Fiat Punto

Punto's basic design has been around since 1994 - although refreshed many times - yet it's still a top supermini choice with a particularly youthful image helping make it popular with buyers. The most recent facelift has taken a step towards a more mature look. It's cheap to buy, no-hassle to own, well specced and has a range of willing and economical engines. The downsides are relatively heavy depreciation, a so-so dealer network and a patchy reputation for reliability.

16V, SPORT, HGT,JTD

Punto Active comes with central locking, twin airbags, CD player, electric front windows, and from July 2004 ABS. Active Sport adds alloy wheels and sports front seats. Dynamic has air conditioning, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, and remote central locking. Eleganza adds automatic climate control, upgraded cloth trim and side airbags, while the Sporting has larger alloys than the Eleganza.

1.9 HGT