Fiat Punto [2011-2014] User Reviews

I have test driven the punto 1.4 emotion and swift Vxi this morning.
Looks:  The punto is just amazing in looks with its Maserati derived head lamps and its sporty looks. Its quite a refresher from the swift which is very common
Interiors: Its just too good with the beige dashboard the steering wheel is very comfortable with the thumb grip and its very spacious in the rear and even has a good driving comfort
Performance: Well considering its weight i say its uhmm...ok cause its is very heavy which gives it a sluggish start but once u cross 3500rpm u feel it coming to life well this is only upto the 3ed gear after the 3ed gear its good enough. I asked the person who gave me the test drive about its mileage and he said that the customer feedback is about 11-12km/L which is not bad for a petrol engine and a massive body.
On comparison to swift VXi: I feel the punto beats the swift in everything except performance but the difference in performance is not that high infact at higher speeds like 60km/hr you will feel asthough your at 40km/hr wheras the swift feels faster which is good on fiats side
The quality of the parts are good infact i liked fiats quality more than the swifts
Oh and one more jaw droping thing the punto has an inbuilt blaupunkt system which sounds just tooo good
People i am in love with the punto and will mostly buy it on dasera and give it a good tune up to increase its pick up   
Amazingly styled, driving comfort and its also comfy for the rear passengersslightly sluggish due to its heavy weight and a turning radius of 5.25m

A first glance tells you the whole story.I want to buy the car. Exterior Grande is the ideal name for Punto.The Itallians now how to really bring out beauty in classic line.The Punto is one such example.The Grande Punto is simply gorgeous it simpliy does not have any bad angles. Rating: 9/10 Interior Classic interior.Punto is a fantastically specced car with solid interior feel.The cabin is like a cockpit.The front seats are really comfy but in the rear you will feel a tad cramped compared to Jazz and Fabia.Otherwise the comfort in the rear pretty good.Huge boot is an added bonus.The interior could have been better Rating: 7/10 Ride and Handling Defines the ride and handling of a hatch.A league of its own.A drive with accurate steering,prefect control,fantastic grip,dominating chassis define the Grande Punto.The high speed stabily is astonishing with no body roll present. Rating: 9/10 Engine,Gearing and Performance Grande Punto has the Fiat accliamed 1.3 MJD heart. The car is quite eager to drive in the city.On the highway the engine has to be pushed.Linea 90Bhp engine would have been the ideal choice for the car.Never the less the car is presurable to drive for a common man.The performance can be rated mediocre.Shorter grearing ratio for city driving. Rating: 7/10 Fuel Economy The Punto though heavy gives you a average of 20 Kmpl. Rating: 8/10 VFM At this price there is no other car which is better. Rating: 8/10 Conclusion A great option for those looking for something unique. Rating: 8/10Good FE,Italian Styling,Fantistically specced,Ride quality and Handling diferent league and ComfyPoor quality joining some areas,Tad cramped rear,Usb in glovebox,Right side fuel tank,Rear visibilit

Exterior:- The exterior of Punto has no match in its segment, rather it is one of the best looking cars in India. The front head lamp is beautifully placed giving car an edge in its designing and style. Protruded bonnet has made the car big in appearance than actually it is. The back side of the car is equally good. I would say Punto looks more appealing from the back. Tail lamps are well designed and placed. The best part what I felt is that every part and corner of the car is approachable with hands. This is good for those who wash their car on own. I have had Santro previous to this car but no such ease was experienced while washing it. Fiat has understood the nerves of the Indian customer and has served better to their needs. 

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort):- The interior of the Punto is OK. But it is very functional except dashboard. The designing of the dashboard despite heavy in appearance does not offer to use while driving in and putting things over it. Secondly, it is little over projected towards driver. However, after little irritation one easily gets adjusted. The driving position is good. Driver seat requires very little adjustment to get to use of it. The more important is that driving position always offers easeness and this accentuates confidence and enjoyment in driving. The back seat also offers good space for leg movement. If good seat cover is used then it enhances its functionlity. The boot space is adequate. 

