Fiat Punto Evo

    Autocar score 6

    Fiat Punto Evo

    Autocar score 6
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    The Punto Evo is Fiat’s long-standing hatchback. It’s been around since 2009 and the last major facelift was a few years ago. Feature updates have helped keep it with the times but the fact is that the Punto Evo is well past its prime. The Fiat Punto Evo is available in petrol-manual and diesel-manual versions.

    Fiat Punto Evo latest updates

    The Punto Evo is Fiat’s long-standing hatchback. It’s been around since 2009 and the last major facelift was a few years ago. Feature updates have helped keep it with the times but the fact is that the Punto Evo is well past its prime. The Fiat Punto Evo is available in petrol-manual and diesel-manual versions.

    Fiat Punto Evo key specifications

    Fiat Punto Evo Price NAPriceFiat Punto Evo Range/Mileage 15.8kplMileageFiat Punto Evo Engine Capacity/Motor Type 1172ccEngineFiat Punto Evo Transmission ManualTransmissionFiat Punto Evo Fuel type PetrolFuel typeFiat Punto Evo Seating Capacity 5 SeaterSeating Capacity

    Fiat Punto Evo expert reviews

    We like

    • Tough build
    • Ride and handling

    We don’t like

    • Feels old
    • Weak petrol engine

    Fiat Punto Evo Overview

    The Fiat Punto has evolved and aptly, the carmaker is calling it the Punto Evo. Fiat has given the Punto a brand new face that’s exclusively styled for the Indian market, and it looks more ‘Italian’ than ever. The Punto was always a very good-looking hatch but it had its shortcomings.

    The Punto Evo looks significantly more attractive than the standard Punto. Elements such as the new, swept back headlamps, in particular, are gorgeous and, along with the mild power bulges on the bonnet, serve to make the Punto Evo the most striking hatchback in the country. Adding to its fantastic looks is the all-new grille, outlined by a tastefully crafted thin strip of chrome. At this point, you should know that the nose of this new Punto Evo has been designed specifically for India and draws heavily from the Fiat Avventura concept showcased at the Auto Expo 2014. What Fiat hasn’t fiddled with is the basic body shell, which means the near-perfect proportions of the Punto remain intact, and a new set of shoes is the only real noticeable change when viewed in profile. However, at the rear, you’ll find nicely crafted clear lens tail lamps that employ LED elements and chrome insets on the bumper and mimic dual exhaust ports.

    In our earlier reviews, we have criticised the Punto’s cabin that it didnt give as contemporary or a premium feel as some if its rivals, especially Hyundai. Fiat has fixed that issue and given the Punto Evo a brand-new cabin that has been borrowed from the facelifted Linea, and the interiors definitely look a lot more upmarket now. Fiat is trying to reinvent its image in India after the Italian carmaker parted ways with Tata. The Punto Evo is a very important car in its portfolio, and depending on the customer response, could help Fiat find a firm footing in our market again.

    Fiat Punto Evo Page 2

    Particularly great is the tastefully textured soft plastic section on the front of the dashboard. Design wise, the earlier Punto’s angular theme has made way for a much curvier unit borrowed again from the facelifted Linea. The all-black dash you see here is restricted to the more powerful ‘Sport’ trims (both petrol and diesel), while the rest follow a dual-tone black-beige theme. From behind the wheel, the hooded instruments look fantastic and are very easy to read on the go. But, for all these visible improvements, the Punto Evo’s cabin still has a few grouses. The driving position still follows the ‘steering-close-to-chest’ posture and is hard to get right. Before setting off to Lonavala, I found that adjusting the steering to its lowest and the seat almost all the way up gives me an acceptable stance behind the wheel (I’m 5’10"). Also, some plastics such as the ones around the doors are still of the hard variety and general levels of fit are still short of the segment benchmark.

    Like earlier, the sportier Puntos get better bolstered and firmer front seats, though comfort is quite good across the board. Unfortunately, rear seat space is still not as generous as rivals but you now get a rear AC vent with an integrated bottle holder. Speaking of features, the Evo gets climate control, Microsoft powered ‘Blue and Me’ Bluetooth connectivity and steering-mounted audio controls.

    Under the hood, there’s still two pairs of petrol and diesel motors to choose from. So, you have an option between a 67bhp 1.2 petrol, a 89bhp 1.4 petrol and a 1.3 Multijet diesel in two states of tune – 75bhp and 90bhp. I had a go in the 75bhp Punto first to see how the lower powered version fares during the climb up to Lonavala. Interestingly, Fiat has tweaked the final drive on the 75bhp diesel to aid driveability; makes the first gear a bit taller to reduce the number of brief first-to-second shifts. And I did notice the need for lesser gearshifts while crawling out of the city. However, as the road opens up outside Mumbai, the 75bhp Punto’s mechanical package still lacks punch (especially with four on board) and you have to work the gearbox to constantly keep the engine spinning between 2000 and 3800rpm, where it doesn’t feel completely out of breath. And, it’s more of the same on the 90bhp version as well. There’s not much power to play with below 2500rpm and the lag feels far more pronounced than similar powered motors like the new 1.5-litre Volkswagen Polo’s. And the engine doesn’t do much justice to the ‘Sport’ moniker.Much like the diesels, the petrols won’t get your pulse racing either, which is a bit unfortunate given just how brilliantly planted the Punto feels at speed and around the bends.

