Fiat Punto is a beautiful and reasonable offer
Despite the passage of time, Fiat Punto is an interesting proposition for drivers who are looking for a beautiful and roomy car at a reasonable price. The Italian baby stays pocket-friendly even with later use.
The third generation Fiat Punto is already a true veteran of the B segment. The car debuted in 2005 as the Grande Punto. Four years later, it was rejuvenated and renamed the Punto Evo. The next modernization, combined with the reduction of the name to Punto, took place in 2011.
The years go by, but the Punto still looks great. Many say that this is the most beautiful representative of segment B. No wonder. After all, Giorgetto Giugiaro was responsible for the body design. The trade-off for an attractive bodyline is mediocre visibility from the driver's seat - the sloping A-pillar and massive C-pillar narrow the field of view. The latest upgrade had a positive impact on the appearance of the car. Large unpainted plastic inserts have been removed from the bumpers. Yes, they were scratch-resistant and successfully replaced ... parking sensors. However, the aesthetics of the decision have been controversial.
At 4,06 meters, the Punto remains one of the largest cars in the B segment. It also has an above-average wheelbase of 2,51 meters, a figure not found on many of its newest competitors. As a result, of course, a lot of space in the cabin. Four adults can travel in Punto - there will be plenty of legroom and headroom. Tall people who have to sit in the back may complain about limited knee room.
Armchairs, despite poor profiling, are comfortable. A height-adjustable seat and a two-way adjustable handlebar make it easy to find the optimal position behind the Punto controls. Even in the lower position, the chair is quite high, which is not suitable for everyone.
The Punto's interior looks interesting. Strong assembly and high rigidity of the body ensure that the cabin will not creak even when driving over bumps or when driving on high curbs. It is a pity that they finished with not very pleasant to the touch materials. Some plastics have sharp edges. The low resolution of the on-board computer screen is reminiscent of the Punto days. A bit annoying is the time it takes to scroll through and read all the menu items on the computer. In addition, the ergonomics of the cabin does not cause any particular complaints. The most serious oversight is ... an optional armrest. In the low position, it effectively makes it difficult to shift gears.
The trunk holds 275 liters, which is a worthy result. Another advantage of the breast is its correct shape. Disadvantages - a high threshold, the absence of a handle on the hatch and a drop after folding the rear seat back. In the cabin, additional compartments for storing things would not be neglected. There are few available cabinets and niches, and their capacity is not impressive.
The Electric Dual Drive steering does not captivate with its communication skills. However, it does have a unique "City" mode that minimizes the effort required to turn the steering wheel when maneuvering.
Punto's suspension characteristics are a good compromise between handling and comfort. If we compare Fiat with younger competitors, we will find that the chassis has not been finalized. On the one hand, it allows significant body tilts in fast cornering, on the other hand, it has problems filtering short, transverse bumps. The MacPherson struts and rear torsion beam handle the hardships of driving on Polish roads well, and repairs are easy and cheap.
Fiat has simplified Punto's price lists as much as possible. Only the Easy trim level is available. Standard equipment includes manual air conditioning, ABS, front airbags, trip computer, power mirrors and windshields. It is a pity that for the simplest radio, ESP (PLN 1000) and side airbags (PLN 1250) you have to pay extra.
Fewer restrictions when choosing an engine version. Fiat offers 1.2 8V (69 HP, 102 Nm), 1.4 8V (77 HP, 115 Nm), 0.9 8V TwinAir (85 HP, 145 Nm), 1.4 16V MultiAir (105 HP) engines. s., 130 Nm) and 1.3 16V MultiJet (75 km, 190 Nm).
The most budgetary engines are 1.2 and 1.4 - the first one starts at 35 PLN, for 1.4 you need to prepare another two thousand. The base bike is too weak to be fun to drive, but it handles the city cycle quite well, consuming 7-8 liters per 100 km. We will feel the lack of "steam" when driving outside the village - acceleration to "hundreds" takes 14,4 seconds, and acceleration stops at around 156 km / h. Punto 1.4 is more versatile with 77 hp. and 115 Nm under the hood. Acceleration to 100 km / h takes 13,2 seconds, and the speedometer can show 165 km / h. The two weakest motors have 8-valve heads. The advantage of the less and less frequently used solution is the favorable torque distribution. About 70% of tractive effort is available at 1500 rpm. The simple design and low forces make the 8 V motors compatible with gas installations.
The Punto with turbocharged 0.9 TwinAir was priced at 43 45 zlotys. Due to its noise and high fuel appetite during active driving, a two-cylinder engine cannot be considered the optimal choice. It’s better to assemble the 1.4 0 and buy the 100 MultiAir variant - faster, more cultured, more maneuverable and at the same time more economical. Acceleration from 10,8 to 7 km/h takes 100 seconds, and fuel is consumed at a rate of 1.3 l/km. If the Punto is intended to be used only in the urban cycle, we do not recommend the Multijet turbodiesel - a large turbo lag interferes with smooth movement, and the particulate filter does not tolerate short trips.
Over the course of eight years, mechanics have studied the design of Punto well and the weaknesses of the model, which are relatively few. The base of branded replacements is rich, and spare parts ordered from the Dealership are also not expensive. This has a positive effect on the cost of servicing Punto after the expiration of the warranty period.
The 2011 facelift didn't strip the Punto of all signs of aging. However, the urban Fiat has many undeniable advantages, and after the recent price correction, it has become more economical.
