The Most Suitable Car Under 5 Lacs Price Tag

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