I recently had reason to borrow a 1992 ZX 1.9 Volcane at work. The "1.9 Volcane" bit was interesting as it was the fastest thing I've ever driven, but I was equally interested in the ZX bit - how does one of the direct successors to my own GS compare with it?

I've never been sure about the ZX's looks, finding them a bit dumpy (I prefer the fastback profile of the GS, BX and Xsara), but this example was a gorgeous deep red colour and the Volcane trim, including a little chin spoiler and front foglights, gives it a purposeful look.

I was able to get extremely comfortable behind the wheel with seats that adjust for rake and reach and also for height, and with a steering wheel that adjusts for rake. The Volcane has lovely firm bucket seats that hug you in position and give good support. The GS's seats adjust for rake and reach and are comfortable enough for a '70s car, but nothing special. I found visibility to be slightly worse in the ZX - you sit quite high in the car, but the scuttle seems even higher, and over-the-shoulder vision is worse as the rear quarterlights are smaller.

I only drove the ZX from Broadstairs in Kent to Dover and back again so this isn't a thorough road test. Even so, it was enough to get some feel for the car, although I didn't get any idea of how it might behave under more extreme conditions. The route is mainly quite open A-roads, and there was a fair amount of traffic.

The ZX rides more firmly than the GS, possibly because of the Volcane sports setup. Before I took the ZX out, my boss told me that she found it wallowy, but I didn't think so at all. The ride's still comfortable though, just not so "magic-carpet" as an oleopneumatic car. At speed the steering was even more delightfully direct and pointy than the GS's (helped by a fat, small-diameter, leather-clad steering wheel) and much lighter and easier to park, thanks to power assistance. The major controls are all lighter, in fact; the clutch drops to the floor with minimum effort, the gearlever slots easily into place, and the brakes are very highly-servoed - but not very confidence-inspiring when you're used to powered GS brakes. "My" car had ABS, but I didn't test it!

I think "my" Volcane had rear-wheel steer, but I never noticed its effects.

The ZX shared the GS's unwilligness to pull when cold and at low revs, which surprised me from a 1.9 litre, fuel injected car, but "my" example was rather neglected - it would probably have been okay after a service.

Despite the car's high spec level and modernity, the worst thing about it was ergonomics. With the steering wheel adjusted high enough to give me room for my knees (I'm about average height, a little under six foot, but with long legs), I couldn't see the row of warning lights (low oil, worn brakes etc) which runs along the bottom of the instrument panel. At one point I wanted to put the hazard warning lights on and searched in vain for the switch - it was only when I thought back to the ZXs that my Dad used to own that I remembered that it's hidden behind the steering wheel, along with the heated rear windscreen and foglamp switches. Also, the uncomfortably-shaped gearknob doesn't fall easily to hand and the pedals are smaller and closer together than the GS's - not good for my size 10s. At least the handbrake is in the normal position and the stereo is well placed.

My Dad had two ZXs - a 1.4i three-door and a 1.9TD estate - before moving on to Xsaras. I remember liking the estate (the estates are better proportioned than the hatchbacks and it was one of the later cars with a little grille, which vastly improved the looks) but I always used to hit my head getting into the back of the three-door. At least "my" Volcane had the proper number of doors, and my passengers didn't complain about getting in and out.

Two models, thirteen years and the loss of oleo-pneumatic suspension later, but the ZX had at least one good old Citroen trait; it blew bits of dead leaves through the vents at me. Just like the GS.

I prefer the GS for: ride quality, driver comfort, looks, ergonomics, visibility.

I prefer the ZX for: build quality (no more clangy doors!), trim quality, speed, seats.

Without wishing to disparage another model, I don't think I'd ever own a ZX. The ergonomics would just annoy me too much, and I like to drive a car which stands out from the crowd a bit. I'm too attached to oleo-pneumatic suspension as well - if only Citroen had produced a GS Volcane!