Vauxhall Adam review - stylish, but is it fun? - Prices, specs and rivals

Aside from the Rocks, the trim levels all rhyme with Adam. Entry-level is Jam (from £11,860), which comes well-equipped with cruise control, air conditioning, a CD player with USB, DAB, Bluetooth, a trip computer, 16-inch alloys, daytime running lights and ESP/ABS. Glam is £1370 more at £13,230, throwing in climate control, a panoramic fixed roof, LED DRLs and rear lights, plus some chrome finishing, while for another £500 the Slam adds sports suspension, cloth/Morrocana seats and 17-inch alloys.

The Rocks is priced at £14,475 and has its own 18-inch alloys, bespoke interior trim, body cladding and raised suspension.

The Adam S begins at £17,375 and comes with a turbocharged 1.4 engine and a whole host of sporty styling inside and out. That appears like good value given its relation to the rest of the range, but a Fiesta ST is only £17,645 and offers better performance, one of the best chassis available in a small car and more space than the smaller Adam. It's perhaps not as stylish as the Adam, but those seeking a truly talented hot hatch should look no further.

What undoes regular Adams is that ostensibly more prosaic models from the A-segment, such as the Volkswagen Up/SEAT Mii/Skoda Citigo or even Hyundai’s i10, offer better city car characteristics and economy figures for less money, while both the Fiat 500 and Mini have something that continually eludes Vauxhall – badge cred. Even the DS3, now separate from Citroen under the DS Automobiles brand (and starts at £13,295) has a more appealing image.