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox:- I have driven 500 KM of Punto 1.2 in last three weeks after purchase. I live in Patna, Bihar. I have rarely been able to use fifth gear though ocassionaly 4th gear has been used. Uptil now I have not driven this car on highway. But this cannot prevent me to judge the car, though prima-facie, and one can understand the future behaviour of this car. Engine is silent and behaves well. I was hesitant initially that 68 bhp is not enough for this big car. I have been proved wrong. Nevertheless, I would admit that there should have been more power. I do not know but it seemed that Fiat has purposely designed this car for two or three tier Indian cities. Once you accelerate you would not be allowed to take off fast. But this did not mean that car is begging power. You need to be a gentleman while driving. There is no need to be panick in the city. You would not be allowed to. If you did you will suffer. You may harm someone but that will not end your misery. First gear is very short. Second one is irritatingly long. Third is alright. Fourth and fifth is delight. The car behaves well in heavy traffic. One is not required to press brake paddle always unlike Japanese and Korean cars. But you are left behind once traffic is cleared. Don't worry. Punto would not let you down. The silence of engince will let you know whom you are driving. You can take momentum thereafter.

The fuel average of Punto is 8-10 Km in my city with AC on/off. I think this will improve atleast by 2-3 Km after first service. But this fuel average I am getting upto maximum third gear while driving the car with rare use of fourth gear in my city. The gearbox of Punto is again execellent. The feel is nice.

Ride Quality & Handling:- Punto could excel in this department over  any car in this segment. Road behaviour is excellent. It takes more space to turn which is irritating in the crowded city. But this is a big car and peoples know about it. It is very competent to take bad roads. You do not feel shaky while crossing brakers or patholes. There also, car does not forget its gracious behaviour. You may feel proud after that. The car remains firm. On this count the car is very disciplined. 

Final Words:- Though it may be too early for me to give five star rating to Punto, but I would say that it is very much in that direction. I would give it high four or four and half considering all the parameters including price. At this price you can't get better. Punto1.2 is an excellent car for the city driving. It behaves well on the road except that sometimes it feels jercky. But that is immediately taken care of. The short gearing does well for further driving. The ride and handling is superb. Fuel average is OK but I think it is premature for me to say final words on this till I explore  the car after its first service. I certainly believe from behaviour uptil now that it will improve on all parameters including engine behaviour.

Areas of improvement:- Interiors could be improved, particularly dashboard and and back seat. Since Punto is a hatchback, the backseat could be little uplifted. Engine might be tuned to suit little more performence oriented. We have been used to driving Japanese and Korean cars and this could be a reason to adjust to an entirely difeerent car in its nature and behaviour. One thing is sure that Punto is a different car. It behaves different either in its presence or driving. Wheather people would like it or not I do not know. But everybody needs change and Punto is a better substitute.  

Look, Design and Style, Ride and Handling, Ease of Ingress and Outgress, Well BuiltDash Board not verry Functional, Average Interiors, Difficult to manuver under 2500 RPM

