The Ypsilon is the supermini in Chrysler's small but widespread line-up which also includes the 300C large saloon and the Grand Voyager MPV. Mechanically similar to the Fiat 500, but unlikely to be considered as good-looking by more than a small number of people, it's offered with the award-winning two-cylinder 875cc TwinAir turbo petrol engine, producing 84bhp in this application, a more conventional 68bhp 1.2-litre four-cylinder and a 94bhp 1.3-litre M-Jet diesel. Semi-automatic transmission is available only in TwinAir models.

The range was revised slightly in 2014 and now includes trim levels called Silver, Gold, Platinum, SE and S-Series.

Performance

The diesel and the TwinAir have similar straightline performance, with 0-62mph times of 11.4 and 11.9 seconds respectively. The 1.2, which is less economical than either but cheaper to buy, lags behind on 13.4 seconds, though if you're going to use the Ypsilon mostly in town it's as quick as it needs to be.

Hardly anyone will want to take an Ypsilon to the max, but for the record the diesel is the only one capable of exceeding 110mph, with a top speed 4mph higher than that. The 1.2 can manage 101mph, the TwinAir 109.

Ride and Handling

Neither car is bad, but the Chrysler feels as if bubblegum has been used as a component in all the major controls

It's easy to gloss over the Fiat 500's road manners because it's so cute, and equally easy to be critical about those of the Ypsilon because it isn't.  Neither car is bad, but the Chrysler feels as if bubblegum has been used as a component in all the major controls, and on the open road the ride and handling are no better than okay. They're similarly ordinary in town, where the main issue is that the very poor rear visibility makes reversing difficult.

Interior and Equipment

It isn't a Chrysler at all. In other markets it's branded as a Lancia, a name that hasn't been used in the UK since the 1990s.

Chrysler went into hyperbole warp drive at the UK launch of the Ypsilon, using the words "premium" and even "luxury" in its description. To justify their use, the car would have to be very much classier than, say, the Ford Fiesta or Volkswagen Polo, and it just isn't. The interior is quite attractively styled, though, and the gearlever on manual models is handily placed on the dashboard, within easy reach of the steering wheel. The instrument binnacle is mounted centrally, and the only problem is that the speedometer is on the left, inconveniently far away for a right-hand drive car. Four six-foot adults can be accommodated comfortably, though claustrophobic people who sit in the back won't appreciate the lack of glass area back there. Luggage space - 245 litres with the rear seats in place - is much better than in the Fiat 500 but off the pace for a supermini, and several city cars can carry more luggage. If you far enough up the range, the Ypsilon is well equipped for a supermini. The ultimate version, called Platinum, comes with automatic climate control air-conditioning, cruise control, part-leather upholstery and the delightfully named Magic Parking system. It's also the only one with electrically operated rear windows.

Cost

The TwinAir (with either gearbox) and the diesel are both rated at under 100g/km and are therefore exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty

Pricing starts at £9,995, but for that you get the 1.2-litre petrol engine which has the poorest fuel economy and CO2 figures of 55.4mpg and 118g/km, or 54.3mpg and 120g/km for those models not fitted with a start/stop system. The TwinAir (with either gearbox) and the diesel are both rated at under 100g/km and are therefore exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty. Fuel economy, according to the EU test, is 74.3mpg for the diesel, 67.3mpg for the TwinAir manual and 68.9mpg for the automatic, though we've found it difficult to get close to the official figures in any TwinAir-engined car. The most expensive model, at £15,095, is the TwinAir Platinum automatic. All prices are based on the car being painted Clay Red, since that's the only standard colour. If you don't want that, you'll have to pay an extra £495 to have something else. Bi- and tri-colour options are also available at further cost.

Our Verdict

You don't see many Ypsilons on the road (though you can't help missing them during rare sightings) and we suspect that some people dismiss the car at first glance. Underneath that risky styling there's a fairly good car, but not a great one, and unless you really want to stand out from the crowd this is unlikely to be the supermini you end up buying.