Fiat - Idea

2004 onwards 

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The Idea mini-MPV is based on the popular Punto. Although spacious, it doesn't do much that the cheaper Punto can't, as it lacks the clever folding/sliding seats of rivals like Vauxhall's Meriva.

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	Stylish and good value
	Practical and roomy for its size
	Excellent 1.3 turbodiesel
	Some body roll as body tall
	Noisy at high speed from wind and road
	Depreciation may be steeper than some rivals

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Idea comes with 1.4 petrol and 1.3 Multijet turbodiesel engines; the latter is the best choice for both economy and performance. Spacious inside, Idea can certainly transport a small family and their luggage with room to spare, but it's not as versatile as some rivals, and it's rather stodgy and unrewarding to drive.
General refinement isn't great, with noticeable noise intrusion and some body roll, but the cabin is well-finished with averagely-good materials and plastics. Equipment levels are generous, with all the necessary gadgets.
Competitively priced and relatively economical to run, Idea's obscurity and lack of image may well count against it at resale time, with poorer residual values than better-known rivals. It's not a bad choice or investment, but the Idea looks dull and makes an uninspiring ownership prospect. Reliability should be fine, though, as most of its mechanicals are already well-tested in the Punto.