Dull but worthy aren't words that sit comfortably with motor manufacturers. Especially when one of your models has been condemned as one of the ugliest on the road, drawing comparisons with Postman Pat's van.

No, something had to change with the Vauxhall Agila – the car beloved of a certain type of driver who likes pipe and slippers and may even drive while using both, for all we know.

Anyway, it's no good me smirking. Our family had one for a couple of years and loved it. Unfortunately the run-out-of-puff 1.0-litre, three-cylinder model, but there you go.

But no-one wants to be classed in the cardigan brigade. And that's why the new Agila comes as such a relief to drivers who want to stay loyal to Vauxhall and can now buy a high-roofed monocab that's a bit more savvy in the city.

New Agila is everything its predecessor wasn't – strident, assertive, brash, with a little bit of attitude. A Renault-like, turret-like rear end. Massive, eye-bulging front headlamps. And some of the zingiest colours inside and out that you'll find anywhere on the road.

Vauxhall, hedging their bets, aim to cater for all tastes, especially when it comes to interiors. So owners can choose a plain interior or one that can instantly bring on a migraine as soon as you open the door.

Vauxhall flattered me age-wise by selecting an Agila to test with an inside like an explosion in a Jaffa factory – orange everywhere from seats to dashboard and door inserts. The Dalai Lama would love it. Actually, so did I, once I got over the shock, and most other people who viewed it also gave the thumbs up.

Mostly, the cockpit is OK. Interior plastics are hard and rather unwelcoming but at least they look like they're built to last. The dashboard is all user-friendly and the big speedo has 30mph and 70mpg flagged up in red – that's smart thinking.

I also like the way Vauxhall have shifted the gear lever high up near the wheel – now it grows out of the console very handily and a snappy, five-speed gearbox is a wristy delight, even if the clutch can be wearingly heavy.

But the off-the-wall rev counter standing atop the dashboard is a sad case of form over function – style for the sake of it but totally pointless otherwise. It's in your face and in the way.

With huge headroom, a commanding seating position, acceptable legroom and panoramic views, the Agila is a pleasantly airy motor to travel in, with a firm but decent ride.

There isn't a lot of main boot space with all the seats in use but Vauxhall neatly sidesteps the problem by providing a rear seat that slides forward to create maximum room when needed. A flat load area is quite generous, though rear seats don't fully tumble but merely fold.

The Agila 1.3 CDTi I road tested is going to be a popular choice with drivers determined to squeeze every last yard from a gallon of precious fuel while feeling good about emissions.

The excellent, economical turbo diesel smooths out nicely on the move and gives a far more measured and petrol-like performance than, say, the VW Polo 1.4 diesel I tested recently for everyday driving.

The Agila's has more natural engine braking and 'feel', with smooth clutch control during bumper-to-bumper urban crawls and big power reserves on a long run, where it sits comfortably at motorway speeds.

I was surprised the test model only had wind-up rear windows, no air-con and a rather weedy rear wiper that can't clear all the rear screen 100 per cent efficiently.

But as a closet Agila fan of the past, I'm 'coming out' now and declaring an interest. I may even buy one – but I'm still undecided on that orange interior - surely dark grey would match my cardigan better…

At a glance:

• Vauxhall Agila 1.3 CDTi (£10,495).


• Vauxhall's new city car offers funky good looks and huge practicality.


• Five doors, five seats, 1,050 litres of luggage space.


• Low emissions and running costs.


• Diesel and automatic options for the first time.


• Aimed at youthful buyers and independent females in particular, although not exclusively, new Agila competes directly with such cars as the Fiat Panda, Renault Modus, Honda Jazz and Suzuki Splash.


• Three models, three engines, prices from £7,595-£11,195.


• The introduction of a diesel engine to the Agila range for the first time also means fuel consumption figures as high as 70.6 mpg on the extra-urban cycle (62.8mpg combined, 51.4mpg urban) for the 1.3-litre CDTi model.


• Chunky door pockets big enough to stow road atlases and one-litre drink bottles, lift-up compartment on top of dashboard with room to stow CD cases and spare change, good-sized glove compartment, sunglasses holder, front seat back pockets and a pair of funky shopping bag hooks in the boot – ideal if you want to keep bottles or breakables upright.