FIAT has gone from the frumps of the motoring world to one of its leading fashionistas.
Following on from the revamp of the Panda and Punto, the sleek coupe style of its 1.4 T-Jet Bravo is a delight to behold.
A replacement for the Stilo, this small family hatchback really is one of the best looking cars in its class and deserves to turn heads as it drives down the street.
It marries smooth, naturally aerodynamic lines with pronounced muscular wheel arches to create an elegant dynamic and sporting design that shares some of the styling cues first introduced in the critically acclaimed Grande Punto range.
The front end of the Bravo features styling worthy of the Italian GT tradition incorporating as it does sleek teardrop headlamps with a neat grille design sporting a new Fiat badge - making its debut on the car.
In profile, the bonnet and front wings flow seamlessly into a steeply raked windscreen helping reduce wind noise intrusion into the interior while also enhancing fuel economy.
At the rear, large high visibility tail light clusters flank a practical top-hinged tailgate, with an integral roof spoiler housing a third brake light.
So the outside is a delight, what's the story when you climb behind the wheel?
Well all was going well until the lack of a footrest next to the clutch pedal reared its ugly head.
There's room for one, but for some reason Fiat have neglected to do the necessary.
It means your left foot is left hanging about with nowhere to go during motorway journeys.
That aside the interior is spacious and quiet with plenty of room for driver and passengers.
The driver's seat is height adjustable with the steering wheel altering for rake and reach.
Good quality materials have been used for the Bravo giving it a quality feel while the dashboard is an attractive array of deeply recessed dials with graphics backlit in orange after dark.
A central multi-function display gives easy access to a wide range of menu options with minimal driver distraction clearly the goal.
At the rear a 60:40 split/folding rear bench offers seating for three. It can be folded flat to increase the Bravo's boot space from 365 litres to a maximum of 1,175 litres.
The T-Jet petrol engine in this car is a hoot generating 150bhp taking the Bravo from 0-62mph in an exhilarating 8.5 seconds.
This warm hatch performance doesn't come at the cost of fuel consumption however as the Bravo averages almost 40mpg.
Ride and handling are good with plenty of grip on offer, although there is some lean in corners. The Bravo's suspension also occasionally struggles to cope with the T-Jet engine's exuberance.
Safety is a strong point with the Bravo boasting a maximum five-star rating for adult occupant protection in the gruelling Euro NCAP crash test programme.
Six airbags are fitted as standard across the range as well as side airbags and two side curtain bags providing head protection in the case of side impacts.
For all round adult, child and pedestrian protection the car scored 33 points out of a possible 37 from Euro NCAP placing it among the class leaders in terms of active, passive and preventive safety.
The Bravo is an attractive car that's fun to drive, well kitted out and economically priced - shame about the footrest.
FAST FACTS
Fiat Bravo 1.4 T-Jet 150 Dynamic 5dr
Price: £14,495
Mechanical: 150bhp, 1,368cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 131mph
0-62mph: 8.5 secs
Combined mpg: 39.8
Insurance group: 10
CO2 emissions: 167g/km
BiK rating: 20%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 8yrs anti-rust