If your looking for something sensible, and looking a bit different from the crowd

IF THERE'S one thing your not sort of when considering the purchase of a small car it is choice. All the major European makers want you money; compact, easy on the eye cars are everywhere, and they all offer big car refinement and ease of use. The Japanese firms aren't far behind with their offerings and, you've guessed it, refinement, ease of use and attractive styling are all up there with the predictable low C02 ratings wallet-friendly fuel economy.

All of which is good if you want something sensible. But what if you want something a little different, be it in the looks department or how a car drives. Don't get me wrong, the market is full of nice small cars but something a little left field can help make the shift downwards more bearable.

Take Subaru's Just, for example. No, don't go looking for turbochargers and four-wheel drive systems here. The Justy is not a mini Impreza. Subaru's smallest offering is, though, a frugal small car in the same vein as every other small car. And it's also fun to drive - you try saying that of the various characterless boxes currently roaming the streets.

Part of the Justy's charm is its 1.0-litre engine. With only three cylinders to its name you could say that Subaru is taking economy and weight-saving policies one cylinder too far. In fact, the engine runs absolutely fine as a three-pot motor.

There's the signature unbalanced idle when started from cold, but it soon disappears and you're left with a soothing thrum emanating from under the bonnet. And with a claimed combined economy figure of 56.5mpg and a C02 rating of 118g/km it will also be you feeling a warm glow in the wallet area.

Everything else mechanical feels and sounds just as well-oiled as the Justy's eager engine. In true Subaru fashion you get the impression that such cars have been developed by engineers and not bean counters. It might sound strange, but when the accountants are in charge, you can spot when corners have been cut.

The Just might not be the most luxurious small car on the market, but such potential disappoint is easily cancelled out by the asking price. And it's not as if you're being asked to slum it: air-con, central locking, electric windows and mirrors, rear parking sensors, split/fold rear seat and CD player are all part of the car's standard kit list.

And remember, this is a proper five-door car, albeit smaller than your usual family hatch, and boasts a surprising amount of cabin space. There's easily enough room for four adults, and you don't have to limit the rear seat occupants to the short trip to the pub to discourage them from complaining.

Complaints up front are also pretty thin on the ground. The driving experience is a pleasant one, with the Justy proving agile, willing and capable across a wide range of conditions. It might be targeted at urban motorists, but there's little in the way of compromise if you choose to take the car further a field.

While the Justy's top speed might be one mile an hour shy of the magic 100, it feels sprightly enough in the real world - something the car's acceptable zero to 62mph sprint time of 13.5 seconds can testify.

All in all it's hard not to like Subaru's little Justy. In isolation the car delivers where it counts: space, refinement, economy and standard equipment. Frankly, what more could you want from a small car? You could try fun and practicality.

How convenient, then, that the Justy is both fun and practical.

The latter attribute is evident not just in the cabin but in the boot. Small cars aren't supposed to have spacious boots but beneath this car's hatch lays enough space for more than a few shopping bags. Combine this with the car's elevated fun factor - snappy, agile, chuckable - and you soon find that the Justy isn't like other small cars. If you want your time spent behind the wheel to something other than a chore, the Justy will happily oblige.

10:27am Friday 4th July 2008

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