Review of the new Fiat Bravo 1.6 Multijet 16v

There are cars that achieve repute despite being fairly unexceptional and then there are cars like Fiat's Bravo. Inexplicably overlooked by British buyers, Fiat's middleweight is a class act. Powered by a 1.6-litre Multijet 16v diesel engine, it's one of the greenest cars in its class and one that can face down the established favourites.

It's rare that you'll get into a car these days and be particularly surprised. Buyers these days are a canny bunch, well attuned to the achievements and culture of various car companies. They bring with them a level of expectation which the manufacturers attempt to exceed. Fiat buyers have come to expect a bit of personality, some occasional build flakiness and a fun drive but the latest Bravo doesn't conform. It's not up and in your face and it's built like a rock. With the latest 1.6-litre 16v Multijet diesel engine, it's an eminently sensible purchase.

In making the Bravo more mainstream and a little more buttoned-down, has Fiat rather lost its spark? Anything but. With some of the sharpest styling in its class, this Bravo doesn't make you suffer for choosing a sharp Italian suit.

This 1.6-litre diesel engine is offered in two discreet power outputs of 105 or 120bhp, the difference between the two units being the turbochargers. The lower power unit gets a fixed vane turbo while the 120bhp powerplant gets the benefit of a variable geometry blower. The difference is 0-60mph in 10.2s compared to 11s for its 105bhp sibling and top speeds of 121 and 116mph respectively. Those who know the Fiat brand well will recognise that Fiat already has a 120bhp diesel engine, the 1.9-litre Multijet, but this newer 1.6-litre unit is vastly superior.

Both engines are fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox and torque figures are 290Nm at 1500ropm for the 105bhp engine and 300Nm for the 120bhp car, that torque output superior to something like a Subaru Impreza WRX. Fiat's Dualdrive electrical steering assistance is fitted, which lightens the steering around town and at parking speeds by pressing a button on the dashboard. A bit more feel at higher driving speeds would be welcome however, but it's worth noting despite the overtaking punch of the diesel engine, this Bravo is not a particularly sporty drive.

"Fuel consumption figures for the Bravo Multijet 1.6 16v are something quite special."

It's easy to forgive the Bravo any minor shortcomings when you walk round the car, taking in its beautifully integrated detailing and elegant proportions. Many five door hatches are about as beguiling as the prospect of an evening spent creosoting your mother-in-law's fence, but the Bravo is different. Just as the Grande Punto added a touch of the exotic to the supermini class, the Bravo does the same for cars the next size up. If size is everything to you, the Bravo may well disappoint. Ford spent millions on making the Focus fit virtually anybody but Fiat hasn't spent that sort of budget on the Bravo and as such, it's far tighter than the Ford in the back although there's a decent amount of luggage space in that curved rump.

The interior feels very well built. Bright finish plastics lift the cabin and the controls are easy to figure out without recourse to the manual. It all looks agreeably Italianate as well, even if this is a clever facade. Fiat has really got the hang of the whole soft-touch dashboard moulding in recent years and the Bravo's supple, textured finish wouldn't look out of place in an Audi.

The big draw for family buyers is undoubtedly the amount of safety gear Fiat has packed into this car. Winner of a coveted five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating, the Bravo sits squarely at the top of its category with a total of 33 points on the NCAP scorecard. It's the product of over 60 crash tests, 15,000 hours of computer simulations, 150 simulations with a crash sled and more than 100 crash tests on components and subsystems. The Bravo features two front airbags, two front side bags, two window bags and a knee airbag for the driver.

ABS anti-lock braking with electronic brakeforce distribution and the latest generation ESP stability control system should prevent the worst coming to the worst. The ESP system includes functions such as anti-slip regulation (ASR) to limit wheelspin in slippery conditions, and engine torque regulation which prevents the driven wheels locking up during rapid downshifts. Hydraulic brake assist boosts pedal pressure in emergency situations and there's even a hill-holder function to take the faff out of hill starts.

Fuel consumption figures for the Bravo Multijet 1.6 16v are something quite special. The more powerful 120bhp car will still average 57.6mpg, will get 44.8 miles from a gallon of derv around town and will stretch that gallon across 68.8 miles on a motorway journey. The 105bhp model achieves similar figures but an Eco pack is offered with taller gearing, better aerodynamics and low rolling resistance tyres to stretch that motorway figure still further to an almost unbelievable 74.8mpg. This Bravo is also the first car in its class to comply with stringent Euro 5 emission regulations, well ahead of the 2009 deadline.

With carbon dioxide emissions of just 119g/km, it's a car that is congestion charge-friendly and will instantly make the shortlists of many company car user choosers as a result. The Fiat Group has pledged to become the leading manufacturer in terms of weighted average CO2 levels with a clear target for 2012. The company is currently among the top performers in Europe in this regard with an average across their product range of just 144g/km but this figure excludes the cars of group member Ferrari.

Drive the Fiat Bravo 1.6 Multijet and you'll doubtless emerge rather puzzled. Why do we not see more of these things on the road? The attractions would appear to be compelling. It's the best looking car in its class, it's got possibly the best diesel engine, it's well built, it's inexpensive to run and it's respectably practical. Pricing is keen and it's bang up to date in terms of its green credentials. The downsides? The dealer network still has some work to do and the Bravo's dynamics are safe rather than scintillating.

Perhaps buyers attracted to Fiat dealers in the first instance are looking for something with a bit more Latin brio than the rather stolid Bravo can generate. That being said, if you're thinking of a Volkswagen Golf, a Honda Civic or a Peugeot 308, you'll probably find a visit to a Fiat showroom rather illuminating.

TOP 5 BRAVO DEALS

The results below show the top BRAVO deals on buyacar

Fiat Bravo 1.4 Dynamic 5dr Hatchback
Price £13,059 Read Bravo Reviews	Save £3,136
Fiat Bravo 1.4 T-Jet 120 Dynamic 5dr Hatchback
Price £14,000 Read Bravo Reviews	Save £2,795
Fiat Bravo 1.6 Multijet 120 Dynamic 5dr Dualogic Diesel Hatchback
Price £15,795 Read Bravo Reviews	Save £3,305
Fiat Bravo 1.4 Multiair 140 Sport 5dr Hatchback
Price £14,866 Read Bravo Reviews	Save £3,029
Fiat Bravo 1.6 Multijet Dynamic Eco 5dr Diesel Hatchback
Price £15,084 Read Bravo Reviews	Save £3,116
VIEW MORE DISCOUNT BRAVO DEALS