Of all the cars lined up for judgement here, Fiat’s diminutive Panda 100HP seems most out of place. It’s the smallest and the slowest car here – both in a straight line and around the track and it falls way short in the dynamic department too. But it’s fun to drive and it’s by far the cheapest car here. In fact, at just below R130K, it should be within reach of many young employees within a few years of starting out in life – perhaps even some students. And it has a fun factor unrivalled among modern cars in its segment.

It also looks the part – in fact the only thing slightly naff about it is its size. Get past that and the sporty front grille/airdam, unique to this model, and stylish 15-inch alloys that burst out the small wheel arches give this car a stance of attitude. Squat, chunky and cheeky are words that come to mind here.

This car is all about fun factor. It proves that you don’t need to be going all that fast to really enjoy yourself behind the wheel. 0-100km/h in 11.9 seconds at altitude is not the best you’re going to get in this segment – in fact a number of small 1600 hatches better this, but there’s something about the Fiat’s little 1.4-litre 16-valve engine that just begs you to wring its neck. Perhaps it’s the smooth-shifting six-speed gearbox, unique in this segment, with its resultant short ratios, or the sweet sound emanating from its exhaust. Either way, this little Fiat is far more exciting to drive than you’d expect.

Our respect for this car was only cemented once we’d given it a blast around the track and despite rather apparent bodyroll as a result of its tall centre of gravity, the Panda proved incredibly nimble and direct. It goes where you point with little hesitation, while the steering sends you all the right messages. Being stiffly sprung, it compromises on ride quality and while not necessarily too harsh, give it a few uneven surfaces and it bounces like a pogo stick.

The Panda’s interior is functional, with all controls and the gearstick positioned high-up and within very easy reach, although the design and surface materials feel even cheaper than they should at this price point. Occupant and luggage space is also rather limited.

Yet, if you’re on a tight budget, the Fiat’s fun factor goes virtually unrivalled.