Fiat Punto Pop 1.3 MultiJet 5dr Car Review - April 2012

The Punto is certainly easy to drive with steering that is light and effective around town, but it does stay light even at speed which will mean that some people could find it a little twitchy. Another issue is that the ride is a little bit uncomfortable, with many of the bumps and the potholes being felt in the cabin. The seat and the steering wheel are fully adjustable, but the small pedal area means that there isn’t really a space to place your feet when they aren’t on the pedals.

The engine performance has really been designed for efficiency rather than performance, and this shows in the acceleration from 0-62mph which takes 13.6 seconds. The top speed of 103mph is also fine for most journeys, but the diesel engine can be a little noisy and the refinement at motorway speeds isn’t great.

The large headlights are distinctive features of the Punto front end, and with the narrow oval grille and matching air intake the front end is really quite attractive. The colour contrast roof does make for an interesting feature, and the back end is tidy and simple as you would expect from a small car. Inside the cabin the colour contrast trim is a nice feature, and the dashboard and centre console is also attractive and easy to use.

The Pop level of trim isn’t particularly luxurious, but it still has enough of the basics so that it doesn’t feel too sparse. The CD stereo is very good and has an MP3 connection for those who want to play from their portable player, but many people will want to upgrade to include air conditioning, otherwise the car may become uncomfortable in hot weather. It is also a shame that alloy wheels aren’t included as standard, as these make the car much more attractive on the whole.

There is plenty of space in the cabin of the Punto, and although it is a small hatchback it can easily take four adults, however a fifth occupant might make things a little tight in the back of the car. The boot offers a reasonable amount of space too, meaning that the Punto is a practical option as a small family car. In terms of the reliability of the Punto, Fiat hasn’t always had the best record, and driver surveys suggest that the Punto’s reliability is fairly average.

There is a fairly minimal amount of safety equipment included with the Punto, with only four airbags to look after passengers in case of an accident. ABS and traction control are included as standard, but stability control is only an optional extra.

With a list price of £12,500, this version of the Fiat Punto is quite an affordable car, but with the petrol engines proving to be even cheaper, many people will prefer the lower purchase price instead of the improved running costs of the diesel. It is worth noting that the cheapest diesel Ford Fiesta offers the same fuel efficiency and is cheaper to buy.

The 1.3 litre diesel engine delivers very good fuel efficiency figures, achieving an average 68.9mpg. The low insurance group means that premiums should be quite reasonable, and depreciation for the Punto is comparable to that of its rivals such as the Fiesta or the Corsa. The Punto is delivered with a three year or a sixty thousand mile warranty, and is also provided with a year’s membership of the AA.