Fiat Grande Punto (2006 – 2009) Review

Fiat Grande Punto (2006 – 2009) At A Glance

4/5

+Well-equipped. Good-looking and roomy hatch that's fun to drive. Five-star crash test rating.

-You have to lift luggage over a high load sill in the boot.

Insurance Groups are between 6–19
On average it achieves 90% of the official MPG figure

Back in the 1970s, Fiat's advertising strategy was summed up in one word - brio. Every advertisment, every poster and every commercial told you the cars were as fun-loving as the Italians.

Then along came a change of strategy: "Built by Robots". Fiat's market share began to slide. And despite some decent cars, like the Tipo, Uno and the original Punto, Fiat was forever having to unload stock onto rental fleets to get it shifted.

Recenty, Fiat got back into "brio" with the Panda. No other small, cheap car has as much character or is as much fun to drive. There's a new UK MD, Giulio Salamone. Fiat customer care is being completely overhauled. Biggest surprise of all is how good the new Grande Punto is.

For £8,495 you can have the same car with a 75PS Multijet diesel engine and 5-speed box. For £10,195 you can have a 90PS Multijet with 6 speed box and more luxurious ‘Dynamic' spec that includes air-conditioning, leather steering wheel, front side and window airbags and alloy wheels. So the top versions only just encroach on list prices for the most basic Focus.

The one and only criticism is that, to achieve the car's excellent torsional rigidity, the hatchback sill is quite high. No good for dogs to jump over, for example. And impossible to load something like a mobility scooter.

The 90PS Multijet and 6-speed box are perfectly matched It pulls like a little train, revs sweetly and, because it's a very small, alloy block engine, the car remains agile unlike the usual ‘lump in the front' diesel.

Real MPG average for a Fiat Grande Punto (2006 – 2009)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

90%

Real MPG

28–74 mpg

MPGs submitted

397

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

My Fiat Grande Punto is having various electric problems - any ideas before I go mad?

"My Fiat Grande Punto is having various electric problems, from headlights not working to headlights coming on when I've not got the key in the ignition (solved by turning the heater off). Any ideas before I go mad?"
Check all fuse boxes for any sign of corrosion/loose connections as this may be the problem.
Answered by Alan Ross

Fiat Grande Punto gearbox problems

"I find that sometimes it's difficult to change gear in my Fiat Grande Punto (2008). Either I can't push the lever into the next gear - especially third to second - or it crunches on third to fourth. My local Fiat dealer can't diagnose the problem and recommended a new clutch (£500). Do you think a new clutch would fix the problem?"
Reads as if the synchromesh cones have worn. You should anyway increase revs when changing down to give a smoother change and prevent damage to the synchromesh cones.
Answered by Honest John

Panoramic sunroof damaged in accident, but insurers won't pay

"My 2009 Fiat Grande Punto was hit in a rear end collision. The car has a panoramic sunroof, which was fully opened at the time of the shunt. Prior to the incident it worked perfectly. Immediately after the crash I reported the situation with the sunroof being stuck open, as the insurance company said it was unsecurable because of this and the car would need to be collected immediately. The insurer took my car away for an assessment who have confirmed that both vessels need to be replaced, they did however also state in their opinion this damage could not have been caused by the crash. My insurance company has authorised the repair to the rear end but are refusing to authorize the sunroof repair because of this assessment. What should I do?"
Simply tell the insurers that if they don't fix the sunroof that was obviously damaged in the crash, then you will have it fixed professionally and will sue them in the small claims track of the county court for the bill because they have breached the "absolute good faith" term of your insurance contract.
Answered by Honest John

Should we keep or sell our Fiat Grande Punto?

"My partner has had a 2006 Fiat Grande Punto for the past six years and it has given good service for more than 50,000 miles. Recently it has started to give problems with the brake and clutch. Now the steering column needs repairing providing a lumpy bill. Would you advise she sticks with it for a couple more years or sell?"
The steering column power steering motor is prone to failure if full lock is used too often. Not a good idea to get it fixed then trade it in because the new PAS will probably last another eight years.
Answered by Honest John
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