FIAT may be small car specialists, but they know a thing or two about space.
That is vividly demonstrated by the five-door Stilo. I had already driven the three-door and had been hugely impressed, but my initial reaction to the five-door was that it doesn't actually look a great deal bigger than its smaller sibling.
But it is impressively spacious inside - and as a father-of-two young, rapidly growing children, I know how important it is to have as much room as possible.
In fact, the dimensions inside the five-door Stilo give it class-leading internal space of 3.33m. Being a particularly tall car, the five-door Stilo also provides the most head room in its class, too.
Given that the interior surrounds you with stylish upholstery, an eye-catching dashboard and rubber-coated switchgear, it all adds up to a very tasty package.
And it can move too - the car oozes a feeling of supressed energy, like a large dog waiting to be let off its leash.
It certainly hit the right notes with my wife, who is pretty perceptive in the car stakes. One trip in it was enough to convince her it was one of the best vehicles I have road-tested this year. "It's good to look at and feels good to travel in," she said. Followed, perhaps inevitably by: "Will you buy me one?"
Finances meant I had to decline, though I must say that had I sufficient funds, it would be very tempting.
What Fiat engineers have come up with is a vehicle with plenty of room and great versatility and practicality. A saloon on the outside and, in effect, an MPV inside, with all the freedom that combination can offer.
And the company doesn't intend to rest on its laurels as far as the Stilo is concerned. For it is the outcome of an open-ended flexible engineering project that will allow other interpretations of the car in the future, including versions with different track widths and wheelbases. Furthermore. the Stilo will be able to be continually enhanced by the addition of new electronic systems as they become available.
Another strength of Stilo design is the fact that a certain number of component systems and sub-systems have been created in conjunction with Fiat Auto suppliers, that take future changes into account. These are ready for continuous upgrading and developments over the next few years and include, for example, electronic brake systems and dynamic traction control systems.
Clearly then, the Stilo will continually be evolving and developing - certainly there will be no treading water with this model.
The Stilo competes in the C-segment against accomplished performers such as the VW Golf, Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra, so it has to be visually dramatic and appealing.
I think its looks give it immediate street cred and presence and expect to see a growing number on the roads.
FAST FACTS
Fiat Stilo 1.9 JTD Dynamic 5 dr hatch
Price: £13,835
Mechanical: 115bhp, 1910cc turbodiesel engine driving front wheels via 5-spd manual gearbox
Max Speed: 119mph
0-62mph: 10.3 secs
Combined mpg: 53.3
Insurance Group: 5
CO2 emissions: 143g/km
BiK rating: 18%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 8yrs antirust; 3yrs paint.