took a TD of the 1.4L Emotion pk a few days back. The dealer was really amiable, patient and spontaneous- all of which are hard to come by in The City of Joy
Even if you haven't cared to look into the tech specs of the car- you would figure out the moment you start rolling the car that it is outright heavy for a hatch. WIth the AC on, the car chugs along in the first and the second gear in the rev range 1-3.5k rpm. Once the car moves past 3500 rpm , it really moves. the engine springs to life and you start believing that the same mfgrs churned out an engine like the swift's. I haven't seen the power curve of the punto in india, but i have studied that of the uk one and one glance you can make out why the car is slow off its blocks. The power curve is hyperbolic and not linear. The peak power output is a flash in the pan. as a result for most of the rev range, an idealistic power expectd is around 82-85bhp. If you want to overtake, you MUST downshift and increase the rev range to somewhere near te 5k rpm, otherwise you would keep traling a 1990s mahindra jeep that are found in most police stations in india.
Once you decide to switch off the Ac, the car behaves a shade better. However the initial lethargy still oozes out . Gosh- you cant expect an engine churning out around 90-95NM(its nt 90-95 it is 115 is wht most of u will scream!!!!bt even thge torque curve is hyperbolic so realistically u wnt be getting more than this) to be pulling a car of 1150kgs weight. that is just stupidity. i dont know what the Fiat peple ahve in their minds but if the PALIO can have a 1.6 lt engine then the punto should definitely have it.maybe then they would not have been able to justify the killer pricing.
Nyways-back to the topic and the grand punto has a bit of body roll if you are taking corners above 60... so the best thing si to use the heaavenly brakes and downshift to bring it to a higher rev range and then take the corners :D :D :D
the exteriors of the car are just amazing. it is easily the best looking hatch in india right now. the interiors is a googly though. The features like Blue nd Me are brilinat , the BLaupunkt audio is nothing short of an in-car Bose , but then only standard black interiors doesnt fit well with the grand(e) exteriors. I at least feel beige should have been an option.interior space is also decent adn the AC is quite powerful
Overall a good car for the not-so scorchers. The features and looks are heavely for the price. if yoou want a scorcher, you migt go for the swift-but one caution-the interiors of the SWift are far below that of the punto's. even the sterio mounted control features of the punto outclass the swift.
i hope it helps ppl mk a choice. :)

in-car features, Brilliant looks, amazing boot spacequality of interior plastics, initial pickup

Hi Guys,

Today i clocked 1000 km on my 1.3 GP active white tiger:).1000 km in just five days ,you can imagine how much i love to drive it.I am writing this review for those who are in two minds to go for GP or not.My advice is to JUST GO FOR IT.There h'been a lot of talks about 1.3 diesel being sluggish, underpower,bla bla bla.But believe me i have yet to see any swifts,dezires,hondas to over take me on the higway.just to check the top speed i pressed the accel and in no time i could see 160km/hr on my speedo:),it was asking for even more but i could not gather enough courage to do so:(.Never lets me down in the most daring manuvers,which i could not attempt in my Alto or zen.All this with the bonus driving comfort,amazing suspension,steering and handling.Overall ,this is a car you would love to drive,every time you will turn off ignition ,you would dream about starting it again.

But as they say every happy journey has to end some time,today on my way back home while taking a "u" turn,a speedy biker smashed in the rear very hard,i was thinking of killing him but he could barely stand up.Got some dents near the fuel tank lid and some bruises on the bumper an rear door:(.Will take it to workshop tomorrow and get to know the so taked about after sale services of TATA as well:).I am writing this review with very broken heart:(,but there are always some things which are  beyond our control.But you guys just go to the showroom and book one for urslef:)

Good fuel economy, Good style,value for moneynothing yet

Exterior

 Exterior is quite good. The look of the car is awesome. I got delivery of this car, FIAT Punto 1.4 Emotion on 24th Aug.' 2009 (Regn. no JH01-AB-1225). I was looking for Honda Jazz. But the price of it disappointed me. Then I looked for Huyandai i20. But the same 1200 cc engine of i10 and that two at exorbitant price did not appeal to me. I have not even taken the test drives of these cars. Then came FIAT Grande Punto. I read in the internet, that it is one of the favourite cars in Europe and virtually turned the fortunes of FIAT. I was taken aback by the great sporty look of the car. I immediately took a test drive of the car. Engine is silent. But as it was a rainy day, and due to incessant rain, I abandoned the drive after running about 12 Kms. I took an another test drive on a shiny day and drove the car at a spped of 120 Km/hr on highway. I immediately took decision to own the car.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

