The Fiat Punto TwinAir is the little car with giant killing appeal.
The new generation of Fiat city cars is remarkably lively, eye-opening in economy and very surprisingly comfortable.
In many ways, considering the standard equipment available depending on model chosen, it offers big car features at a small car price.
The Punto range runs to over 40 models in Britain based on 3 or 5 door bodies, with 1.2 and 1.4 petrol engines as well as a 1.3 diesel, and you have the choice of 5 or 6speed gearboxes as well as limited automatics on selected versions.
Prices run from under £10,000 to almost £15,600. The TwinAir family within the range rises from £12,100 to £13,735.
My test car comes in towards the top of the TwinAir series and has standard alloys, climate control, powered front windows, cruise control, parking sensors and full connectivity for players and phone.
The engine is a truly delightful unit, eagerly starting, pulling well and settling down to a steady humm at motorway speed. You can even select low or high boost with the eco-button on the fascia. Go through the gears and you can make it sound harsher, thrashy even, but its not an unpleasant note then.
It revs very freely so you have to make quick changes to exploit its power development and with a light clutch and effortless selection it is no hardship to drive in city traffic or across country.
I liked the powertrain even before I saw the fuel returns and it has light dual mode steering for country or city, with good brakes underfoot and a safe handbrake for hills.
Secondary controls are pulled-in around and on the steering wheel but some switches are hidden from direct sight. Instruments are minimal but clear and easy to read.
I thought the climate control worked well backed up by the powered windows and you can opt for a £750 electric sunroof as well.
Oddments room is reasonable, not generous, while the nominal boot space rises from a shopping trolley 275 litres to over 1,000 litres with the split folding rear seats down.
Three doors demand some twisting to access the rear three seats but the front two are much easier and legroom is very good in the front, much more restricted behind.
It does a good job of soaking up bad road bumps, it rolls a bit on corners but it still gamely hangs onto the road and it has the in-built safe tendency to run wide on tighter turns.
Visibility may be an issue for shorter drivers when they have to reverse but to the sides and front it is good and you have parking sensors to help you in tight spots.
Without really trying I managed over 60mpg and its acceleration is admirably capable of keeping up with fast moving city stop start driving.
It will hold its own on the motorway too, but long ascents can see you dropping down from top to a lower gear.
There is a lot to recommend the Punto TwinAir, very little to rile against.
It is one of the most likeable and characterful of modern city commuting cars which does as a useful school-shuttle as well.
Fact file:
Fiat Punto TwinAir Brio 3dr
Price: £13,135
Mechanical: Two cylinder 8v 875cc 85bhp engine, 6sp
Insurance: 11
Performance: Max 107mph, 0-62mph 12.7sec
Fuel: 64mpg
Emissions: 98gkm/VED band A
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles
