Fiat Bravo Hatchback 2007 - Present

Fiat have rather sensibly parked their unsuccessful small family effort, the Stilo. It never really captured the public's imagination and the sales were lacklustre at best. The small family car market in the UK is tough and demands that the cars on offer are too, and it looks like the Bravo is more up to the job than it's predecessor.

Inside the car is something of a let down as the materials look a little cheap and almost temporary. This is something of a contrast to the exterior which looks lean and modern. The corners are rounded and look like they'll cut through the air like a seal through the water. The roof is low but this is partly exacerbated by the fact that it's a long car, the longest in class we're reliably informed. The seating is a little cramped in the back with leg room being adequate but the slightly narrow body leaving shoulder room a bit of a pinch. It will be fine to take two kids in there but another one may be a bit of a squeeze. Room in the front is ample and the seats are both comfortable and supportive. The display is a distinctive orange which took a little getting used to but soon felt natural and easy on the eye.

The engines come in two sizes, either 1.4 Petrol or 1.9 diesel. There are however three different options for the petrol option and two for the diesel unit. The entry level petrol is the normally aspirated 1.4 which is frankly too slow to be that much fun. You won't be shouting ‘bravo' when it takes 12.1seconds to get to 60 mph. The other petrol options both feature turbocharged engines which offer sub nine second 60 mph figures. All of the petrol engines return around 40 mpg fuel figures and the diesel's give back about 10 more. The 150 bhp diesel engine is the pick of the bunch with 50 mpg and 130 mph top speed. The engine options will give you good bargaining room with the dealers.

When behind the wheel of the Bravo you'll be unsurprised with any of the cars performance. It steers well and handles in a pretty neutral manner which is safe but it's a little numb. The power steering removes most of the feel of the road and emphasises the feeling of numbness that is engendered by driving the car. There's not anything wrong but it's just more sanitised than I was expecting from an Italian thoroughbred.

The Bravo is a sizable stride forward form the Stilo which it has replaced and offers some decent facilities. It's not quite enough to race into the best buys list but does offer a viable alternative. It will provide some families with a great car but enthusiasts will probably be thinking about another car as they drive it.

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