FIAT has hardly been a front runner in terms of customer satisfaction, but it is coming up fast on the rails.

The popularity of models together with consistent improvements in terms of quality, reliability and customer service, have helped move Fiat upwards in the recent JD Power satisfaction survey.

An overall 22 place is the highest that the brand has achieved in the survey since it began in 1994, and is the result of an on-going project designed to move Fiat steadily up the satisfaction rankings.

Three years ago the company finished 29 and last year it was in 26 position. Whether we see it in the top 10 next year remains to be seen but it is a possibility.

Fiat managing director Andrew Humberstone, is justly proud and one of the jewels in the Fiat crown is the Punto Evo.

The Punto is a familiar name the UK, being a neat family hatch with that Italian touch.

The new generation boats a complete restyle with a comprehensive range of engines and my test car featured one of the most significant - the 1.4 MultiAir petrol.

This engine features a revolutionary system for controlling the inlet and exhaust valves, giving improved air circulation and combustion efficiency, increasing maximum power by 12%, boosting torque at low revs by 15% and reducing fuel consumption by 16%.

The system also significantly reduces harmful emissions and improves the responsiveness of the engine.

Linked to a six-speed manual transmission, this engine is a tour de force of just what can be achieved by using the latest engineering advances to refine to the limits a modest petrol engine.

Fiat places great store in petrol power and it certainly shows with this 105bhp 16 valve unit which is Euro5 compliant.

But the big surprise is on the road because linked to the latest Stop Start technology the 1.4 MultiAir returns 49.6mpg with 115mph max speed and a 0-62mph sprint factor of 10.8 seconds.

The CO2 rating is again impressive for a 1.4 petrol at 134g/km. If you need more economical motoring there is a 1.3 MultiJet diesel that sails through the 70mpg barrier with a combined reading of 78.5mpg with a CO2 reading of 95g/km.

On the road the 1.4 MultiAir has another surprise in store because it is so smooth and silent, so much so that at tickover you have to check the rev counter to see that the engine is still running.

Like many Fiats, the Punto Evo is a treat to drive, featuring not only responsive performance but also razor sharp handling.

If there was something I did not like it was the chrome 'moustache' encompassing the Fiat badge on the bonnet. I much prefered the older model's 'Ferrari tribute' grille.