On the outset, the Seat Mii appears to be the brand’s version of the Volkswagen Up or the Skoda Citigo. There’s little distinction among the three looks wise, so we wonder how this compact three-door car will fare on the road and against bigger competitors in the market.

Pros

The Mii comes in two equipment packages and three types of trim levels. You can get an additional chrome pack with the SE models, while the Sport model has tinted windows and a chassis set-up. You can have the Mii with either the 59bhp or 75bhp 1.0-litre petrol engines. Both of these offer 70lb ft in terms of torque and come with a five-speed manual. Customers after an automated sequential gearbox will have to wait for the expected release.

We’re also impressed by the Mii’s 999cc three-cylinder engine and its performance on motorway speeds and while driving about town. The engine remains refined even at low revs. Although a bit slower than the average at 12.7 seconds for its 62mph sprint, this engine is capable of three figure velocities if you have adequate space. The gearbox is also light to use and direct in response. Steering is agile and incredibly light under the hands, making the Mii a great ride even while weaving through difficult traffic. All around the vehicle does not disappoint in performance and in handling. Road, wind, and tyre noise is kept at a minimum, making the Mii much quieter next to its competitors.

The cabin features both form and function with its quality material, interior colour, and polished plastics placed in flashes. These elements come together to place the Seat Mii at par or even a step up from its rivals. We could even compare it to the same quality as the Fiat 500. The cabin also has enough room for four and the boot space is adequate at 251 litres. The boot space can be expanded to 700 litres more once the rear seats are placed downwards. There are als shallow door pockets to keep small items such as your wallet or phone nearby. Drivers and passengers can expect ample support from the front seats.

Cons

Although the steering is light and makes parking easy on particularly tight spots, this does not perform as well when going on faster speeds. Feedback is minimal and could be a problem when you have to make certain turns at high speeds.

The lower powered 59bhp engine is rather slow at its 14.4 seconds 62mph mark, so we would recommend getting the faster 13.2 seconds mark of the 73bhp. These engines work well for a single lane carriageway out of the city, but could prove troublesome when it’s time to overtake.

The cabin space, although adequate for four individuals, is a bit of a problem out back. Back seat riders should be small in frame and will have to endure some discomfort when they have to go on long trips.

The Mii clearly has several advantages over its competitors. Although the look is different, the Mii steps up in every other functional aspect. You can expect that the decision will only be deterred by a dealer’s price differential.

An official subsidiary of Italian automobile company Fiat, SEAT is a Spanish car manufacturer that has its beginnings during the 1950s. The launching of the classic 1400 model in 1953 is a significant move that helped usher Spain in the world of modern automobile manufacturing. During this period and until the early 1980s however, a lot of people see SEAT as nothing but Spanish version of Fiats. The withdrawal of Fiat in 1981 from SEAT and the involvement of Volkswagen as one of its major shareholder proved to be a turning point in the history of SEAT. Since the launching of the SEAT Ronda in 1982 until its recent lineup of excellent vehicles such as the SEAT MII, the company has successfully carved a legacy of its own in the global automobile market.

Marketed as the ultimate City Car, SEAT MII continues the In-Your-Face heritage of this iconic automobile manufacturer. Launched in 2011, this three-door hatchback vehicle runs on 1.0-litre petrol engine. Aside from its superb features, the MII is a hit because it combines spaciousness, excellent handling, and fuel efficiency. It is also the first vehicle on its league that is equipped with an automatic braking system. Combined with other standard safety mechanisms such as its four airbags, the MII is definitely one of the safest and most efficient compact vehicles to date.