...there is no contest: the Panda trounces the Punto!

I have a hire car for a few days and thought the Punyo would be an interesting choice and in any case I needed a much bigger car than a Panda.

I was expecting to find the Punto would be better as it should benefit from the wider and longer wheel-base. However the Panda deals with ridges and bumps better and provides far more feedback at the wheel. Also, dare I say that whilst the (tiny) 4-pot in the Punto is sweet and smooth, the T/A feels more gutsy and would have needed fewer down-changes on some of the hills.

The Punto interior is very functional and quite spacious, however has little of the design flare that you get in the Panda.

It seams that FIAT can do very small cars exceptionally well, but struggles a bit as they get larger. Perhaps the 500L is an exception to that though with the current range.

All the best

My first car was my mums old M reg Punto SX70 it was a good car to drive although it did not have power steering but the opions that where put on the car - ABS brakes and passenger air bag ,I surpose now I'm back to the same fuel comp as the punto did 35-40 mpg ,but I like the power steering and having 6 gears ,I would like the back seat to fold forward so the back piece folds to make the total back area flat ,On the scrappage sceam I had £2000 for it bought my first Panda MJ 1.3 so now I have moved On

The more I drive the Panda and drive other cars the more exceptional I think it is and not just among small cars. I am finding myself using the Panda for fun as well as functional drives and even my Mrs takes it out in preference to her X3. Well done FIAT as you have pulled me back to my Italian car roots with this little motor