The MiTo range now comprises five turbo-charged engines; three petrol and two diesel units. The 0.9-litre TwinAir Turbo engine has been given a shot in the arm, boosting peak power to 103bhp, translating to a sprint to 62mph that’s 1.1 seconds faster than the previous 85bhp version. The 1.4 TB MultiAir 135bhp (available with a manual or the Alfa TCT twin dry clutch transmission) and the 1.4 TB MultiAir 170bhp QV engine complete the petrol line-up, while the diesel range consists of the 1.3 JTDM-2 85bhp and the 1.6 JTDM-2 120bhp powerplants.
Having just told you that this revision amounts to more than just headlights, grille and bumpers, I’m now here to inform you that the external changes comprise a revised chromed front grille, titanium grey headlamp and tail lamps surrounds and a sports rear bumper. On the plus side, there are also tinted rear windows and a revised colour palette that now includes a classy Matte Magnesio Grey finish.
The interior has been given a rethink too, with improved materials used throughout and a dashboard that addresses some of the ergonomic issues of the old MiTo. The touch points in the car are notably better than before and there’s now a Uconnect five-inch, touch-screen infotainment system with voice recognition, Bluetooth, steering wheel remote controls, USB/AUX-in ports and optional satellite navigation.
Prices start at just over £14,000, which is more than you’d pay for entry-level versions of the Mini hatch, the Fiat 500 and the Citroen DS3, all boutique models which the MiTo must outshine if it wants to claim sales. That said, you don’t have to ascend too far up the Fiesta or Corsa ranges before you reach £14,000, and the MiTo looks to offer better value and higher equipment levels, model for model, than the mainstream brands. Figure that one out.
The entry-level petrol and diesel engines in the revised Alfa Romeo MiTo range really do get standout economy and emissions figures. If you choose to go petrol, it’s unlikely you’ll be disappointed by the 67.3mpg and 99g/km you’ll get from the 103bhp 0.9 TwinAir model, while the diesel 1.2 JTDM-2 might pack less but it feels churlish to grumble when it’ll return 80.7mpg and emit just 90g/km of carbon dioxide. These sorts of figures suddenly make the MiTo a real option for company car drivers who are looking to bring down their tax bills but don’t want to be saddled with a boring car.
Demand for used MiTo models has proven strong and there’s no reason to assume that it will tail off with the introduction of a budget entry-level variant. This relatively beefy residual value has been a big draw for private buyers, especially when the cost of comparatively mundane rivals such as the Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Fiesta has steadily crept up to match the MiTo’s asking price. Suddenly the Alfa looks corking value. Small wonder sales are trending upwards.
The Alfa Romeo MiTo has come good. While I don’t think it’ll ever be remembered as a classically charismatic Alfa, perhaps that’s not what the company needs right now. It’s been through legions of cars that appeal to a hardened niche of buyers and that strategy isn’t going to prove profitable in this day and age. What Alfa needs with the MiTo is a car that delivers all the reliability and affordability of a Corsa or a Fiesta but which adds a dash of pizazz. That’s pretty much what it has delivered here.
So where’s the catch? I’m struggling to think of too many. Some buyers may overlook it because it’s been around for five years but they’d be doing this revised model a real disservice. You could argue that the three-year warranty isn’t particularly generous and you’d have a point but beyond that there’s a lot to admire here and the prices look good too. The MiTo took its time but it looks as if it’s finally come of age.