"It does everything it's supposed to do," wrote our journo in his evaluation of this little tyke. "And the materials used in the interior are not bad. The Spark has quite a solid feel for something of this genre. It's just an abnormal amount of wind noise that fills the redesigned cockpit.

"It also isn't very quick. In fact it can barely get out of its own way."

But you get what you pay for.

Expect the specs (and price) to go up when the all-new model arrives in 2010.

CHANA BENNI 1.3 LUX FIVE-DOOR
Price: R77 900
Engine: 1300cc, 63kW, 110Nm
Top speed: 155km/h
Warranty: n/a
Fuel Consumption: 8.6 litres per 100km

Having survived the lame headlines ("Howzit my chana"), this Chinese brand looks like it's here to stay — local production may begin as early as next year. Publicity stunts — a 20 000km, 81-day overland expedition from Chongquing in China to Johannesburg; bakkies taking part in track events — have built the brand name.

As for the cars themselves, the "styled in Italy" Benni shares the copied-European look of its compatriots (alloy wheels, integrated fog lamps and colour coded bumpers are standard) but boasts a larger engine than its countrymen.

Fork out R12k more and you get power steering, rear electric windows, a driver airbag and ABS braking with EBD.

VOLKSWAGEN CITIGOLF 1.4i TENACITI FIVE-DOOR
Price: R79 700
Engine: 1400cc, 55 kW, 117 Nm
Top speed: 160km/h
Warranty: 120 000km, three years
Fuel Consumption: 7.4 litres per 100km
CO2 Emissions: 176g per km

After 25 years — and a few minor nip/tuck procedures — CitiGolf shows few signs of slowing down on the sales front. Despite the core technology dating from circa 1978, VW's eternal teenager was still one of South Africa's top five best selling cars last year.

And now, half a decade after arriving with that "red, yellow, blue, no green" advert, it finally comes with a driver airbag fitted as standard.

Still as boxy as a six-year-old's drawing of a car, though.