If you want a middle-of-the-road, middle-of-the-range hatchback, you buy a Volkswagen Golf, like hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers across Europe. This is why the Golf is one of the biggest-selling cars of the past decade. So who buys a new Fiat Bravo?

The Italian company positioned the Bravo as the best-looking car in its class. Even that was open to debate and in no other area could it claim to lead the way unless, of course, it was available at a knock-down price — as it is today. Almost three years on from its introduction, a 150bhp turbodiesel Bravo costs less than £8,000, which undercuts rivals by a healthy margin.

The Bravo was available only as a five-door hatchback and came with the choice of petrol or diesel power. A ¬1.4-litre petrol engine, either with or without turbocharged forced induction, provided a choice of 90bhp, 120bhp or 150bhp, while the 1.9-litre diesel produced 120bhp or 150bhp.

Low-mileage users would be well advised to consider the petrol engines, as they are free-revving and lively yet still capable of 40mpg with a gentle right foot. Better still, they are cheaper than their diesel brothers.

If muscle in the middle of the rev range is your thing, then opt for the 1.9-litre diesel. The 150bhp unit transforms what is a relatively small car into a stealth dragster (it must be good: Alfa Romeo uses the same engine to propel the pretty GT coupé).

The Bravo’s interior is one of its best features. Soft-touch, good-quality plastics abound, and the dials and gauges bear more than a passing likeness to those on more upmarket Alfa Romeos.

Equipment levels are also impressive. Even the basic Active model comes with air-conditioning, electric front windows, remote central locking and adaptive airbags. Spend about £600 more and a second-hand Dynamic model adds alloy wheels, dual-sided climate control, cruise control and refrigerated storage under the front arm-rest. All this combined with decent space, comfortable seats and a generous 365-litre boot should put the Bravo ahead of its competition.

It doesn’t. The Bravo falls short of being the class leader because of its lacklustre driving characteristics. The overly light power steering and hard suspension make it a less comfortable experience than it should be, and the tendency for some owners to select 17-inch rims and low-profile tyres simply makes the ride harsher. All of which means the Bravo can easily become a case of style over substance.

But for the huge number of drivers who care more about price, space and equipment than dynamic perfection, the Bravo makes a sensible purchase.

Reliability and servicing

All Bravos require servicing once a year or every 18,000 miles, whichever is sooner — for cars registered after 2008 the mileage limit is 21,000 miles. Service prices climb as the car gets older: a 36,000-mile service will set you back about £400 while the cam belt change required at 72,000 miles, or after five years, pushes that bill to £650.

Prices for tyres and brakes are on a par with rivals. A minor service costs £135-£165, a main one £410.

Residuals

Fiat residual values have always been a problem. The Bravo suffers the same plight, losing its value faster than the best in class during its first three years or 30,000 miles. Of course, if you are buying second-hand, the price fall works in your favour. As a Bravo approaches its third birthday and with about two-thirds of its value wiped out, the rate of decline eases, making it no worse than most other cars you could care to consider.

Diesel models remain the best bet for long-term investment while the 1.4-litre petrol is proving popular among young drivers courtesy of its peppy engines and modest insurance rating.

 

Check the following:-

Bumpers
Colour-coded bumpers look great but are prone to scuffs and chips

Engine
New 1.6- and 2-litre diesels joined the line-up in 2008, producing 120 and 165bhp respectively. A 105bhp 1.6-litre Eco diesel was also introduced

Gearbox
Fiat’s Dualogic semi-automatic gearbox was introduced in some petrol and diesel models in June 2008. Expect to pay a premium of about £300 over the manual

Safety
Bravo scores five, three and two stars for adult, child and pedestrian safety respectively in Euro NCAP tests

Steering
Dash-mounted button lightens power steering while parking

Wheels
All but base models are blessed with attractive alloys, but be wary of 18in rims that can create a harsh ride


 

Figures based on CAP February 2010 edition

 © Bumper Media Limited February 2010