Customer Review on Fiat Grande Punto

While I was looking for a comfortable hatchback, my daughter also demanded for a separate car. But then my budget didn’t allow me to purchase two cars at a time. Therefore finally we decide to share one car which directly meant that my daughter would equally participate in purchase decision. This is how Punto came in our potential purchase contenders and then finally arrived in our garage.

When I went with my daughter to have first look at Punto; I was literally surprised by the design of the car. And this is one of the crucial reasons why my daughter was biased towards it. Exterior design including the wheels, arches and dimensions are as well balanced as they could be. In fact I couldn’t able to find any angle from which I could call it undesirable; even by mm margin. Front face has the capability to arrest any body’s attention and though there are some more Puntos on the road our car continue to be in the limelight wherever we go. In addition, the car feels very solid with doors having a thud sound which assures you every time about the invincible nature of the car.

In contrast to exterior, interiors of the cars have to go some way before it matches the legacy of the outer design. Though there are many quality bits inside the cabin; the real problem lies with the way these things have been stitched together. There are visible panel differences and these are quite glaring in nature. Space proposition is about average as car provides good room at front while the rear seat adjustments could have been better. Also the head room is not very generous at the back.

Similarly engine and performance is mediocre. Though my daughter doesn’t complain about it because of her driving mainly confined to city, I have felt this fair to middling performance aspect on highways. Engine needs to be revved hard in order to successfully overtake. Though engine performance is average, ride and handling aspect is just about exceptional. There is nothing that can take away the composure of this Italian horse.

On the efficiency front Punto falls short of my expectations with 12.2 km/l overall mileage figure. Similarly the rear wind screen is not very large and glass area is very small in contrast to overall dimensions of the car. Ideal driving position though can be found easily the visibility aspect is hampered severely by the strong butt of the car. I wish designers were taken care of the driver convenience.

My Wishlist:

• Small engine big car no wonder it does not have legs – Can Fiat do something about it.

• AC performance should be enhanced. In peak summers, sometimes AC feels inadequate to chill the voluminous car.

• Luggage space could have come with better management. Presently it is heavily invaded by the suspension towers.

• Better utilization of inside space along with better fit and finish would make the Punto more desirable.

• Some thousands of price reduction would be a welcome move.