Fiat Grande Punto
Price: from £7,485
For: Italian styling and image; the Multijet diesel engine; five-star NCAP crash test score; some great special offers
Against:Unconvincing quality; not particularly roomy; some irritating flaws
Check out that mini-Maserati front end: this is pretty chic for a mainstream small car. The Fiat Grande Punto is one of the classier-looking superminis - yet it's also one of the cheapest, once you notice the huge discounts on pre-registered and ex-demo cars, and look at independent retailers as well as Fiat franchises.
The cabin is not particularly well packaged or roomy - and details like the remote boot-release are irritating - but the low-set driving position gives a sporting feel and the boot is deep (once you manage to get in there).
Pick of the engines is the 1.3 Multijet diesel, but the 1.2 petrol is pretty sweet and much cheaper to buy. Most versions have six airbags, and the Grande Punto has scored the full five stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests with good results for child protection and pedestrian protection as well. It's smart and it's safe.
