Fiat Punto review
Despite recent revisions, the Fiat Punto is showing its age, and it falls down in most areas compared to newer rivals
The supermini class is a hotly contested one, and the Fiat Punto faces a slew of talented rivals. The latest Punto is the second facelift for Fiat's supermini and sees a number of mechanical and cosmetic changes – including the addition of Fiat's excellent TwinAir two-cylinder petrol engine – but it still falls short of its rivals. The Fiat is unexciting to drive and the styling feels tired. Decent safety credentials and a smooth ride go some way to redeeming it, but as a package, the Punto is largely underwhelming.
Our choice: Fiat Punto TwinAir
Styling
The Fiat Punto is now in its third styling iteration, and remains largely unchanged since the Grand Punto first arrived in 2006. It's a design that is showing its age, and aside from simple revisions like new headlights and optional paint colours, the Punto falls well behind newer rivals such as the Ford Fiesta and Kia Rio. Inside is a similar story, where the Fiat feels remarkably low rent, with swathes of cheap plastics and a tiny gearlever. The revised Punto has a decidedly budget feel compared to rivals, and cabin quality disappoints even next to the cheaper and newer Fiat Panda.
Driving
It comes as no surprise that the Fiat Punto is best suited to a life in the city. The five-speed manual works well and the steering is light – making parking a doddle. The brakes are sharp and the ride is excellent, soaking up bumps and ridges with ease. However, the light steering, which is ideal in town, lacks feedback and feels quite vague on the open road. Add this to sloppy body control, and it is feels worlds apart from the sharp Ford Fiesta and dynamic Mazda 2.
Reliability
Fiat came a disappointing last place in our Driver Power survey, which doesn’t bode well for the reliability and consumer satisfaction of new Punto owners. Owners told us that Fiat dealers are poor and that build quality was questionable. However, the Punto does come with driver, passenger and knee airbags and managed a full five-stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests – making it one of the safest superminis on the market.
Practicality
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. Space in the rear seats is acceptable, too, with decent head and legroom for full-sized adults. Up front, the driving position feels a bit high, and the light steering that makes the Punto a doddle to park is compromised by a poor turning circle.
Running Costs
The Fiat Punto performs well in terms of economy. The TwinAir, two-cylinder turbocharged petrol manages an impressive 67.3mpg. The Punto is cheaper than most of its main rivals to buy, too – undercutting the Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Fiesta and Mazda 2 when compared like-for-like. Standard kit is decent, with electric windows, remote locking and a whole host of airbags included as standard.
For an alternative review of the latest Fiat Punto Hatchback visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk
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The inside is beautiful, with the beautiful radio in the middle and very beautiful classic/modern instrument panel that is also easy to read/
not the crazy instrument panel from ford fiesta wich I so much hate.
let alone the Up and the dacia who are way behind...
The Sharp ford fiesta and mazda 2...
They use the same SCCS platform and so does opel
so fiat isn't that far a way..
Only the drum brakes in the rear are a bit too sharp in braking power and are not very dosable.
altrough braking power is excellent
by the way ford fiesta also still uses drum brakes.
The seats of the punto could be better since they don't give much support to my back for the long runs. What a pity on that part fwiat.. or else I bought you "big bummer are the seats" the rest is ok, at least with the 1.3 Mjet engine diesel
Driving is exellent, good feedback in all speeds also the 100 miles an hour speed ( I drove it)
The reviewers must forgotten to switch off "city mode" HAHA, just kidding it switched off by itself on higher velocities for safety reasons....
This revieuw is very biassed
I am going to unsubscrive, sorry
I know someone whos just bought one and loves it too bits, with its quick tight handling and would give it 5*