 Interior is good though not great. Dual tone dash board / beige interiors would give more appeal to the car. Nevertheless, you can not expect more at such a reasonable price. I read in the reviews before buying the car that rear seat space is little cramped. But I never bothered for that because  I have small nuclear family and I shall be always on driver's seat. So drive quality mattered most to me. But subsequently,people rode in my car appreciated the space and never complained of rear space cramp.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

 Engine is very refined and quiet. You have to listen hard whether engine is on or not unless you look at dash board panel. Gear box is very smooth and gear throw is comfortable. I was never worried for fuel economy because my daily running is about 14-15 km. I never looked to compromise the joy of riding for the sake of fuel economy as I also own a 1998 model Maruti 800. Also I know in City condition, mileage of other small cars like alto, santro, i10, etc are only marginally better inspite of having less capacity engine. Also fuel economy depends on how you drive the car. I get an average of nearly 11 km/litre. In mixed condition, in driving 200 kms, (40 % in city and 60 % on highway) I got a mileage of 13.5 Km/litre. After first service the mileage improved a bit. Since purchase, I have have driven about 2600 Km.

Ride Quality & Handling

 Ride quality is excellent. Suspension system with telescopic damper is superior than other small hatch back cars.  The car springs to life as  revs passes 2000 rpm. And due to linear torque, frquent gear changing is not required. Even I don't have to shift to 2nd gear while crossing a bumper/speed breaker. I was amazed to see that you can comfortably drive the car at 20-25 km/hr in 5th gear. At high speed, the car is very steady as it is heavy having kerb weight as close as to that of a Honda City. The car does not kiss the road, it simply hugs the road.

Final Words

 If you want have a feeling of owning a luxury car but at a price of a hatch back, go for it.  You yourself drive it. You will discover the joy of  a bold new drive. As far as my experience goes, the staff are very cordial and amiable. I am satisfied with the service. Before purchasing Punto, I had taken feed back from my known Palio owners, whoc highly certified of Fiat cars.

Areas of improvement  

 Interiors particularly dash board can be improved with dual tone / beige. Steering wheel, gear shift knob should be leather wrapped in dynamic, emotion model.

 

Greater look, Solid build, excellent ride quality, Huge presence on roadIn accessories, body coloured side rubber door pad (Scratch guard) should be available

I have been having a palio and have been thinking of a new car since quite sometime(over a year) but was not really impressed with anything in the market within my range.
infact have researched carwale and mostly tbhp.
i do need to share my experience with  all and hope it helps.
i have seen the below cars:
Maruti (Swift, Dzire)
Chevrolet Aveo
Ford Ikon(diesel)
Ford Fiesta(Diesel & Petrol)
Hyundai(i10, i20, accent)
Tata(vista, Indigo CS, Manza)
Mahindra Renault(Logan)
Fiat(Punto, Linea)
Honda(City 2nd user)

my take on all the cars that i have seen as listed above:
Maruti - good cars and you can sleep peacefully as tried and tested.
GM - fantastic interiors(infact the best) but am not convinced about the value for money part and somehow missed the driving pleasure that i get out of my palio.
Ford - the diesel fiesta is really good and has good reports also but the diesel was way over my budget though the ikon diesel fits but somehow it feels that ford gives a very basic car compared to its peers and on the top of it they are probably a bit expensive to maintain.
Hyundai - good cars but nothing to really stands out for me to put my money.
Logan - good car but then the furture of mahindra - renault patnership is anyones guess.
Tata - good VFM cars but will really take time to get used to the interiors. also, i am not too convinced after 3-4 years the car will not be creaking at every turn, bump.
Fiat - being criving a palio so understandably i am a bit biased towards the fiats. really loved the linea but outside my budget and i really think this is the best car below 10 lacs.
i liked the punto and was happy fiat bought something which looks good but was extremely disappointed with the backseat space as the palio used to be the king in that category.
i had dismissed the punto idea completely purely for the matter of the backseat space. to cut a really long story short - i think this is the best car in the category it is in and the driving is really great. i for one have bought a 1.3 active and in blue colour. i can vouch for the fact that this car grows on you and this has kind of become an extension to me.



