Used Fiat Grande Punto 2006 - 2011 review

What's the used Fiat Grande Punto like?

It sounds like a cup of coffee but, as the name suggests, this is a larger supermini with space for up to four adults, and a good-sized boot. It's also got a five-star Euro NCAP crash rating and every model, except the entry-level Active, comes with side and curtain airbags.

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Overview

The Grande Punto gives you a lot of car for your cash, but it's far from perfect.

Pros

• The Fiat Grande Punto is a bargain hunter's dream buy because it's cheap to run, spacious
• well equipped

Cons

• Dull steering and an overly firm ride are disappointing and the poor reliability record and resale value may put you off

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Fiat Grande Punto

1.2 Active 3dr

£500

Fiat Grande Punto

1.2 Active 5dr

£750

Fiat Grande Punto

1.2 Dynamic 5dr

£980

Fiat Grande Punto

1.2 Active White 3dr

£989

Fiat Grande Punto

1.4 16v Active Sport 5dr

£990

Fiat Grande Punto

1.2 Active 5dr

£995

Fiat Grande Punto

1.2 Active 5dr

£1,000

Fiat Grande Punto

1.2 Active White 3dr

£1,000

Fiat Grande Punto

1.4 Active Euro 4 5dr

£1,150

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The Grande Punto handles well, with good body control and ample grip though corners. The ride is a little too firm at low speeds, and can cause the car to fidget over poorly surfaced roads. However, at higher speeds the ride does improve.

Fiat has equipped the Grande Punto well, with electric front windows, remote central locking, a CD player, ABS and ISOFIX child seat mounting points as standard. The driving position isn't perfect, but the controls are well laid out and the cabin has a durable feel. Unfortunately, owners don't rate the car's reliability very highly, and it has performed badly in previous JD Power satisfaction surveys.

Our recommendations

Which used Fiat Grande Punto should I buy?

The five-door models give the best access to the spacious rear, but the three-door models aren't particularly compromised. The five-door typically costs between £300-500 more, depending on the model.

There's a wide range of petrol engines to choose from. These include a 1.0-litre, that's weak and noisy, an eight-valve1.4, which is better, but not perfect, and a 1.4 16v, which is smooth and refined but needs to be revved a little harder. There's also a turbo charged 1.4-litre T-Jet with 120bhp, and an Abarth version with 153bhp. Diesel options are the 1.3-litre, with either 75bhp or 90bhp; and a 1.9-litre with 130bhp. The first two are refined, quiet and worth considering, but the last suffers from excessive turbo lag.

Dynamic trim is a good bet and comes with alloy wheels, air-conditioning, steering wheel-mounted stereo controls, and an MP3-compatible stereo. The Dynamic Sporting is essentially the same car, but with foglights, a body kit and rear spoiler. In mid-2008 the range was revised and the Dynamic Sporting was replaced with GP trim. All models from this date onwards came with a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.