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By Andy Enright
Introduction
There's a rule of thumb that states that if you want a great Fiat, buy the smallest one possible. The bigger Fiats get, the less class competitive they seem to be. So when Fiat launches a supermini class car, it's fair to say that expectations are high. Fiat's Punto Evo was a supermini that didn't always play by the established rules. It was bigger than most cars in this class but was priced aggressively and looked a good deal classier than most boring shopping hatches. There are some cars that make great new buys but poor used selections and there are also vehicles that are quite the opposite. Choose carefully and a used Punto Evo can make a lot if sense. Here's what to look for.
Models
3/5dr supermini (1.4 petrol, 1.3 diesel [Active, MyLife, Dynamic, Eleganza, GP, Sporting, Abarth])
History
When it comes to writing the history of Fiat, the Punto Evo probably won't even get a mention. Not because it isn't a good car, but merely because Fiat's naming policy has a lot to answer for. When this third generation Punto first appeared in 2006, it wore the Grande Punto badge, which had an agreeably Ronseal touch to it insofar as it did exactly what it said on the tin. It was a Punto and it was Grande. Fiat developed this model into the Punto Evo, launched in 2010. This was first unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Show and it was clear that the Italians had been listening to customer feedback. Buyers loved the Grande Punto's sleek styling and practicality but weren't so keen on some of its interior plastics, its ageing engine range and felt that in-car technology was falling behind.
The Punto Evo addressed these issues but was initially sold alongside run-out models of the Grande Punto, confusing the customer proposition, in the UK at least. Then there was the fact that the 'Evo' badge here has connotations of extreme high performance, something the little Fiat never delivered, even in the warmer Abarth version that subsequently appeared. Biggest news with this car was its clever 1.4-litre MultiAir petrol engine, a unit offering the power you'd associate with a much larger unit but the fuel economy of something quite small and feeble. The range was tweaked in Spring 2011, with the MyLife trim level appearing and the Eleganza versions being ditched. Finally, in 2012, Fiat decided to revise the Punto again, ditching the Evo badge and reverting to plain and simple Punto, as it should always have been.
What You Get
The clean, classy looks of the Grande Punto were a definite strongpoint: whether Fiat managed to retain this with the Punto Evo is something you'll need to decide for yourself. Certainly, the Evo's look packs in a shade more aggression, with the indicators relocated outside the main headlight clusters and the grille dropped lower down the nose, but the effect is fussier than before. At the rear, the tail light design is attractive and the bumper insert mirrors the shape made by the grille and intake at the front.
Inside, this car made a far more obvious step forward. The quality of the plastics and fabrics used is very impressive and the two tone colour schemes on the plusher models work well. The dashboard is sculpted around the consoles and air vents with chrome and gloss black inserts adding to the upmarket ambience. The control systems are easy to work out and particular mention should go to the nicely shaped steering wheel. The Punto is one of the larger cars in the supermini sector and with its lengthy wheelbase comes a spacious interior. The 275-litre boot isn't outstanding for the class but rear leg and headroom is very good indeed and the rear seat squabs can flip up to provide an almost flat loading bay.
Fiat weren't shy in piling technological features into the Punto Evo. All models come with a comprehensive safety specification that includes a full complement of airbags, including a driver's knee airbag. The Dualogic robotised gearbox is available with selected engine options and depending on the trim level, the car can also come with daytime running lights, adaptive cornering fog lights, a hill holder function, the Sky Dome electric sunroof and some tempting infotainment options. Fiat was particularly proud of its award-winning Blue&Me system which incorporates Bluetooth wireless technology with voice recognition, a USB and MP3 compatible stereo and Blue&Me TomTom satellite navigation. In partnership with leading manufacturer TomTom, Fiat also offered a removable satellite navigation unit that integrates seamlessly with the car's other system and can be controlled via voice recognition or buttons on the steering wheel. If you're worried about your used supermini looking old hat, the Punto Evo could be the answer.
What You Pay
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What to Look For
The Grande Punto was never one of the better performers on customer satisfaction surveys due to niggling reliability issues and poor dealer support. Fiat has invested in its dealer network in recent years to improve the service offered and with the Punto Evo it benefited from developing a mature platform, ironing out the kinks in the process. It's better but you should still make sure electrical parts like the sunroof function and that the heater controls work as expected. On the whole, this is an extremely reliable model which is to Fiat's credit.
Replacement Parts
(approx based on a 2009 Punto Evo 1.4 MultiAir) Parts prices are reasonable. In terms of consumable items, an air filter is around £15 with an oil filter retailing at approximately £20. Spark plugs are £10 each, with a front tyre weighing in at around £120.
On the Road
The 1.4-litre MultiAir engine is a highlight of the Punto Evo range. It's available in 105bhp guise or with 135bhp thanks to the addition of a turbocharger. The clever bit is the MultiAir's electrohydraulic valve management system that will sound like gobbledegook to most but works to optimise the amounts of air entering the combustion system by controlling the engine intake valves independently of the throttle. The result is improvements in things that motorists tend to like - performance, economy and refinement.
On the diesel side, there's more innovation in the shape of the second generation of Fiat's ever-popular 1.3-litre Multijet diesel. Available in 75bhp and 95bhp guises, this compact common-rail diesel engine is a perfect fit in a small car like the Punto Evo. A finely controlled combustion process produces high levels of economy and plenty of torque. The 95bhp engine, which features a variable geometry turbocharger, can cover the 0-62mph sprint in 11.7s. If you want more pace than that, there's the 1.6-litre Multijet diesel with 120bhp and a 9.7-second 0-62mph time.
Overall
The Fiat Punto Evo gets a solid thumbs up from us. We haven't always been able to wholeheartedly recommend Fiat products to used buyers but the Punto Evo is big, classily finished and, most importantly, has garnered a reassuring reliability record. It doesn't drive quite as sharply as the best in its class, but it has many other compensations.