Exterior
excellent looks and expected fiat quality of paint and body. but they should have given more colours.


Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)
disappointing backseat space and commented as much by the people who normally sit in the back as they were used to a palio. glaring panel gaps. interiors give the feeling of too much plastic. fiat has given a large side to the windows where you can put your arm though this has reduced the interior space.


Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox
have got an FE of 14 in the city and a lot of it was bumper to bumper traffic. got 17 on highway+city drive of around 100kms. still to get my first service done. me happy !
a good weighted steering wheel.

Ride Quality & Handling
believe you me this car excels but then you expect that of a fiat.


Final Words
i would have loved to see the car in more colours(the linea red, the linea fox azzure). Overall this is a beauty to drive around and looks. Fiat have given the sides of the windows larger then usual to the point that i can comfortable put my elbow on that and drive though this has reduced the interior space. I personally like the long dashboard and the feeling of sitting in the cockpit. an extremely good car to drive and always a feeling of safety in fiats.


Areas of improvement  
two things - they need to increase the backseat space by a couple of inches and steal colours from the linea.

ride quality, driving pleasure and its bl00dy good lookingspace less then the palio

Hi folks!

Just two days back, I was fortunate enough to get behind the wheels of Fiat Grand Punto Multijet Emotion PK, thanks to a test drive arranged by M/s Lexus Motors of Kolkata at Haldia. This is no doubt a superb car. I am considering to buy one after disposing my old Esteem which has given me very good service for last seven yrs. This time I have decided to go for the diesel version since I seriously want to munch lot of miles in this car.

What I liked about the car are:

i. It feels really solidly built as compared to rattling tinshells made by Maruti.
ii. Excellent road grip.
iii. Overall feel good factor of the cabin along with the controls.
iv. One of the smoothest diesel power plants I have ever come across.
v. Decent cornering ability. It gives enough confidence to the devil inside me to hit the corners hard
vi. Excellent steering feel at all speeds. It feels great to hold.
vii. Unlike my old Esteem, road undulations are hardly transmitted through the steering wheel to the driver.

There are certain points I did not like:
i. The car feels sluggish at 50 Km/hr in 5th gear. For a decent pick-up you need to downshift to 3rd however the engine hardly complains about that it it looks eager to propel you faster beyond 2200 rpm
ii. Fit and finish of some plastic bits have scopes for improvement.
iii. Rear visibility is a problem and factory fitted parking sensors could have been a smart addition.

iv. I personally disliked the amber lighting of instruments and it became an eyesore over long night drives, Although I decided the buy the car after the test drive but now after getting the news of 90 BHP Punto launch, I have decided to wait for a trimmed down version of 90 BHP Punto, preferably in only Emotion trim or in Dynamic trim.

 

Solid built quality, cabin, style, ride and handlingInterior color, amber display, plastic fit and finish, performance below 2000 rpm

Hello

I got my Fiat Grande Punto Active 1.2L petrol on 15/11/2009, initially I booked Tata Indica Vista, but when I have seen this car I was stunned with its solid built, looks & finishing. Immediately I have decided to go for this only I have choosen the Medium Grey shade.

On very next day of purchase I had a long drive from Faridabad to Haridwar , one thisng I want to share the ride & handeling of this car is at par , I have taken the test drive for all the hatches available in India but its the best.

Thanks to mileage indicator ,I got 17kpl on highways & 14-15 in city remember I have not crossed 80KM/H & mostly I drive at constant speed, I am not a cruzing guy to check the 0-60Km mark, so I got this mileage but this is also very good mileage for such big car.

I am satisfied with the performance.

Good fuel economy, ride quality, style & comfortrear tail light , availability of spares, AC