New ALFA ROMEO MITO review at a glance:
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Advantages: Beautifully crafted and sophisticated from nose to boot, poised and planted on the road, tantalising interior accruements and layout, very strong forecast residuals, will knock the Mini off its perch.

Disadvantages: Involving rather than exhilarating drive, restricted rear cabin space which encroaches on occupant’s vision, not the slickest gear changes given its sporty overtures.

Summary: Drawing on its illustrious motorsport history, Alfa Romeo has seen the MiTo’s launch as the perfect opportunity to remind today’s brand-obsessed sub-30 year old car purchasers that by opting for this new supermini they’re in fact buying into - and effectively helping to script - the next chapter in Alfa’s rich sports car heritage. According to Alfa’s marketing folk the excellent MiTo will find homes with 5,000 new car buyers in the UK during 2009, resulting in a potential doubling of their total annual sales in this country.

Given its stylish profile, choice of engines, standard equipment list and insistent, refreshing alternative to the ubiquitous Mini, Alfa are definitely on to something here.

(2) AutoeBid customer ALFA ROMEO MITO Reviews:
03-June-2011 New ALFA ROMEO MITO Deals(1.4 16V Lusso 3d)
“Alfa has just a bit more about it than your average Ford/Vauxhall. Running wise, they are all much of a muchness, generic Fiat/GM platform. 95hp petrol engine not very punchy, but then it was bought for the wifes commute so economy and costs more important. She's just happy to have something a bit different with plenty of toys to entertain.”

17-January-2011 New ALFA ROMEO MITO Deals(1.4 TB MultiAir 135 Lusso 3d TCT)
“four star, but we have only had it for one day...”
New ALFA ROMEO MITO Review:
Spoiling for a bit of a rumpus with the likes of the Mini – who let’s face it, has had it too good for way too long – and the pesky Fiat 500, the all-new Alfa Romeo MiTo supermini was launched in January 2009, and is the Italian auto makers first tilt at a compact three-door hatchback since the legendary Alfasud that was the height of small car fashion during the 1970s and 80s.

The MiTo’s very name is the last word in contemporary style, the citing of both Milan and Torino as the hotbeds of automotive talent responsible for the Alfa’s key design and developmental stages.

The MiTo range encompasses five power plants, from the entry level 95bhp 1.4-litre Turismo up to the full-blown 155bhp 1.4-litre TB Veloce. Three petrol and two turbo diesel engines make up the number in between, including 1.3-litre and 1.6-litre variations on a theme; with the manufacturer envisaging that its petrol offerings will account for 70% of accumulative sales.

The stand out model for us and where we feel the majority of the smart money will be placed is that of the 1.4-litre TB Veloce, the reason being it promises an economic downturn-avoiding 43mpg, whilst acknowledging the 62mph benchmark in a shade under 8.0 seconds and good for 134mph when all’s said and done. Forecast depreciation is said to be nominal, which for a supermini is quite the shocker.

In physical appearance the MiTo is a fraction longer than it’s closest rival the Mini, however if we’re brutally honest rear leg and headroom is limited given the car’s rakish lines, although you can really spread out in the front. We noted that access to the rear seats questions individual’s suppleness too. what’s more – or rather less in this instance – is that should you require the rear seats to fold down and so free up some crucial load space, then MiTo buyers will have to cough up an extra £440 for the ‘luxury’ of this seemingly alien folding functionality.

Still, the driver’s frontal and peripheral visibility isn't compromised, which is more than can be said for rear seat passengers who’ll have to contend with a window more akin to a porthole should they wish to take in more than the MiTo’s interior vistas. Yet there are few cabin spaces that you’d rather spend time in the company of, delivering sophisticated touches interspersed with definitive sporting flourishes as the Alfa’s of yore.

Pleased to report that the driving feels sporty and involving too, yet can more than adequately cruise if you’re not in a rush. Oodles of grip, taut, agile and measured movements never slip from the driver’s control even as the road conditions deteriorate. That said, a stiff suspension ensures that you’re aware of even the most inconspicuous blot on the road’s surface.

Three throttle responses – labelled DNA - enable assured road negotiations come what may, with Dynamic mode dictating that foot-to-pedal responses are almost proactive rather than reactive, Normal taking care of sauntering while All Weather takes progression all rather calmly.

Kit-wise and all models flaunt electric windows, carbon fibre-look dashboard layouts, front, side, window and driver’s knee airbags, electric power steering, air-con, LED rear lights and the above-mentioned bespoke DNA vehicle dynamics control assemblage.