Alfa Romeo Mito 2009 review

As humans we are cautious, even violent, towards mutations of our species. It's part of being a human. Ironically, we are mutants and books describing the origin of the species discuss the intervening years that eventually made you look like you and me like Brad Pitt. But we accept minor variations on our theme, placing as much blame as necessary on our parents and the irregularities of DNA.

Cars are no different. There is, for example, a lot of Lancia in the Alfa Romeo Mito. For those who came in late, Lancia has a rich history of innovation and racing success but has more recently plunged to become a directionless division of Alfa Romeo's parent, Fiat. In the past few years Lancia has made a saloon for the Pope and sold some baby cars with a funny grille to compete with Fiat. It's all rather pointless.

Or it was until Alfa stumbled over the Lancia concept of pregnant styling in a compact car enriched with chrome trimmings and a funny grille. This is the Mito. It is Alfa's smallest car in recent history and in size and price, rivals the family Fiat's 500 and Punto plus it attempts to lure people who are also looking at the Mini, Fiesta, Mazda2, Jazz, Peugeot 207, Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Yaris. That's stiff competition.

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Explore the 2009 Alfa Romeo Mito Range

Alfa Romeo MiTo 2009 review Alfa Romeo Mito 2009 review

Charming looks

In styling, the Mito also shares a lot with the forthcoming Alfa 149, replacement to the current 147, with its tiny rear hatch and a profile like a badly drawn animal with its nose longer than its tail. However this imbalance, and the fried-egg shape of the polycarbonate headlight covers, give the Mito its distinctiveness and with it, a likeable charm. Onlookers were intrigued by its design though awkwardly guarded when asked to comment.

Drivetrains

Though it's an Alfa, it doesn't feel like an Alfa. The exhaust doesn't make the same sound as the 147 hatch and there's no distinctive Alfa perfume emitting from the cabin's fabrics. But it retains the urgency of an Alfa. The engine is always willing and even if it needs a hefty prod, it comes to the party with eagerness.

The Mito borrows the Fiat Punto's 1.4-litre engine and delivers it in two guises — an 88kW for the Mito tested and a 114kW version in the Mito Sport. Both are turbocharged and, aside from the Sport getting one more cog to give it a six-speed transmission, it's really only electronic engine management changes that splits the two.

Variants and pricing

There's $6000 difference in price between the Mito and the Mito Sport and only a weeny 0.8 seconds separates them on the 0-100km/h dash. Is that worth $6000? Truthfully, there are quite a lot of extra things that make the difference and you'd be better off paying the extra. As it stands, the base Mito offers little for its price compared with some excellent rivals — VW Golf, Peugeot, Audi and Volvo among them.

Interior

Then there are other issues. Like the seating position that suits tall people because the steering column sits unusually high. Though there's a telescopic and tilt adjustment, the wheel still never feels low and sporty. Only high and bus-like.

This, combined with the expansive dashboard and the large distance to the windscreen pushes the driver back towards the centre of the car. It doesn't do a lot for rear seat passengers. At best, only children will fit. But the rear seats do split and fold down to boost boot space and it's more likely the Mito will — like the Mini — become just a two seater.

Driving

On the road, the Mito doesn't disappoint its illustrious ancestors. Though the engine gets a lot of attention because of its eagerness, it is the suspension that quietly reflects how the Italians can, sometimes, get it right with a balance of comfort and fine cornering.

There is some sharp reaction through the suspension to potholes but generally the Mito is a confident handler. The steering is initially offputting because it is electrically-assisted and feels vague and lifeless. But it becomes familiar and ultimately a joy to steer. But this is not my favourite car. The VW Golf is far too sophisticated and perfectly built for the Mito to challenge.

Verdict: 76/100

Alfa Romeo Mito
Price: from $31,490
Engine: 1.4-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharger
Power: 88kW@5000rpm
Torque: 206Nm@1750rpm
Performance: 0-100km/h in 8.8 seconds, top speed 198km/h
Transmission: 5-speed manual; front-drive
Economy (official): 6.1 litres/100km, (tested): 7.5 litres/100km
Emissions: 145g/km (Corolla: 175g/km)
Rivals
Audi A3 1.6 ($35,400) — 84/100;
Mini Cooper ($33,450) — 68/100;
Peugeot 308 1.6 Turbo ($31,590) — 86/100;
Volvo C30 2.4 ($36,450) — 81/100;
VW Golf 118TSI ($30,490) — 88/100