Fiat Idea

Performance

1.4-litre petrol runs through a six-speed gearbox providing revs and power. 70 and 90bhp diesels provide more torque than the petrol and are good cruisers.

Driving

Steering and body lean take the sheen off the drive, while the suspension struggles to cope with bigger lumps out of the road.

Feel

Lower-rated engines are noisy when pushed. Road and wind noise is generally suppressed.

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Price

Competitively prices with good fuel economy. Car will depreciate fairly heavily.

Quality

Mechanically there's no problems but the materials in the cabin look and feel cheap.

Safety

ABS and two airbags as standard. More bags, ISOFIX child seat mounting at higher specs. Traction control is an option throughout the range.

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Space

Plenty of room for passengers with sliding seats in the back. Rear seats also recline and can be folded, increasing the already-generous bootspace.

Equipment

CD player and central locking at entry-level. Aircon, climate controls, alloys and electric sunroof at higher specs.

Alternatives

Vauxhall Meriva, Daihatsu Sirion

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Pros

Loads of room for passengers and storage.

Cons

Feels cheap, doesn't drive well.

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