Fiat Punto (2012-2018) review - Practicality, comfort and boot space
For interior comfort and general practicality, the Punto scores quite well
Up front in the Punto the driving position feels a bit high, but there’s still sufficient headroom, and visibility is good as a result. There’s a decent range of adjustability in the seating too, which means most will find a comfortable setting. One additional plus point in the Punto’s favour is a good level of noise suppression, which makes travelling longer distances quite relaxing.
It’s also an easy car to drive and manoeuvre around town, although you can have optional parking sensors at the back if you want them. There’s plenty of space for bits and pieces in the cabin too, with a large glovebox and four cup-holders in the front.
As the Punto is only available with a five-door hatchback body these days, access to the rear seats is fine.
Size
The Fiat Punto is 4,065mm long, 1,490mm high, and 1,687mm wide. That makes it a little longer than the five-door Fiesta which is 3,969mm x 1,495mm x 1,722mm.
Leg room, head room & passenger space
Space in the rear seats is acceptable, too, with decent head and legroom for full-sized adults. Two should be comfortable – unless they’re long-legged – but although the seats are configured for three, it will definitely feel like a squeeze. A 60:40 split-fold seat with ISOFIX child seat mountings is standard on the Easy+, but you need to pay extra if you want it on the Pop+.
Boot
In terms of outright boot space, the ageing Punto loses out to some of its more contemporary rivals. With 275 litres, it's 10-litres down on the Vauxhall Corsa and 20 litres down on the Ford Fiesta. However, with the rear seats folded, the load space opens up to an impressive 1,030-litres, which transforms the hatchback’s carrying ability. The Volkswagen Polo can only muster 952-litres, for example.
The seats fold flat in the Punto too, but there is a bit of a lip to haul things over. There’s no standard spare wheel either, as you’re expected to rely on Fiat’s optimistically named Fix&Go puncture repair kit. You can buy an optional space-saver or full-size spare wheel with both trim levels though.
