back seat, because for adults it will not be a very pleasant memory. Besides, kids won't play with…windows. Only tilted windows do not give a reason for joy. However, this "old school" once known especially to small-scale Fiat owners can give you a deeper breath filled with nostalgia.
What's in the trunk? It's a bit more of a hiding place for weekend shopping. 251 liters is a good result, but the use of the trunk is hampered by the high loading threshold and the unusual shape of the trunk. It is very deep, forcing a slightly different arrangement of suitcases than in comparable vehicles. When loading things here, you need to pay attention not only to the bumper, but also to bare metal sheets that are easy to scratch, especially at night. Why? The Citigo doesn't have a cargo bay light... It's my favorite in the category: "excessive savings".
But let's move on to the benefits. As for the characteristics of the small Skoda, you will especially appreciate its lightness. The curb weight is just over 850 kg, and this is really felt with every maneuver. No. You just need to touch the steering wheel for something to happen. Each handle works as if it could move on its own. The shift lever moves as smoothly as if it weren't engaged at all, and it does so precisely. The door weighs nothing, and the tailgate feels lighter than a cardboard box. This ubiquitous ease in getting to know the various elements of a small Skoda is really touching.
The Citigo has another big advantage that may not come as a surprise - the turning radius. This car can be deployed on almost any road, and occupying a parking space is fun with other drivers. Where their “big cars” won’t fit, you can squeeze in a small Skoda. We take a position in the parking lot and go to another. The city is Shichigo's kingdom, but he thrives outside of it. Yes, it jumps on transverse bumps, but it's not very annoying. And it can handle corners, as long as we remember we're in a city car, not a GTI.
Also, if we stop the right foot drive, we can leave the distributor happy. In the city, even on short and dynamically passable sections, it is difficult to exceed 7 liters per hundred. On the road, you can easily go down to the "five" and do not have to resort to eco-driving tricks. We add that the engine is devoid of unnecessary electronics, or the “supercharger” that has been ubiquitous lately, portending a more relaxed operation. The drive will also be smooth, because the 1-liter engine with 75 hp. does not give too much excitement. Torque at 95Nm is also not suitable for this. Yes, the performance is not bad - especially in the city, but nothing more. The first hundred appears on the counter after 13,4 seconds. And the maximum speed, which fluctuates around 160 km / h, does not encourage visiting highways and driving at the limit of the car's capabilities.
The unit loves high speeds, but when the tachometer needle starts to move up, a rather loud buzzing is heard from under the hood, similar to ... a lawn mower with a WRC car exhaust. Marvelous. All thanks to three cylinders. It is thanks to them that the engine has a characteristic sound and ... problems with vibration at idle. Units designed in this way are difficult to properly balance, and the German designers also failed to cope with this. Luckily, the vibrations are far from being created by a jackhammer, so I guarantee they won't draw your attention every time you launch.
Small car, small price. It should be so, but it is better to hide self-optimism and face reality. It is cheap only in the basic version with a 1.0 MPI engine with 60 hp. 35 with a “hook” is an acceptable amount for a new car. However, the verified version is different. The “amazing” Citigo in the Elegance version with additional amenities in the form of a multimedia system, an improved audio system, cruise control, heated seats or a panoramic roof is already in place - approx. – PLN 51. That's how much the version I had the pleasure of riding cost. Does the multiple options explain the price? I'm not entirely sure.
What is he, a little "Czech"? In the proven version, it combines all-round economy with extensive equipment. I have the impression that this is too much contrast, which leaves the driver with mixed feelings. But Citigo in the city shows that she can do a lot. On the outside, a few accessories make it attractive, while the updated interior is more driver-friendly. It is a pity that the Skoda in the sensible version ceases to be a cheap and good city car. Fortunately, the price does not kill its main advantage - the essence of a car of many years ago, when bare metal was not a problem, and the lightness of the body and the absence of many accessories were normal.
