The right-hand drive version of the Opel Agila, the Vauxhall Agila was basically the came car, a rebadged version of the Suzuki Wagon R-Wide produced in Japan.
The first generation was released in 2000 and was sold in over 444,000 units worldwide.
While the boxy exterior design was rather rather dull, the Vauxhall Agila was mostly bought for its practicality. The small MPV-like car was ideal for crowded city transportation thanks to the low fuel consumption it offered. While most city cars were offered in a 3-door configuration, the Agila’s extra 2 doors enhanced its practicality.
Inside, the cabin was fitted with good quality materials. Everything was well laid out, the controls were intuitively placed and easy to action, while the black on white gauges were easy to read. The cloth upholstery was available in different colors to personalise the Agila according to the buyer’s taste.
While practical within city limits, the Agila wasn’t at home on twisty roads or highways. Due to its unusual height, the car’s stability was affected and body roll was present.
The Vauxhall Agila could be equipped with a 1.0-liter or a 1.2-liter gasoline engine, the latter developing 75 hp, just enough to deserve the nameplate of Agila (“agilis” in Latin, agile). Both units were mated with a 5-speed manual transmission.