Aimed squarely at MINI, MiTo looks unique and distinctively Italian. Notice any familiar styling cues on MiTo that you may have seen on Alfa Romeo's 8C Competizione limited-edition supercar? Well, that is because MiTo is one of many future Alfa Romeos to share the supercar's striking features. Overall, 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. Based on the same platform as Fiat Grande Punto, 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 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. 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. In traditional Alfa Romeo sense, and in order to rival the MINI's one-of-a-kind cabin, Alfa Romeo has spent obvious effort in matching the 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 Fiat Grande Punto should put some minds at rest. Powering 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 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. Granted, three-door cars of this size are hardly going to be spacious or practical. But certain rivals such as Fiat 500 surpass 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. 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. 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, MiTo starts depreciating from a lower starting price, translating into a smaller amount lost in absolute terms. Alfa Romeo wants very much to create a rival to MINI. With the Punto platform and a strong engine, 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, 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. 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. Carbon dioxide emissions of 153 grams/km and fuel economy of 15.4 km/litre are pretty good figures that are competitive with MINI Cooper S's. That said, expect the figures to deteriorate quickly if you constantly drive at the limit.