Fiat Idea Tested Oct 06

Rating Quick Summary Not recommended. A good Idea? Hardly. This is another cross between a supermini and an MPV, but it's too boring and too expensive to make any real sense.

Full Road Test

Manufacturers love to talk about "crossover" thinking - building cars that are meant to combine the virtues of two different market segments. And as such, Fiat reckons we should look on the Idea as being a cross between a small people-carrier and a supermini.

It's a good idea, but one that the Idea really doesn't manage to capitalise on very well. Indeed, since the launch of the equally spacious Grande Punto, it's become very hard to make any real case for this decidedly inferior offering.

The bland design looks like it belongs in the late 1990s rather than the early 21st century - the Idea looks like a slightly rounded off box from the outside. In the cabin things are no better, with cheap plastics everywhere and very dated-looking design. At least there's plenty of space for front and rear seat passengers, although the boot is barely bigger than that of the Grande Punto.

On the road the Idea proves itself to be a very dull little appliance. Handling is safe enough, but grip levels are low and a rubbery gearshift and feel-free steering effectively remove any feelings of driver involvement. On the plus side, at least it rides reasonably well.

Engine choice is limited to a breathless-feeling 1.4 litre petrol engine or an underpowered 1.3 litre "MultiJet" turbo diesel. Both are priced too close to proper mid-sized people-carriers to make much sense as new purchases.