hi, I replaced a 97 sporting for my stilo abarth - the obvious differences for me being power available / delivery of power, and the level of kit / trim it is decked out with.
overall, from punto upto stilo should give noticable;
superior feel on motorway cruises,
larger car "feel" when sitting in as driver and / or passenger,
more toys as standard between like for like models,
a "newer" design, therefore more innovations / higher quality,
more rear room,
i kept the punto and have it in the garage, drove it last week for the first time in 2 months and wow, what a difference in overall feel. (a backwards step).
there may be more......