2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo Malaysia Reviews & Ratings, Expert Car Reviews on LIVE LIFE DRIVE

Carrying the promise of Alfa Romeo's sporting heritage, the 2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo has plenty to live up to. But while it looks and feels the part, the 2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo's unresolved damping and steering disappoint, giving the edge to key rival MINI.

2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo quick specs

Body Style	Hatchback
Class	Small Luxury
Assembled	-

Engine Range	-
Fuel Options	-
Seating Capacity	4

2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo ratings (overall rating : 4/5.0)

Styling
Handling
Comfort
Quality + Reliability
Performance

Roominess
Running Costs
Value for Money
Equipment
Environment

Styling

Aimed squarely at MINI, the 2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo looks unique and distinctively Italian. Notice any familiar styling cues on the Alfa Romeo MiTo that you may have seen on the Alfa Romeo's 8C Competizione limited-edition supercar? Well, that is because the MiTo is one of many future Alfa Romeos to share the supercar's striking features. Overall, the 2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo is eye-catching and appealing, if not classically beautiful. Passers-by will be staring at a MiTo as much as at a MINI, so it becomes tough to separate the two on style alone.

Handling

Based on the same platform as the Fiat Grande Punto, the 2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo has received a number of chassis revision, and features the all-new DNA (Dynamic, Normal and All-weather) system, which alters the steering, throttle response, stability control and boost pressure accordingly. The very light steering in Normal mode makes the Alfa Romeo MiTo easy to maneuver. The Dynamic mode sharpens everything up, resulting in a weightier steering, good grip levels and a flat cornering stance. But MINI is more fun to drive because the Alfa is less nimble, made worse by a steering that is lacking in feel and slow just off centre.

Comfort

The ride is firm, with deeper potholes or sharper bumps thumping into the cabin. But worse of all, the ride feels restless regardless of speed. The engine is quiet at a cruise, though wind and road noise are a constant companion. The driving position is generally good—the sufficiently low seating position is complemented by two-way steering and seat-height adjustments—but the seats could be more supportive, and rear visibility is restricted by the small rear window. Controls are clearly labelled and simple to use, although the DNA switch is hidden behind the gear lever.

Quality + Reliability

In traditional Alfa Romeo sense, and in order to rival MINI's one-of-a-kind cabin, Alfa Romeo has spent obvious effort in matching the 2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo's cabin ambience to its unique exterior. Boasting interesting shapes and detailing, good materials by class standards, and solid build quality, the cabin looks and feels classy yet sporty. MINI's cabin still feels more special, but the Alfa's is not far behind. Alfa Romeo has a poor record for reliability, so knowing that most of the underlying mechanicals are shared with the Fiat Grande Punto should put some minds at rest.

Performance

Powering the 2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo is an in-line four-cylinder turbocharged 1.4-litre, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. On the road, the 153 bhp, 230 Nm engine provides plenty of low-down punch—the turbo blowing hardest between 2000–4000 rpm—allowing the Alfa Romeo MiTo to complete the century sprint in a quick 8.0 seconds. In Dynamic mode, throttle responses become sharper and the stability control intrudes less. The clumsy gearshift disappoints, however, even though the gear ratios are well-chosen.

Roominess

Granted, three-door cars of this size are hardly going to be spacious or practical. But certain rivals such as the Fiat 500 surpass the Alfa Romeo MiTo in this aspect, though key rival MINI is no better. The front seats offer plenty of room, and although two adults can fit in just fine at the back, it is unlikely they would opt for longer journeys. The small side windows at the back make the rear feel claustrophobic, and the difficult rear access does not help. The boot is a good size at 270 litres, but the high load lip makes loading of heavy items harder than it should be.

Running Costs

The fuel economy is good at 15.4 km/litre, but keep in mind that an aggressive driving style will return a vastly different figure. Servicing and repairs are not likely to be cheap, though the same can be said for a MINI. The MiTo's desirable image and the premium Alfa Romeo badge it wears should keep resale values reasonably strong, but not likely as strong as for a MINI. However, the 2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo starts depreciating from a lower starting price, translating into a smaller amount lost in absolute terms.

Value for Money

Alfa Romeo wants very much to create a rival to MINI. With the Fiat Punto's platform and a strong engine, the 2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo shows promise from the outset. The eye-catching styling is unmistakably Alfa Romeo, the cabin feels classy yet sporty, and the handling and performance on the roads are more than able. But overall, the 2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo just does not live up to its potential, because the damping and steering are disappointingly unresolved. By comparison, MINI steers, rides and handles better, providing more driving fun along the way. MINI boasts a more special cabin, too, although it does come with a higher asking price to match its abilities.

Equipment

The 2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo is generously equipped, having as standard 17" sports alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, front fog lights, LED tail lights, cruise control, Blaupunkt CD/MP3 player with 6 speakers, steering wheel audio controls, leather upholstery, and automatic dual-zone climate control. Safety kit includes 7 airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, and a host of electronic aids including ABS + EBD + HBA, Anti-Slip Reducer (ASR), Control Brake Cornering (CBC), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Dynamic Steering Torque (DST) among others.

Environment

Carbon dioxide emissions of 153 grams/km and fuel economy of 15.4 km/litre are pretty good figures that are competitive with the MINI Cooper S's. That said, expect the figures to deteriorate quickly if you constantly drive at the limit.

Browse by make

Browse by category

Select by make

Select by body style

2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo Review

2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo at a glance