Fiat's Bravo offers a bravura performance

IF you're going to have a family hatchback that's anything but ordinary, then you don't want to go and specify it with an ordinary engine. And with Fiat's anything-but-ordinary Bravo, you can probably afford to go large.

Which in this case – for petrol customers at least – means ignoring the entry-level 89bhp 1.4-litre engine and opting for one of the turbocharged 1.4 T-Jet variants, which develop either 118bhp or 148bhp. It's the latter we're looking at here, badged 1.4 T-Jet 150. Even if you go for this faster T-Jet variant, you'll still only pay around 15,000 for it. That's less than it will cost you to get 150bhp in most other family hatchbacks and only 500 more than the 118bhp Bravo.

This is Fiat's most competitive offering in the family hatchback sector since the Tipo back in the 1980s. It might not be as sophisticated as class-leading Focus or Golf models when it comes to ride, handling or refinement but it looks a lot better and costs a lot less while getting close enough to satisfy the majority of buyers.

On the road in the 1.4 T-Jet 150, rest to 60mph takes around 8.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of just over 130mph. At the same time, you should average around 32mpg with emissions of 167g/km. In other words, there's enough here to justify Fiat's claim that the T-Jet offers the performance of a 2.0-litre petrol engine with the emissions and economy of a 1.4.

It's a torquey unit, which adds to the spirited driving experience on offer via the six-speed manual gearbox. Fiat's Dualdrive electrical steering assistance is fitted, which lightens the steering around town and at parking speeds by pressing a button on the dashboard. A bit more feel at higher driving speeds would be welcome, however.

Still, it's easy to forgive the Bravo any minor shortcomings when you walk round the car, taking in its beautifully integrated detailing and elegant proportions. Many five-door hatches are about as beguiling as the prospect of an evening spent painting your mother-in-law's fence, but the Bravo is different. Just as the Grande Punto added a touch of the exotic to the supermini class, so the new Bravo does the same for cars the next size up.

Though this isn't the largest car in the class, there's a decent amount of luggage space in that curved rump.

The interior feels very well built. Bright-finish plastics lift the cabin and the controls are easy to figure out without recourse to the manual. It all looks agreeably Italian as well. Fiat has really got the hang of the whole soft-touch dashboard moulding in recent years and the new Bravo's supple, textured finish wouldn't look out of place in an Audi.

There's no shortage of equipment, either. Most buyers of this T-Jet variant will stump up an extra 300 over the Dynamic variant's asking price to get the classy looking Sport version. This car comes with front fog lights, sports seats, sports suspension and instruments, red brake calipers, an MP3-compatible CD stereo and Bluetooth connection for your 'phone.

A big draw for family buyers is undoubtedly the amount of safety gear Fiat has packed into the Bravo. Winner of a coveted five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating, this model sits squarely at the top of its category with a total of 33 points on the NCAP scorecard. The design is the product of more than 60 crash tests, 15,000 hours of computer simulations, 150 simulations with a crash sled and more than 100 crash tests on components and subsystems. The Bravo features two front airbags, two front side bags, two window bags and a knee airbag for the driver.

Anti-lock braking with electronic brakeforce distribution and the latest-generation ESP stability control system should prevent the worst coming to the worst. The ESP system includes functions such as anti-slip regulation to limit wheelspin in slippery conditions, and engine-torque regulation which prevents the driven wheels locking up during rapid downshifts. Hydraulic brake assist boosts pedal pressure in emergency situations and there's even a hill-holder function to take the hassle out of hill starts.

Cost of ownership? Well, you may have some concerns on that score when buying a Fiat – in which case your dealer will want to talk to you about some attractive guaranteed residual value schemes they can offer to take the doubt out of the proposition. Insurance costs are cheap and the figure is lower than more poorly performing (but more expensive) rivals.

Overall? Well, since the 1.9 MJet 150 diesel model costs only around 1,200 more than its petrol T-Jet counterpart, it's easy to imagine that many Bravo buyers will take the diesel route. Before doing so, however, this car is worth a run.

Like all Bravos, it feels a good deal more special than any comparable family hatch and the high performance/high economy achievement of the T-Jet technology is genuinely impressive.

FACT BOX

CAR: Fiat Bravo 1.4 T-Jet 150

PRICE: 15,255-15,555 – OTR

INSURANCE GROUP: 10

EMISSIONS: 167g/km

PERFORMANCE: Max speed 131mph; 0-62mph 8.5 seconds

FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 39.8mpg