Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Fiat Punto hatchback (2012-2018)

"The Fiat Punto supermini is an affordable Ford Fiesta rival, but it’s based on older technology and hampered by a poor reputation for build quality"

Carbuyer Rating

1.9 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.1 out of 5

Read owner reviews

Pros

  • Low running costs
  • Comfortable ride
  • Cheap to buy

Cons

  • Poor used values
  • Based on dated technology
  • Zero-star safety rating from Euro NCAP

The Fiat Punto was once one of the best superminis you could buy, winning the Eupean Car of the Year award in 1995, but Fiat became slower at replacing each generation and the Punto began to lag behind the competition in terms of driving dynamics, efficiency and safety. Fiat instead focused its attention on the 500, Panda and Tipo models.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The last generation of the Punto was produced from 2005-2018 and over the years it was known as the Grande Punto, the Punto Evo and finally the Punto. During the car’s 13-year lifespan, the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa benefitted from complete redesigns and came to outclass the Punto in every department. As a result, the Punto depreciated heavily and can now be bought very cheaply on the used market.

Best small hatchbacks

Like many ageing models, the Punto’s once-wide range of engines and trims was reduced as its life went on. That meant the fun TwinAir petrol and diesel engines were dropped, leaving two fairly mediocre petrol engines in 1.2 or 1.4-litre guises. Neither could hold a candle to the latest turbocharged engines in the Punto’s rivals, but if you’re looking to pick up a later model of the Punto cheaply, we recommend the 1.4-litre.

Claimed fuel economy of around 50mpg is acceptable, but CO2 emissions of 124 and 132g/km aren’t competitive by modern standards. While that doesn’t make a difference to the road tax paid by private motorists – it’s £145 a year across the board for 2017-18 models - petrol Fiestas were more efficient, cheaper to run and better performers.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The driving experience lags behind rivals, too, although light steering and a compact size makes the Punto easy to drive around town. Soft suspension means it leans quite a lot when cornering, but it’s at least comfortable on a motorway drive.

Just two trims were available towards the end of production, Pop+ and Easy+. The more basic of the two features 15-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, a CD player with MP3 compatibility and a trip computer. The more expensive Easy+ added 16-inch alloy wheels, front foglights and tinted headlight clusters to enhance the car’s looks. The interior is improved with climate control, heated door mirrors, a leather steering wheel and gearknob, while a sat nav will help you get to your destination.

The five-door-only Punto has a decent amount of rear head and legroom, but its 275-litre boot is bettered by the 290 litres in the Fiesta and well behind the 330 litres in the Skoda Fabia.

Although the Fiat Punto hadn’t appeared in our Driver Power ownership satisfaction survey for several years, Fiat as a brand is showing signs of improvement. It placed 15th out of 30 manufacturers in 2019. Better news still for buyers of used Puntos, is that the extra long production run and older technology should mean the car will be relatively free from major problems and should be easier to repair if anything does go wrong.

When it comes to safety, the Punto has become an unfortunate symbol of just how far car development has progressed in recent years. Soon after its 2005 launch, Euro NCAP – the independent body that oversees crash-testing in Europe – awarded the Punto its maximum five-star rating. However, when subjected to 2017's far more rigorous tests, the Punto became the first car ever to be awarded a zero-star safety rating.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
15 Mar 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Porsche Panamera review – a tech-packed sports saloon
2024 Porsche Panamera front quarter dynamic
In-depth reviews
13 Mar 2024

Porsche Panamera review – a tech-packed sports saloon

Skoda Superb Estate review – a near-faultless, practical family car
Skoda Superb Estate Carbuyer drive
In-depth reviews
15 Mar 2024

Skoda Superb Estate review – a near-faultless, practical family car

More on Punto

Zero-star safety rating for Fiat Punto
News
13 Dec 2017

Zero-star safety rating for Fiat Punto

Euro NCAP consider Fiat’s aging supermini as ‘past its sell-by date’
Fiat Punto Jet Black 2 launched
News
1 May 2014

Fiat Punto Jet Black 2 launched

Special edition Punto gets lots of kit, but model's showing its age
Fiat Punto gets new specification
fiat punto sporting hatchback 2013 main
News
2 Aug 2013

Fiat Punto gets new specification

The Fiat Punto range has been updated, improving equipment and adding a new spec level
Skip advert
Advertisement
Fiat Punto Jet Black announced
News
16 Apr 2013

Fiat Punto Jet Black announced

The limited edition Fiat Punto Jet Black has been revealed, priced from £12,000.
Car deal of the week: Fiat Punto Easy
News
3 Apr 2013

Car deal of the week: Fiat Punto Easy

You can drive away in a brand-new Fiat Punto Easy for just £8,500

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
19 Dec 2023

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
12 Apr 2023

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
The best electric cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024