by David Levy 23 January 2012
Fiat has earned a reputation as one of the most successful small-car manufacturers in history. From the 500 to the Uno, the Italian automotive giant has become synonymous with small and perky city-cars that are fun to drive and easy to live with. The Punto was launched in late 1993 as the latest in this long line of small and smart Italian automobiles. It has since become one of the biggest selling models Fiat have ever produced and arguably the most profitable. The fifth generation Grande Punto was an attempt to build on the overall success of the Punto range but with improved build quality, styling and specification. 
Upon its launch in 2006, the all new Punto certainly stood apart from many of its contemporaries as well as the models own predecessors. The clean cut styling of the original Punto was one of the cars strongest features. Unfortunately subsequent models became increasingly more staid and predictable in their appearance. Like the original model, the 2006 Grande Punto was designed by Giorgetto Giugiari who gave the car a sleek finish more typically associated with Alfa Romeo than the generally more family orientated Fiat range. In 2012, the design may not be as striking as it was six years ago, but is still visually appealing none the less and has certainly stood the test of time. 
Build quality has been an enduring bugbear with Italian cars, the Fix It Again Tomorrow jokes still resonant in many cases. However, with the Grande Punto Fiat have made a concerted effort to eliminate some of the flimsiness which dogged previous incarnations. The doors ‘clunk’ shut with a solidity not typically associated with Italian cars. There is also a very noticeable improvement in interior fit and finish, with higher quality plastics and firm seats. The simple functionality of the radio/CD system, complete with finger-tip controls on the steering wheel, as well as excellent all-round visibility, makes the Grande Punto driving experience more in line with some more upmarket rivals from manufacturers such as Volkswagen and Toyota. In fact, the main niggle I encountered testing this car was the irritatingly small cup holders! 
Thankfully, the designers of the Grande Punto have maintained some of the quintessentially Italian features that Fiat and Alfa drivers tend to be so fond of. The suspension is quite firm and sporty for a family hatchback, the steering responsive but not overly so. Initial acceleration from the 1246cc diesel engine which powered the model I drove was sapped from turbo-lag. However, once in the higher rev range the Punto performs well and is more than capable of holding its own either on suburban runs or long haul dual carriageway driving. 
The Grande Punto also continues to provide excellent fuel economy. The 1.3 Multijet engine returns an average of 60-65mpg/6l per 100 km. While an engine with small cubic capacity does have its drawbacks, there are also important positives in this regard, namely lower road tax and potentially smaller insurance premiums. The Punto has traditionally been a favourite amongst young learner drivers, therefore safety is an obvious concern. With dual front and side curtain airbags as well as numerous other state of the art safety features, the 2006 Punto received a five-star NCAP rating.
The fifth-gen Punto represented a step upmarket for one of Fiat’s most successful models, raising the bar in terms of styling and refinement.
However, it also retained many of the defining features which made the Punto such a popular choice for Irish motorists upon its release in 1993 and earned the original model the coveted European Car of the Year award in 1995. There were multiple engine/model specifications available in Ireland, with the 1.2 litre engine variant again the most popular. However, having driven the 1.3 litre Multijet diesel, I can honestly say it represents the best value in the Grande Punto range. The sheer volume of Punto’s on the market means that tidy low-mileage examples of the Grande Punto are currently trading for less than 5,000 euro. This represents excellent value for a car that is small yet stylish, fun yet frugal. In other words, everything would expect from the masters of the supermini.
