FIAT PUNTO Review

Summary:

What we like: Styling, Spacious interior.

What we don't like: Expensive, Smaller diesel gutless.

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FIAT PUNTO review in detail:

Launched in Europe in 2005, the latest Fiat Punto is simple in its style.

Given the car's exterior dimensions, the interior space is surprisingly good.

There's plenty of front headroom in the standard car although the optional sunroof steals significant space.

There's reasonable leg and headroom, though as in most small cars the boot suffers a little.

Fiat in Australia has made a strong push towards diesel power, with three of the four Punto engines on offer in this country being turbo-diesel units. The smaller engine doesn't work well until it gets to about 2500 rpm, and even then is no fireball. Be sure to test drive one because those who like to drive tend to take a real dislike to it.

The suspension is a bit on the harsh side on some roads because of the firmer setup, but the Punto Sport is generally sharp and nimble in its handling.

The Punto received a five-star European NCAP crash rating as it features ABS brakes with electronic brake distribution and front, side and curtain airbags as standards.

The Punto Emotion and Sport models also get hill holder, electronic stability control, alloy wheels and front foglights.

The automated manual transmission, known as Dual Logic, isn't offered in all models and can be on the harsh side in its changes.