Car reviews

Mito is an Italian MINI - the kind of car Alfa Romeo should have been building years ago. It's trendy, good to drive and is packed with the latest technology, making it ideal for the fashion-conscious car buyer. Now, a year after its initial launch Alfa raises the bar with its Multiair models. Incorporating new technology that makes it run more efficiently, the Mito promises more power, lower emissions and improved fuel economy. Now this hatchback is making more sense particularly as the reliability problems that dogged Alfas in the past have been largely ironed out. There's also the introduction of the 170bhp Cloverleaf model - a return of an iconic performance badge. Buyers who opt for the Mito over the MINI can be confident of owning a car that's far less common, more attractively priced and better equipped. Couple that with strong resale value forecasts and affordable lease and running costs and it's clear that this is the first Alfa in a very long time that appeals to both the heart and the head.