Alfa Romeo MiTo Review

Alfa Romeo MiTo Review

The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione tops the list of many people's dream cars. Its stunning good looks and elegant lines are able to set many a pulse racing. Unfortunately, numbers are limited and the price prohibitive to most people.

So, for those whose pockets aren't deep enough, we have the Alfa Romeo MiTo, pronounced mi-toe. Although the two cars are clearly chalk and cheese, there are similar design elements and both share the company's 'love of driving' ethos, which is built in to every car Alfa Romeo has made.

The physical similarities between the 8C and the small, cute, 3-door Alfa Romeo MiTo can be seen in the teardrop headlights, the deep V on the bonnet and the shield grille that divides the lower air intake. Altogether, these elements combine to create a somewhat irritated expression but one that demands attention.

In profile, the muscular wheelarches complement the 16-or 17-inch wheels, which have similar designs to those on the 8C. Clever use of design lines in the bodywork, serve to make the Alfa Romeo MiTo look even more muscular, while the high shoulders and almost invisible B-pillar give a coupe-like impression.

The rear end features tail-light clusters with concentric, circular LED lights, which are also a hint at the Alfa Romeo 8C, as is the diffuser-like scoop at the base of the rear bumper. There are no inelegant release buttons to spoil the curvy lines; just a push of the Alfa Romeo emblem does the job, revealing a sizeable boot with a capacity of 270-litres.

The Alfa Romeo MITo test car had a two-seater bench, the backrest of which folds but not flat and it is quite awkward trying to get the seat belts out of the way and press the buttons at the same time. Three rear seats are available as a £440.43 option, which gives you a 60:40 split and extra flexibility. The headrests push down, which is a good thing as visibility through the rear-view mirror is by no means panoramic.

Surprisingly for a small car, there is a fair amount of legroom and plenty of headroom in the rear of the cabin and, it doesn't feel claustrophobic either, despite the dark leather seats. Frau Leather upholstery is an option, across the range, adding £880.85 to the list prices, which range from £10,745 to £14,745 OTR.

The sporty front seats tilt and slide to allow access to the rear and return to their original position, which saves a lot of fuss. I mention this because some cars don't have this function and it can become a major irritation.

Alfa Romeo MiTo