1999 Mazda Demio review from UK and Ireland

We have only had the car for one month so unsurprisingly it has been trouble free.

Hopefully the Mazda reliability (Mazda has just won the WhatCar reliability test 2001) will make the Demio a trouble free car.

The ride quality of the car is rather firm, most bumps are felt, however on the motorway it is extremely refined and the engine is almost silent.

Inside the interior is taupe, which isn't bad for a Japanese car. The dashboard and fascia are solid and totally sturdy, whereas a Mercedes A160 that we hired had a loose and non-sturdy dash. There is little storage space inside though.

Excellent equipment, 4x electric windows and a huge electric sunroof are standard as are

14-inch alloys and central locking.

Good looking and very rare, our model has the nudge bar and the angular black bumpers which make it look like a mini 4x4.

The handling is good given the tall shape, the low profile tyres grip the road more than acceptably. Steering is light, but sometimes a little too light and vague for the keen driver, however obviously the Demio is not a sports car, so it does its job well.

Mazda accessories vary. Locking wheel nuts we bought because of the concern over the alloys being stolen. One dealer quoted £19, the other £28, we got them for £25 from a shop next door!

Overall I really like the Demio, it is neat, rare, nippy and generally a lot better than people such as WhatCar? say. Then again, the Demio is not a German BMW, so it is bound to be rated low.

Highly recommended, give it a try, you will not be disappointed. the 1998/S- 2000/W model with a nudge bar looks more sporty and eye-catching.