Ugly Has Never Been So Attractive

Still, shifting it in urban traffic was fun. The lever fell nicely to hand and moved with something approaching grace. In city driving, the front-wheel-drive xD felt zippy, confident and competent.

It would have been nice if Toyota's engineers had given the same attention to the clutch that they gave to the five-speed gearbox. The good feel and ease of movement in the shifter was absent in the clutch, which felt rubbery and uncertain. It was like dancing with someone who was all rhythm and fire on the right side of her body, but who was completely absent of passion and timing on the left.

I suspect that the available four-speed automatic version would remedy that problem but at the cost of a few more miles per gallon.

The verdict: I asked Ria if she loved or hated the xD. She offered an opinion worthy of a diplomat. She said the car was ugly, but so ugly that it verged on being cute. She loved its fuel economy and maneuverability in the city but dumped it the moment she had cause for a long highway drive with her mother and two sons.

Me? I love any car that makes me smile, as the xD did. In terms of design, it is whimsical bordering on silly but enjoyable nonetheless. It is indeed a good city driver. It has the personality of a goofy best friend and offers the service and reliability of a favorite pair of tennis shoes.

ON WHEELS WITH WARREN BROWN Listen from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays on WMET World Radio (1160 AM) or http://www.wmet1160.com.