Skoda Citigo (2012 – 2019) Review

Skoda Citigo (2012 – 2019) At A Glance

4/5
Honest John Overall Rating
The Skoda Citigo offers brilliantly executed affordable motoring, proving fun to drive, surprisingly practical and very easy to live with.

+Ideal for town or motorway driving, and economical on fuel. Fun to drive and great value.

-Rear seat access is limited in the three-door version. Ride comfort on bumpier roads.

Insurance Groups are between 1–4
On average it achieves 87% of the official MPG figure

Skoda cannily borrowed almost all of the Volkswagen Up to create its own Skoda Citigo model. As the name suggests, it’s a car intended primarily for urban use, but the Skoda can tackle faster roads with confidence. It’s also appealingly low-cost to run, giving the Hyundai i10, the ever-popular Fiat 500 and distinctive Toyota Aygo a hard time. Read on for our full Skoda Citigo review.

The Skoda Citigo may be a small car, but it has big talents as a used buy. It’s easy to drive and park, surprisingly practical and well put together, plus it’s cheap to buy and run.

The Skoda Citigo costs a little less than its near identical Volkswagen Up and SEAT Mii stablemates, so if you’re seeking the best value for money it’s a great choice of city car.

All versions of the Skoda Citigo use an economical 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, with either 60PS or 75PS.

In real-world driving, there’s very little between the two, especially around town where the Skoda Citigo is most at home. For those who spend a lot of time on the motorway, the higher-powered version is a better choice.

It’s great fun to drive despite having very little outright power – the ‘wheel in each corner’ design makes it nimble, agile and easy to thread through gaps in tight urban traffic jams.

Even out of town, it’s enjoyable on a twisting road, but the suspension shows its lack of sophistication over broken surfaces, where the ride can become noisy.

Despite the Skoda Citigo’s small size, it is surprisingly spacious. From the driver’s seat, the car feels a little on the narrow side, but headroom is excellent and it’s easy to get comfortable.

The back row is tight, but it’s fine for short journeys or for children, plus there are Isofix points for child seats. Both three- and five-door versions are available and the latter has wide-opening rear doors.

There’s plenty of equipment on offer, including an easy-to-use navigation system on upper trim grades, but those who go for an entry-level S model will do without a few key creature comforts including electric windows and electric door mirrors.

Numerous extras packs offered features such as a panoramic glass roof, cruise control and parking sensors. 

Looking for a second opinion? Read heycar’s Skoda Citigo review.

Ask Honest John

What is a good car for a new driver?

"We've promised our granddaughter a car for her 17th birthday, including insurance, total budget about £8000. She has not yet passed her test, and is not a racy driver ( pleased to say ), but she is popular and will no doubt end up ferrying friends around once she's passed her test. Have you any suggestions as to an appropriate car, and things to look out for, please?"
For a new driver a low insurance group is vital, so we would suggest cars such as the Ford Ka+, Kia Picanto, SEAT Mii, Skoda Citigo or Toyota Aygo, all of which are among the cheapest cars to insure. A large proportion of the budget will be taken up with insurance so it is sensible to factor this in when looking at purchasing a car. We would also recommend looking for a car with a full service history whenever possible.
Answered by David Ross

What would be a good first car for a new driver?

"Can you suggest make and model for a first car for a newly qualified 18 year old driver? Low cost please, including insurance (say less than £5k)."
For a new driver a low insurance group is vital, so we would suggest cars such as the Ford Ka+, Kia Picanto, SEAT Mii, Skoda Citigo or Toyota Aygo, all of which are amongst the cheapest cars to insure. With a budget of £5000, a large proportion of that will be taken up with insurance and a used car will mean a lower premium in any case, so we would suggest this is the best option.
Answered by David Ross

Is the Skoda Citigo any good?

"Is the Skoda Citigo a good car to buy?"
We would certainly recommend the Skoda Citigo if you are looking for a small car. It is economical to run, good to drive and has a quality feel. You should also find plenty of examples to choose from. One word of caution is that there have been numerous reports of gearbox and clutch failures, and timing belts require replacement at 4 years or 40,000 miles, so look for an example that has been well cared-for and has a full dealer service history. Other options to consider are the Kia Picanto and the Hyundai i10, both of which are also excellent city cars.
Answered by David Ross

When does my car need a full service?

"How often should you get a full service? My Skoda Citigo is five years old. It had the cam belt replaced and tyres, interim service last year and I do very low mileage (26,500 miles). "
The car needs a full service every 12 months. The basic interim service package is designed for high-mileage vehicles that require maintenance checks and an oil change every six months.
Answered by Dan Powell
More Questions

What does a Skoda Citigo (2012 – 2019) cost?