THE Grande Punto has been one of those cars to gain very nicely thank you in this scrappage age with Fiat currently offering the entry version for a remarkable £6,695 under that scheme.
Very attractive for a spacious Giugiano-designed good-looker which, even in the basic 1.4-litre Active trim, carries the likes of Blue&Me hands-free entertainment and communications system, electric front windows and door mirrors, driver's seat height and steering wheel height and reach adjustment, electric power steering, driver and passenger airbags, radio and CD player and ABS with electronic brake force distribution. Oh yes, and a five-year/unlimited mileage warranty,
In fact, there are substantial savings to be had across the Grande Punto family, including the version under test here, the mid-range turbo diesel Dynamic five-door. Even if you haven't a banger to be crunched, it's still an appealing buy.
For a start the Grande Punto, classed as a supermini, actually feels like a fully-grown-up car, which can handle five adults without shoehorning them in. Design in and out is satisfying and materials-quality fair, the driving experience is easy and quite pleasant and, in this 1.3 common rail Multijet form, is extremely economical.
At Dynamic level the 75bhp version of the engine features (there's a more powerful form further up the range) and the car is claimed to top 80mpg on the open road, while emitting just 119g/km of carbon dioxide. In practice, the fuel needle certainly seemed reluctant to move and on average I achieved 58.1mpg over a week, not far off the book figure.
Okay, the car is sluggish and a bit rumbly over the opening stages but once the revs start to build and the turbo kicks in the performance is actually quite bright and pleasing.
The electronic steering system feels a little too neutral and the car picks up more road imperfections than you would wish, but there are good marks for its grip and sure handling. Indeed, the car gives some pleasure through twisty roads, showing a confidence and stability almost unexpected in a quite tall vehicle. However, you do have to cope with a less-than-slick five-speed manual gearbox.
Motorway work is breezy, while in town the car is a little star, thanks to a 10m turning circle and an ultra-easy City steering setting which, when activated, provides super-nimble handling.
As I said, the Grande Punto is tallish with plenty of glass, so all round-visibility is very good. The front pillars are chunky and might have caused a problem, except that the windscreen is steeply raked and so minimises it. The steering wheel and seat adjustments ensure comfortable driving, while controls, dials and detailed info displays are simple and clear. Audio system buttons on the steering wheel are helpful.
There are bold carbon-fibre-effect decorative highlights which are reflected in the upholstery, while the silver metallic centre console is very economically laid out, with good-sized buttons and switches. If I have a moan about cabin fittings it is about limited stowage facilities.
But you do get, in addition to the features I mentioned at the start, air conditioning with pollen filter, side and window airbags, leather steering wheel and gearknob and a split/folding rear seat. The Dynamic also gains body-coloured door handles to further distinguish an exterior which already has body-coloured bumpers and mirrors, silver grilles and a thrusting face emphasised by the big teardrop lights. All very Italian.
At the other end, the boot has a high step but offers reasonable capacity, and those folding rear seats mean excellent load space is available.
That gives the Grande Punto good flexibility of use, and the amount of room at the rear (and I like the big rear doors) will appeal to families with lanky teenagers to move about. Add in the super economics and you have a small car to be reckoned with.
FAST FACTS
Fiat Grande Punto 1.3 Multijet 75 Dynamic 5dr
Price: £12,225
Mechanical: 75bhp, 1,248cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 103mph
0-62mph: 13.6 seconds
Combined mpg: 62.8
Insurance group: 3
CO2 emissions: 119g/km
BIK rating: 15%
Warranty: 5yrs/ unlimited mileage