ge5043748998004046958
ge5675110762836944182
ge5476620852824932898
ge4871080763313879743
ge4842072807204214721
Ken Gratton15 Jan 2014
REVIEW

Alfa Romeo MiTo 2014 Review

Light hatch looks the part, but the drivetrains are an acquired taste

Alfa Romeo MiTo TwinAir and Progression

Alfa Romeo is a brand in transition. Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has plans for the marque to regain its bygone stature – and not fade into obscurity, where Lancia seems to be headed.

The upgraded MiTo variants sampled by motoring.com.au during the local launch were the new 875cc TwinAir model and the 1.4-litre MultiAir four-cylinder engine matched to manual and dual-clutch ('TCT') transmissions.

First up was the MiTo Progression with the TCT, the car to choose for style, comfort and ease of use around town. The TCT box was not as smooth as VW's DSG boxes – and shifting into higher gears was drawn out and protracted. And the TCT-equipped MiTo didn’t feel much livelier with the car's DNA system set to 'Dynamic'.

Driveability and fuel-saving potential have been sacrificed... presumably for long-term durability. On a run combining arterial roads and freeway the MiTo with the TCT posted an unexceptional fuel consumption figure of 7.3L/100km. At 100km/h the engine was revving around 2500rpm, and that may be part of the problem.

Even under light-load acceleration the engine was revving beyond 3000rpm before the transmission shifted up, and a determined prod of the doughy accelerator was frequently required for responsive downshifts.

By contrast, the focus was on the engine in the manual variant. Responsive from low revs, the 1.4-litre four-cylinder delivered strong performance as the turbo boost built up between 2500 and 5500rpm. Despite low clutch take-up, long gear shift throws and just five forward cogs, the manual variant felt much more a driver's car.

That was also true for the MiTo TwinAir, although the two-cylinder model demanded more from the driver... more input, more focus, more calculation. Short-shifting was unsatisfying, with labouring and vibration below 3000rpm on even gentle gradients. But building up revs to 4000rpm and dropping the clutch provided a fast start – even spinning a drive wheel briefly. With power running out from 5500rpm though, quickly changing to second was imperative.

That narrow power band means you'll frequently find the MiTo running out of revs on longer, wider corners. That in turn affects exit speed. So tapping the car's cornering potential called for late braking and turning into corners at higher than normal speeds, with the MiTo already in a higher gear.

Fanging the MiTo TwinAir provided a back-to-basics feel and it was much more involving to drive flat-chat than other shopping trolley rivals. It does require that commitment from the driver however...

And the driver needs to get past the two-cylinder engine's NVH. Experienced drivers may struggle adjusting to the Vespa-like engine note, but it's a sporty yet refined soundtrack that's rewarding after a while. Both the four and two-cylinder models were fairly quiet otherwise, producing road noise on some sections of road and drivetrain rumble at other times.

Fuel consumption finished up at 5.8L/100km for the TwinAir variant, with economy figures for both models helped by the impressive auto-stop/start system. It keeps the engine stopped for long periods at lights, even with the air conditioning draining power at a rapid rate. When it came time for the engine to restart, there was less noise and vibration than often the case in other cars around the same price.

Brakes were strong and responsive in all three MiTo variants. Steering felt heavy at speed, but light enough around town. Both engine variants provided commendable feedback through the wheel.

Feel and steering response, combined with the sporty ride, made the MiTo an enjoyable drive, although the short wheelbase produced some pitching at times. Smaller secondary-level bumps were absorbed well, but the car was easily knocked off-line by mid-corner bumps.

Some of the Mito's packaging niggles have been carried over in the upgraded range. The driver's side mirror, designed for LHD markets, still won't adjust far enough outboard to cover the three-quarter rear blind spot.

The driving position remains quirky – especially in manual variants. With the steering column fully retracted the driver's knee remains slightly raised. And there's little room between clutch pedal and footrest.

While the rear seat base folds up against the front seats, the driver's seat must be moved forward in order for the rear squab to be lowered flat.

The centre armrest fouls the handbrake and manual gear lever when left folded down too, and the trip computer read-out is blocked by strong reflected glare when the sun is high in the sky. And a persistent squeak could be heard in the dash of two different cars.

On the day of the launch the air conditioning was cranked up full (with the air recirculating) from the moment the outside temperature reached 33 degrees. In any other setting the air conditioning was inadequate. There were no vents in the back for kids either, so airflow had to be shared with rear-seat occupants by means of the eyeball vents in the centre fascia.

In compensation, the MiTo offers a lot. The styling has grown on me, in the post-Giulietta era. Seats provided plenty of comfort even after extended periods behind the wheel, but also held the occupants secure during those moments the MiTo was being hurled around.

On the electronics front, the new UConnect infotainment system delivered on its promise. Touch screen graphics were much improved and iPhone/iPod integration was exceptionally good.

UConnect not only loaded music from the phone without any fuss or bother, it effortlessly ran voice prompts for navigation from the phone through the car's speakers too, while displaying the interactive map in the touch screen. Not only did it work seamlessly, but you didn’t need a PhD to figure it out.

All the pluses and minuses of the MiTo in its different forms lead to this conclusion: The TCT variants are for those who spend 80 per cent of their time in bumper-to-bumper traffic. The manual MiTo Progression is more enjoyable and could be better still with a six-speed gearbox.

Finally, the MiTo TwinAir is a surprisingly fun package. Unlike some cars, which flatter the driver, the TwinAir challenges the driver to rise above mediocre.

Price from: $22,500 for MiTo TwinAir (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 0.9-litre two-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 77kW/145Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 4.2L/100km
CO2: 99g/km
Safety: Seven airbags / Five-star ANCAP

What we liked: Not so much:
>> Challenging, unconventional TwinAir engine >> Slow, unsophisticated TCT dual-clutch transmission
>> Safe but fun dynamics >> Air conditioning struggles with Aussie climate
>> Easy to use UConnect infotainment system >> Driving position could be better

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...

Don't forget to register to comment on this article.

Share this article
Written byKen Gratton
See all articles
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Expert rating
49/100
Engine, Drivetrain & Chassis
11/20
Price, Packaging & Practicality
7/20
Safety & Technology
12/20
Behind the Wheel
10/20
X-Factor
9/20
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Looking for a family car?Get the latest advice and reviews on family car that's right for you.
Explore the Family Hub
Family
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.

If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
Download the carsales app
    AppStoreDownloadGooglePlayDownload
    App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
    © CAR Group Ltd 1999-2024
    In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.