Citroen Saxo VTS Review

Overall Rating

First of all, it's French, it's ugly, it's a 106 in drag, and it's unreliable. It's engine is terrible (it can't match a VTEC) and it doesn't handle properly. It looks like it's worth £1.50 when it's modded. It can't do 0-60 in 3 secs and if it can, the engine will last about as long as the residual value. It makes you look like a wanna be boy racer who doesn't know as much about cars as he'd have you believe. If your feet are bigger than size 7, you can't drive this car because the peddles are far too close together. It's bad unless you are a girl who isn't bothered that underneath that "chic" exterior lies an unsophisticated chassis set up and a dire driving position that rivals budget airlines for comfort.

I beg you. Don't buy a Citroen Saxo VTS. Get a CRX SiR instead and save your dignity and respect. Plus girls like it a lot more than a tarted up, French shopping trolley with a chassis set up by neanderthals with a bias towards under steer. Verdict: Smells of garlic and lots of visits to the dealer. Steer clear. Unless you have one, in which case you'll be steering into a tree.

Members' Comments onDr Gonzo's Review

• jpppartridge on 15th Mar 2007

  Dr Gonzo, as a proud VTS owner I feel inclined to stick up for this cracking little car - we wouldn't want people getting the wrong idea about it!
  Comparing the VTS and the Civic/CRX Vtec was very thoughtful, though obviously Japan beats France in terms of straight line speed, engine noise, interior and build quality. If however, you want a car with less than 40,000 miles on the clock for around £2000 you can forget the Japanese offerings (bar the ghastly 2 seater version, though these aren't hatchbacks anyway), including the later, more lame looking 160bhp Civics. In short, on the used car market you get more choice, and arguably better value, for your money from the Saxo VTS.
  How is the VTS ugly? Look up CRX in the dictionary and I'm sure you won't find the words "good looking" anywhere nearby! The Toyota Prius is ugly! And how can you say the VTS doesn't handle? Also, I can't help but feel you are suffering from a nasty case of Franco-phobia! French hatches really can be good - they don't have loads of power but they make the most of what they've got. I'm thinking here of the 205 GTI, the Clio Williams - while the VTS cannot claim status alongside these legends it does share many of their best attributes i.e. fun factor.
  I cannot argue with your observation regarding driving position; it isn't the greatest! But it really isn't that bad either, unless you're driving loads of miles in a single stint or hurtling round a track for prolonged periods of time. I must admit I don't find the pedals a problem, be it in trainers or work boots - any pedals take time to get accustomed to.
  To summarize, I have tried to give a fair low down on the Saxo VTS so as to help or inform any potential buyers. The VTS doesn't pretend to be something it isn't; the interior is poor, comfort is fairly lacking, just about the whole car is made of plastic - but this last point is part of the appeal! For a 1600cc the car really does go and it stops well too. The handling is akin to the 205 GTI, but minus the unforgiving lift-off oversteer. Understeer is no more of a problem than in any other FWD car. For under £2000 there are plenty of tidy examples - you are getting a cracking motor for your money.
  (N.B No disrespect: the CRX/Civic Vtec is an awesome machine - given a slightly bigger budget my choice between one of these and a Clio Williams would have been a tough one!).

• kfostervts on 11th Jun 2009

  looks like you need to see some one about this, you have issues with hate for the vts, have you owned one. I have a VTS now its my 5th car ive had 3 corsa sports, 1 golf tdi and a pug 106. all of them werent bad cars but werent the best had problems with them all even with care (warming up, servicing etc). I was a bit wiery of buying a french shopping trolley as you quoted, i just went for a test drive and had to get one because of how it drives. I still was thinking it would be in the garage allot, but the french prooved me wrong it is by far the best car ive ever owned never a problem, quite good on feul, handling is amazing around short quick corners (perfect for tracks), back end kicks out abit around a long sweeping bend but i can live with that. All these cars need is a carefull owner that isnt just going to hammer it every where (only when relevant) all the time and it will be fine.