The marketing strategy behind the Fiat Stilo is to provide a well built car with a lot of features that are extras at the same price point in competitive cars.

This includes air conditioning and a rake of safety features including ABS and six airbags.

After a number of opportunities to try it with various engine options, we’ve come to the conclusion that it’s a hell of a good car, and pretty good value for money at 17,605 euros.

The latest in the line for us was the 1.2-litre petrol 80bhp 3-door ‘Active’ spec version which is a full five-seater with a very good sized boot. It also achieved 38.3mpg on the combined cycle which isn’t bad for a relatively small engine in a biggish car.

There seems to be a general perception that Fiat make small cars well, but but the brand still trying hard to overcome an (undeserved) idea out there that they don’t do bigger cars so well.

Stilo is still not perhaps as familiar on the road here, due to that perception. The first thing you note about it is that it’s really strong looking. Squarely set and distinctive looking in this 3-door form with that flared upswing of style on the rear part which finishes off in a very strongly designed back door and lights area.

It has a sporty look, emphasised by the little spoiler at the rear.

The very dark interior will appeal to the more sporty driver. There’s lots of dark high quality plastic and the big cloth covered seats are both comfy and supportive. Even six-footers will have enough head and leg room for comfort.

The dash has an interesting look to it, and slopes in at the glove compartment for extra knee or leg room.

Brian is a big Stilo fan. He believes it takes a while to get to know it and appreciate its very strong points. I have to say the car has grown on me. It’s good to drive and I feel comfy with it. Getting a good driving positition is easy.

I also liked the sporty look to the instruments, neatly displayed in two big circles with chrome surrounds, with two smaller arcs above. The instruments feature dark numbers against a white background. And I could clearly see all the displays through the top of the steering wheel, which is not always the case for shorter people. At night, the screen becomes a glaring red colour.

The specs case over the front inside lights was a neat touch. As was the dotted area on the windscreen to keep out the sun.

You’ll find the average number of cupholders and cubbies in the Stilo, but the HUGE door bins are something else with three different areas in which to store things. The bins behind aren’t nearly so big but they are were adequate.

The 1.2-litre 3-door was pretty basic with no map flaps behind the front seats, or flap on the passenger’s vanity mirror. But you can live without such little luxuries.

A bigger gripe, though, is how that high swoop of the back of the car and the thick bottom of my headrest obscured my rear side view of oncoming traffic. I’m a firm believer in always looking back over my shoulder when accessing the motorway from a slip road. You can’t rely on your side mirror to do the job because of the ‘blank spot’.

There was also no place to put my left foot, except under the clutch pedal which, although not uncomfortable in the Stilo, can be a problem with some other cars.

Also, I found it awkward when carrying parcels and attempting to open the boot with one hand, you have to actually pull it up with the key because when you turn the key to unlock it and let the key back, it only unhitches half way. So you have to turn the key again and pull the whole thing up with the key .... or drop your parcels to use both hands.

Like I’ve said before, the Stilo comes with an impressive array of standard equipment. This includes on on-board computer, CD player, air conditioning in all versions, ABS and six airbags. That’s a pretty hefty line up by any standards.

Good, too, is the radio which comes with nice sized buttons and a big volume knob in the middle.

I found the 6-speed gear box to be nice and smooth to operate. There is plenty of power for everyday use in the 1.2-litre engine which can do the 0-60 trip in 13.4 seconds. That doesn’t sound massively impressive, but the car actually shows its briskness in slower traffic.

When you want to apply them the brakes are immediatly responsive.

Responsive too, is the speed limit reminder that bleeps at you when you reach the limit you’ve set. Maybe that’s telling me something I should be more aware of, especially with the points penalty system about to be introduced for speeding.

An important plus is that with the 1.2-litre engine, the Stilo has an insurance cost advantage over many competitors whose range starts with 1.4-litre engines.

Forget that hoary old prejudice against bigger Fiats. It's time you grew up. Fiat has, in this segment, and it deserves at least an unbiased trial.