Hi,
I have a Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 2012 model. The car is good and is very fast, equipment quality is good.
I feel the steel used in car is of heavy gauge than what I20 has (my father uses I20). The built of the car, engine, stero etc is very good.
This car is easy to drive, the tyres are large, 195/15 which is good for handling. Punto is an excellent cornering car. The suspension are a bit on harder side and seats are placed lower so it reduces comfort but increases the sportiness of the car.
The car has an excellent engine which responds well and generates 90 hp power. This is the same engine which has been turbocharger and tuned for Fiat Punto Abarth. Speed of 0-100 for the car in 11.5 seconds is pretty quick. Highest speed is near 190 kmph!
The brakes are very good with ABS.
Lots of electronic assistance has been placed like seat belt indicator, engine check indicator/ warning which are very useful but in US, UK, Europe where people are more accustomed to cars. People handle these things in their garage. But in India we normally go to service centre or mechanics, so the high level of electronic assistance can be a issue with many people. I am a Mechanical Engineer with pure interest in Automobile but still it took time to grow in me.
Cons:
I would say the Punto is excellent car by all means but the TATA support is not upto the mark. I think one should understand that getting a Fiat in India means you should be able to repair and understand car problem by yourself or you will end up spending a lot.
So think about this before going for Punto, Linea are excellent cars but the support is missing.