Alfa-Romeo Mito Diesel Hatchback

Review Of The Alfa Romeo Mito Diesel Hatchback

Fancy a posh supermini? The new Alfa Romeo Mito Diesel Hatchback might be small but it’s got all the Alfa Romeo hallmarks: Style, speed and a dash of upmarket-ness.

So far, so rosy. However, it’s not the most engaging car of its type to drive, while its interior quality is a bit suspect. Still, there’s never been a cheaper way to own an Alfa Romeo.

OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our 2018 Alfa Romeo Mito Diesel Hatchback review.

Overview of the Alfa Romeo Mito Diesel HatchbackJTNDY2VudGVyJTNFJTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwd2lkdGglM0QlMjI1NjAlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjIzMTUlMjIlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbSUyRmVtYmVkJTJGYXUwaVl6bjVabmclMjIlMjBmcmFtZWJvcmRlciUzRCUyMjAlMjIlMjBnZXN0dXJlJTNEJTIybWVkaWElMjIlMjBhbGxvdyUzRCUyMmVuY3J5cHRlZC1tZWRpYSUyMiUyMGFsbG93ZnVsbHNjcmVlbiUzRSUzQyUyRmlmcmFtZSUzRSUzQyUyRmNlbnRlciUzRQ==

On The Road

Out on the road, the Mito doesn’t quite add up. It’s got the brands DNA system, but its three different modes – Dynamic, All-Weather and Normal – only work to a point. Sure, Dynamic mode makes the steering heavier and does inject the car with a bit of sportiness, but it hardly makes the Mito as agile or as involved as rivals. Moreover, it’s quite the effort to drive.

That said, the Normal setting turns the Mito into a competent city car by making the steering lighter. The All-Weather option, conversely, dulls the throttle response and brings the stability control system into play earlier. It works well in poorer conditions.[vc_single_image image=”66517″ img_size=”article-image”]Not all models come with adaptive dampers, but those that do don’t do a fantastic job of easing up the suspension. It’s still on the firm side, which means ride comfort isn’t the best.

In terms of its engines, the turbocharged 1.3-litre diesel is the only diesel available. It’s the cheapest to run, but that will hardly make it the most popular. That said, it’s ideal for those on a budget as well as green-minded buyers, as it emits just 89g/km of CO₂. It develops a mere 94bhp, though, which means it takes 12.5 seconds to complete the 0-62 dash.

Top speed, meanwhile, is 113mph, but the good news is that it feels faster than these figures suggest. That said, you’ll need to be good with gear changes as a common complaint is that drivers are getting stuck at low revs in the wrong gear.

Max torque from this engine is 1,500rpm, while peak power is 3,500rpm. There’ll need to be a lot of hard revving if you’re to get the best out of it.

Alfa Romeo Mito Diesel Hatchback Interior, Design & Build

[vc_single_image image=”66516″ img_size=”article-image”]Inside, this is not what you’d call a comfortable car. Interior quality is also questionable, while insulation is a bit of an issue. Tyre and wind noise is even more noticeable if you go for one of the top spec models, as their larger tyres just compound things.

The dashboard has been given a refresh, but some of the material still doesn’t gel. Moreover, there are examples of hard plastics and poor fit and finish here and there.The exterior is stylish enough, but then again the shallow rear windows weaken rear visibility.

There are some nice touches. We like the textured materials of the dashboard, as well as the chrome-ringed dials and the round air vents. It’s just a shame that Alfa Romeo saw reason to stick with dated, poor quality materials for the most part.

Where practicality is concerned, the Alfa Romeo falls a bit short. A 270-litre boot is a strength, and is on par with most of its rivals. It’s deep, but a high lip and a low boot floor will make things awkward.

The car comes with four seats as standard, but a third seat can be added in the back for £450. However, that would take up more precious interior space, of which there isn’t much to begin within the rear. A sloping roof makes headroom limited, while the narrow windows can create a sense of claustrophobia.

That said, the driver and their passenger will be perfectly fine.

Equipment & Safety Of The Alfa Romeo Mito Diesel Hatchback

Standard kit is decent, with the entry-level model getting the brands DNA switch, a 5” touchscreen, a digital radio, Bluetooth, air conditioning, satin chrome-effect exterior detailing and 16” alloys.

The Super trim adds 17” alloys, a space-saver spare wheel, special upholstery, rear parking sensors and an alarm and immobiliser.

The Mito Speciale gets darkened 17” alloys, red brake callipers, tinted rear glass, a sports rear bumper, sports seats and sports dials, while the range-topping Mito Veloce model rounds things off with sat-nav, a better Uconnect infotainment system and high-performance Brembo brakes.

Is the Alfa Romeo Mito Diesel Hatchback safe? It scored 5/5 when crash-tested by Euro NCAP, but this was back in 2008 when the test was less stringent. Its standard safety kit includes tyre pressure monitoring, electronic stability control anti-whiplash head restraints and ISOFIX child-seat mounts.

Oddly enough, a lane-departure warning isn’t even available as an optional extra.

Costs Of The Alfa Romeo Mito Diesel Hatchback

Prices for the new car start out from £13,840 and rise to £21,380. If you prefer to lease, you can pick up a deal from £203 + VAT per month. For more information on our leasing deals, check out our page here.

In terms of its running costs, the Mito Diesel is outstanding. The 1.3-litre engine is the most frugal, returning 83.1mpg while emitting less than 90g/km of CO₂. It also has a 20% BiK rating. Its figures are made possible by both turbochargers and stop-start tech.

All Mito’s cost £140 per year in road tax, while the Mito diesel occupies insurance groups 13 and 14.

