Fiat Punto

The Punto goes well and looks great in a segment full of unimaginative Euro-box hatches. Coupled with one of its decent diesels, this is just what Fiat needs to be doing.

• Comfort

  The Punto rides reasonably well and manages to remain properly composed at motorway speeds. Its only real drawback is a selection of noisy engines that penetrate the cabin at high revs.

  

• Performance

  There are endless engines to choose from for your Punto, none of them a clear-cut winner. With Fiat we'd always recommend going for a diesel, and the 96kW 1.9 Multijet makes the best of rapid progress with decent economy.

  

• Cool

  The Punto is strangely cool, not only because it has that nod to Maserati in its styling, but also because it's not the default small car choice that is the Mini. Small hatchbacks, just like scooters, are always cool if they're Italian.

  

• Quality

  You'd hardly dare expect it, but the Punto seems oddly sturdy. For an Italian hatch that undercuts the competition, this is nothing short of miraculous. Another string to what's become a surprisingly tempting bow.

  

• Handling

  Light, city-oriented steering doesn't offer much in the way of feel when you're hurtling about out of town, but the Punto's lively chassis provides plenty of mechanical grip.

  

• Practicality

  The B-segment is full of cars that aren't quite as big in the back or boot as you'd really like them to be, the worst offender being the Mini. The Punto lays waste to all before it in that respect.

  

• Running costs

  For starters you can get a new Punto for as little as $19,990, so you're already in pocket. Those diesels are also properly frugal, and the mini-Maser is considerably cheaper to insure than its distant cousins.