SOMETIMES looking for value means sacrificing style - but with the Fiat Punto you can have both.

The 1.3-litre MultiJet engine offers 85bhp - enough to make this Punto reasonably nippy around town - but more importantly fuel is sipped rather than slurped while low emissions reduce running costs further.

The engine range also includes a 1.2-litre eight-valve petrol, a 1.4-litre eight-valve petrol, a 1.4-litre 16-valve MultiAir petrol, and a TwinAir 0.9-litre petrol.

The Punto I drove is fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox which is ideal for getting around the urban jungle.

This is not a hot hatch though so don't expect thrills and spills from a car with a 0-62mph time in excess of 13 seconds. The Punto is more of a solid citizen operating with the minimum of fuss thanks to an efficient suspension that absorbs the many humps and hollows littering our roads these days.

The car also handles well with electric power-steering and good levels of grip giving the driver confidence.

As far as looks are concerned there's a choice of three eye-catching exterior paint jobs, while colour-coded bumpers and neat alloys add to the impression of youthful vigour.

There are a number of nice touches such as the Fiat badge which is also the boot latch.

The cabin is pleasant and airy with comfortable cloth-covered seats and a decent driving position helped by a steering wheel that adjusts for rake and reach.

The dashboard is modern with natty dials that for a supermini are quite understated.

The Punto is one of the largest superminis on the market, so four adults are catered for with ease. There's plenty of room up front while in the back there's still a workable amount of leg and headroom.

Driving a supermini usually means putting the golf clubs on the back seat as the boot is rarely able to cope.

But the Punto's boot swallowed the clubs, trolley and shoes without breaking sweat which is an impressive amount of luggage room for a small car. Split-folding rear seats are also included adding the car's load-carrying versatility.

The three-door Punto I drove was easy to get into and out of thanks to front seats that are simplicity itself to move.

There's a four-trim line-up featuring entry-level Pop, mid-range Easy, sporty GBT and top dog Lounge models.

Choose the Pop and you'll get goodies such as electric front windows, driver and passenger airbags, CD/radio/iPod player, electric power steering and remote central locking.

Step up a level and Easy adds items including air conditioning, the snazzy wheels and a leather steering wheel, while GBT gets a sport suspension and rear spoiler. The top-of-the-range Lounge model also includes cruise control, front fog lamps and electric sunroof.

The supermini segment of the market accounts form about a quarter of all new cars sold with around 30 models from Europe, Japan and Korea all vying for a share of the market.

With Fiat giving the Punto a well-timed revamp the Italian contender looks set to be a major player in the sector.