Fiat Punto Evo GP 1.4 MultiAir 5dr Car Review - February 2012

REVIEW
List Price: £13,605
Tax Band: E
Insurance Group: 13
MPG: 49.6
CO2: 134
0-62 Mph: 10.8 secs
BHP: 105 BHP
Range: 491 miles
CarSite Verdict:  3/5
The Punto Evo is an attractive hatchback that combines some very good driving with a competitive fuel performance which will attract many people to the Fiat. The GP sport pack does mean that the sports suspension will not be to everyone’s taste, but the handling is very good and the Punto Evo is a very competent car in a competitive class.

PROS:  The fuel performance is very good for a car in the class, and is also very practical with plenty of space and a range of equipment included as standard.

CONS:  The sports suspension combined with British roads generally makes for a bumpy ride, and the handling is not quite a match for rivals that are very good in this field.

Behind the Wheel

Driving a Punto Evo is a very good experience on the whole, with handling that is accurate and delivering plenty of feedback to the driver. The suspension does make for a bouncy ride, but many people will be able to overlook this for the benefits that the car is able to deliver. Full adjustability for the steering wheel and the front seats mean that finding a comfortable driving position is straightforward, and the driver has a good visibility to the front and rear.

The engine performs perfectly adequately, and although getting from 0-62mph in 10.8 seconds isn’t going to break any records, it is more than enough for most drivers. The top speed of 115mph is also enough for most drivers, and is quite good coming from the compact 1.4 litre engine.

Looks & Equipment

The utilitarian looks of previous Punto models have been reworked, and the front end takes many cues from the smaller Fiat 500, with an effective layout of lights. The smooth lines are typically continental, and the inclusion of alloy wheels as standard is certainly a welcome addition that improves the image of the car. The interior displays everything you need to know clearly and efficiently, but the controls to the entertainment can take a little getting used to.

Having air conditioning as standard is certainly welcome, as is the Bluetooth connectivity that will be useful for many people. The adjustable steering rack is something that many people will be grateful for, as it makes driving a much more pleasurable experience for larger and taller people. Heated mirrors are also a good feature that will be ideal for those early mornings in winter.

Practicality, Safety & Reliability

The Punto Evo is a very spacious car that has enough space in the back to carry passengers comfortably for long journeys, and this isn’t at a cost to those who are in the front. The boot space is ample when compared with the competition, and this makes the car fine for use as a main family car. When compared with the rivals then this additional space will be a big selling point for those people who are looking for a hatchback that will be able to meet the demands of a family’s needs.

It has some impressive safety features such as the full range of airbags fitted as standard, and driving aids such as ESP, ABS and traction control means that drivers can be confident that the car will do as it is told. This has led the Punto Evo to achieve a five star rating in the Euro NCAP safety tests. The fact that there is no alarm option available may be an issue for people in areas where car crime is a problem, and a secure spare wheel is only available as an optional extra.

Value for Money

The 1.4 litre GP Multiair is firmly in the middle of the range of Puntos available at the moment, which is listed at £13,600. This is a very competitive price for a sporty hatchback that is also a very practical car, but it is worth noting that the depreciation for the Punto Evo is higher than in the more popular rivals within the class.

The warranty is offered for three years or sixty thousand miles, and the Punto Evo also comes with one year’s roadside breakdown cover, which is fairly typical of that offered by the competition. The low insurance group will certainly help people in terms of the lower premiums, and the fuel performance of an average 49.6mpg is quite good considering the size of the car.

Fiat Punto Evo GP 1.4 MultiAir 5dr Car Review - by 
All Fiat Punto Evo Reviews
Fiat Punto Evo Active 1.2 8v 3dr - February 2012
This Fiat Punto Evo Active 1.2 is based on the Grande Punto, with a facelift and a lot of re-working to help it compete in the ever growing super-mini class. You’ll get no nonsense motoring, decent...
Fiat Punto Evo Active 1.2 8v 5dr - February 2012
The Punto range is one of Fiat’s best cars. Designed in classic hatchback styling, the Punto Evo Active is eye-catching and even better inside. It comes with all the basic features and some upmarke...
Fiat Punto Evo Active 1.3 MultiJet 3dr - February 2012
For a small family hatchback, the Fiat Punto Evo Active 1.3 MultiJet offers adequate levels of performance and low running costs. This is a good, reasonably priced car for a small family.
Fiat Punto Evo Dynamic 1.4 8v Dualogic 3dr - March 2012
The Punto Evo is a major revision of the old Grande Punto with improvements made to the engine and interior. However, despite the improvements, the car still only delivers average performance and p...
Fiat Punto Evo Dynamic 1.3 MultiJet 5dr - February 2012
The additional features offered by the enhanced trim level of this small family hatchback are well worth the extra £1,500 and ensure that customers get a car which has the comfort levels to match i...
Comments
Small Family Alternatives

You might want to read reviews for other Small Family cars that you can then compare to the Fiat Punto Evo. Here are some popular Fiat Punto Evo alternatives:

NEW RELEASE
Jeep Avenger revealed for 2023
NEW RELEASE
Ferrari Purosangue revealed
NEW RELEASE
Ford Mustang revealed for 2023
NEW RELEASE
New BMW M2 has been revealed
NEW RELEASE
Electric SUV coming soon
NEW RELEASE
Popular hatchback gets an update