    Fiat Punto Evo Page 3

    Ride and handling remain the forte of the Punto. The Evo carries over the same superbly weighted hydraulic steering and grip levels are simply amazing. And apart from some body-roll due to the massive SUV-like 195mm on the petrol Punto and 185mm on the diesel, the Evo stays surefooted. The 195/55 tyres and well-judged suspension mean the worst of roads don’t faze the Punto; a boon on our roads. So while it isn’t the quickest hatch, the fact that you don’t have to slow down much for every crack on the road means it’s a great tool for covering distances quickly.

    By the end of the day, it was clear that the Punto Evo has retained the traditional strengths of the Punto and improved upon almost all of its shortcomings. So, the Punto in Evo avatar looks hot from the outside, quite swanky on the inside and rides superbly well. It’s also reasonably good to drive if outright performance is not high on your agenda. However, what it’s not is the most spacious, premium or best equipped of the hatchbacks. While it’s hard to ignore the Punto Evo’s less strong points, it’s equally hard to argue against the Punto’s sheer appeal. 

    Now, the price. The new Fiat Punto Evo petrol starts at a competitive Rs 4.55 lakh and goes up to Rs 6.66 lakh for the top-spec variant that also packs a more powerful 1.4-litre engine (in place of the 1.2-litre motor). The diesel Punto starts at Rs 5.27 lakh and goes up to a Rs 7.2 lakh for the more powerful 89bhp Sport trim. While the top-trims may look a bit on the pricier side, the Punto Evo’s stylish design does well to justify the price tag. We only wish the engines packed a bit more punch. 

    Fiat Punto Evo features and specifications

    Our Rating
    6
    Fuel Type
    Petrol
    Engine Displacement
    1172 cc
    Body Style
    Hatchback
    Doors
    5
    Seats
    5
    Airbags
    0
    Max Power
    68hp at 6000rpm
    Max Torque
    96Nm at 2500rpm
    Gearbox Type
    5-speed Manual
    Warranty Distance
    100000 km
    Warranty Duration
    3 Years
    Dimensions
    Engine/Motor
    Transmission
    Fuel Economy Range
    Suspension
    Steering
    Wheels and Tyres
    Brakes
    Performance as Tested
    Safety
    Exterior
    Seats and Upholstery
    Infotainment
    Comfort and Convenience
    Instrumentation
    View all specifications

    Fiat Punto Evo variants and price

    Variants
    Price On road price
    Compare
    Fiat Punto Evo 1.3 Multijet Emotion 1248cc | Manual | Diesel | 20kpl
    NA
    Fiat Punto Evo 1.3 Multijet Dynamic 1248cc | Manual | Diesel | 20kpl
    NA
    Fiat Punto Evo 1.3 Multijet Active 1248cc | Manual | Diesel | 20kpl
    NA
    Fiat Punto Evo 1.2 Fire Dynamic 1172cc | Manual | Petrol | 15.8kpl
    NA
    Fiat Punto Evo 1.2 Fire Pure 1172cc | Manual | Petrol | 15.8kpl
    NA

    Fiat Punto Evo comparison

     
    Fiat Punto Evo NA Autocar India rating for Fiat Punto Evo 6
    Maruti Suzuki Swift ₹ 5.78 - 10.16 lakh Autocar India rating for Maruti Suzuki Swift 8
    Volkswagen Polo ₹ 6.53 - 10.93 lakh Autocar India rating for Volkswagen Polo 7
    Engine
    1172-1248 cc
    Engine
    1197-1248 cc
    Engine
    1197-999 cc
    Mileage
    15.8-20 kpl
    Mileage
    22-28.4 kpl
    Mileage
    17.21-21.49 kpl
    Fuel Type
    Diesel,Petrol
    Fuel Type
    Diesel,Petrol
    Fuel Type
    Diesel,Petrol
    Airbags
    Yes
    Airbags
    Yes
    Airbags
    Yes
    Transmission
    Manual
    Transmission
    AMT Auto,Manual
    Transmission
    Manual,Dual-Clutch Auto

    Fiat Punto Evo mileage

    Fiat Punto Evo mileage starts at 15.8 kpl and goes up to 20 kpl.The Fiat Punto Evo Petrol engine mileage is 15.8 kpl.The Fiat Punto Evo Diesel engine mileage is 20 kpl.

    Fuel TypeDisplacementTransmissionMileage
    Petrol1172ccManual15.8kpl
    Diesel1248ccManual20kpl

    Fiat Punto Evo quick review

    The Fiat Punto Evo is a good-looking hatchback. It, however, doesn’t look quite as special on the inside today and the known Punto weaknesses of an awkward driving position and inconsistent plastic quality persist too. It’s not the roomiest of cars either.
    Of the engines, the 68hp, 1.2-litre petrol is dull and uninspiring while the 93hp, 1.3 diesel has a strong mid-range but also lots of low-speed turbo lag. The diesel engine is also rather loud and feels outdated. That said, the Punto Evo has some genuine strengths too, such as its great handling and good ride. It also feels tough in its build.

    Fiat Punto Evo : our choice

    For the price of a Fiat Punto Evo you could get yourself a newer, better-equipped and more modern hatchback. But if this is the car for you, we’d recommend you pass on the petrol and go for the stronger and more efficient diesel Punto Evo. And it would do you well to choose the top-spec Emotion trim. Sure, it gets modern amenities like a touchscreen infotainment system but it’s our pick for being the only one of the diesels to offer dual airbags and ABS.

    Fiat Punto Evo images

    Fiat Punto Evo colours

    The Fiat Punto Evo offers a variety of color options. Fiat Punto Evo is available in a range of 6 colors. The colors offered in Fiat Punto Evo are Bossanova White, Minimal Grey, Magnesio Grey, Hip Hop Black, Bronzo Tan and Exotica Red.

    Fiat Punto Evo Image
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