Pros and Cons Of The Alfa Romeo Mito Diesel Hatchback

Pros:

Distinctive

It must be getting harder and harder for brands to make their supermini’s stand out. Alfa Romeo has given theirs its own distinctive looks while retaining some semblance of the signature Alfa Romeo style.

Affordable To Run

The turbocharged diesel returns well over 82mpg.

Green-Minded

With emissions under 90mpg, the Mito does its bit for the environment.

Cons:

Poor Interior

It’s cramped and lacks quality.

Harsh Suspension

The firm set up is hardly good for comfort.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

Alfa Romeo Mito Diesel Hatchback vs Peugeot 208 Diesel Hatchback vs Citroen DS3 Diesel Hatchback

Let’s see how the car compares against its rivals in the comparison section of our 2018 Alfa Romeo Mito Diesel Hatchback review.

Alfa Romeo Mito Diesel Hatchback vs Peugeot 208 Diesel Hatchback

The new Peugeot 208 Diesel Hatchback might like the Alfa Romeo’s flair, but it’s nicely styled in its own way and boasts low running costs.

Quick steering and lots of grip are the order of the day here, but the biggest disappointment is that the 208 lacks enough feel for enthusiastic cornering. On the flipside, body lean is kept to a minimum by the suspensions setup.

Overall, the driving experience is just about more engaged than the Mito.[vc_single_image image=”66515″ img_size=”article-image”]

In terms of the engines, the sole diesel is a 1.6-litre BlueHDi unit that’s available in two power guises. A modest 75bhp variant is the most recent addition to the lineup but it’s on the slow side, taking a painful 13.3 seconds to get you from rest to 62mph.

A bigger 118bhp engine is your a better option. It comes with a 6-speed ‘box as standard, doesn’t cost much to run at all and settles down at speed. It’s also nippy, taking just 9.4 seconds to complete the 0-62 dash.

However, our top pick is a BlueHDI 99bhp engine that’s fairly lively and economical. It returns 80.7mpg and emits 90g/km of CO2. The 118bhp engine, meanwhile, returns 78.5mpg and emits 94g/km, while the smaller BlueHDi 75 engine returns an eye-catching 94.2mpg. If those figures are correct, they make it the most frugal internal-combustion engine on the planet.

Inside, the Peugeot 208 Diesel Hatchback sports a pleasant interior. The driver’s seat is height adjustable on all models, visibility is fine for the most part, while a 6-speed transmission has reduced engine noise.

The cabin looks a lot better than last time, with Peugeot adding soft-touch plastics that elevate its sense of style. A strange move is the decision to put the speedometer behind the steering wheel’s rim, which makes it tricky to check. If we were being picky, we’d also argue that the steering wheel is too small.

Is the Peugeot 208 Diesel Hatchback practical? It’s available with either three or five doors, but the three-door model is on the expensive side and only available with the hot-hatch trims.

The five-door model is the one to go for if practicality is important to you. Access is easy and it’s great for kids. Rear legroom is decent, as is headroom, and it should be easy enough for everyone to get comfortable.

The boot measures 285-litres, which is about what you get in this class. Fold the rear seats and you can extend it to 1,152-litres.

Price:

Peugeot – £14,630 – £19,760

Alfa Romeo Mito Diesel Hatchback vs Citroen DS3 Diesel Hatchback

The new Citroen DS3 Diesel Hatchback is an unusual-looking car that some buyers will love while others will hate. For some, its distinctive looks are just part of Citroen’s quirky charm, while the rest will think it’s a step too far from Alfa Romeo’s suave styling.

On the road, the Citroen is more comfortable and relaxed than sporty. Its suspension is soft, visibility is great, and it’s an easy car to drive around the town. In corners, it’s hardly sharp, but at the same time, it’s not a wet blanket either.[vc_single_image image=”66514″ img_size=”article-image”]

In terms of its engines, the diesels are perfect if economy matters to you. Apart from that, though, they’re a bit tricky to recommend. Just two are available, starting off with a small 1.6-litre 74bhp engine that takes almost 14.0 seconds to complete the 0-62 “dash.”

The 109bhp variant is bigger and can get you from a standstill to 62mph in a more respectable 10.6 seconds. It returns 76.3mpg, and while this is a very respectable figure, it’s not as impressive as the 80.7mpg returned by the 74bhp variant.

Inside, the best thing about the Citroen is its high levels of comfort. The front seats, in particular, are super comfortable, with the driver getting a height and reach-adjustable wheel.

The design of the cabin is also appealing, and there’s room for customisation. Everything is easy to get to grips with too, while a large 7” touchscreen infotainment system is standard in higher spec models.

There are different Ambiances to choose from, each of which comes with different colours, including yellow and red. If you like your cabins quirky, the Citroen D3 Diesel Hatchback is the one to go for.

Is it practical, though? There’s plenty of room for all, with the car feeling large inside. This is a feeling helped by the big glass area but four adults should be able to sit in comfort. Three adults can squeeze into the back at a push.

All models come with five doors, while the boot measures 300-litres, which makes it a few litres bigger than the Alfa Romeo.

Price:

Citroen – £11,555 – £18,045

Verdict Of Our 2017 Alfa Romeo Mito Diesel Hatchback Review

It’s posh, it’s an Alfa Romeo … but is it really worth owning? As far as supermini goes, it comes up short. It looks good, its turbocharged diesel engine is frugal, green and competent, but interior quality is questionable while its price tag hardly screams “upmarket.” The jury is very much out on the new Alfa Romeo Mito Diesel Hatchback.[vc_row content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1464089844166{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1494257310211{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”]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

Fancy the Alfa Romeo Mito Diesel Hatchback? Request a call back from one of our Vehicle Experts

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