With over 222,000 km on the odometer, this 2009 Abarth Grande Punto continues to give its owner complete satisfaction. Julien, a member of the Italpassion community, has been driving this little Italian sports car—equipped with a 155 HP 1.4 T-Jet engine—for six years. He shares his experience after driving 25,000 km behind the wheel, covering everything from driving pleasure and remarkable reliability to a few flaws.
Launched in the late 2000s, the Abarth Grande Punto marked the return of the “Scorpion” brand to the small sports car market. With its 155 HP turbocharged 1.4 T-Jet engine, six-speed manual transmission, and distinctive styling, it was intended to offer an Italian alternative to the French sports cars of the time.
But what is this worth? Abarth After all these years and more than 200,000 km? To find out, we spoke with Julien, the owner of a white model registered in August 2009. A longtime fan of Italian cars, he has previously owned an Alfa Romeo 159 2.4 JTDm with 200 HP, a Fiat Stilo 1.9 JTD, and a Fiat Coupé 2.0 16V (as well as a stint in Germany with an Audi A3 1.9 TDI).
These days, his Abarth Grande Punto is mainly used for weekend trips. And despite its high mileage, it seems to have retained most of its qualities.
An Abarth Grande Punto with 222,639 km on the odometer that has never let its owner down
| Identification Card | |
|---|---|
| Model | Abarth Grande Punto |
| Motorization | 1.4 T-Jet turbo gasoline engine, 155 HP |
| Placing into circulation | August 2009 |
| Transmission | Manual, 6-speed |
| Current mileage | 222,639 km |
| Time of possession | 6 years |
| Distance traveled by Julien | 25,000 km |
| Usage | Mainly on weekends |
| Rating given by Julien | 90/100 |
The 155 HP 1.4 T-Jet engine impresses with its reliability
The engine is undoubtedly what gives Julien the greatest satisfaction. He makes no secret of his fondness for this turbocharged four-cylinder. «It’s a very well-designed engine, enjoyable to drive at all RPMs, and easy to handle in everyday driving. » The T-Jet’s smoothness allows him to enjoy his Abarth both in the city and on small roads. Its stock exhaust note also strikes a good balance: it’s noticeable enough to highlight the car’s sporty character without becoming tiresome on the highway.
Julien acknowledges, however, that 155 HP may seem modest compared to some competitors, particularly the Renault Clio RS. The six-speed manual transmission partially makes up for this lack of power thanks to its precision and smooth shifting. His only complaint: a sixth gear that he considers slightly too short.
But what’s most impressive is the mechanical durability of his car. With over 222,000 km on the odometer, Julien says he hasn’t experienced a single engine failure in the six years he’s owned it. «Even with 222,000 km on the odometer, the engine has never failed; it has never consumed a single drop of oil, and aside from routine maintenance, I’ve never had to replace a defective part.»
That’s a particularly positive review for a young athlete of that age. Julien goes even further in his assessment: «To me, it's one of the best engines Fiat has ever designed, but unfortunately, its lifespan didn't live up to its performance and reliability.»
An efficient chassis, impressive Brembo brakes, but a rear end that can be tricky at times
While the engine has won almost unanimous praise from its owner, Driving behavior calls for a more nuanced approach.
The front-end handling is one of the strengths of this Grande Punto. In his experience, it’s precise, responsive, and not prone to understeer. The rear-end handling, on the other hand, requires some caution as the pace picks up. «The rear suspension, on the other hand, feels secure even through rapid sequences of turns; however, it doesn’t warn you if you start to push the car too hard, and sometimes it loses traction very quickly.»
Another notable feature: the power steering. In normal mode, Julien finds it much too light for a sports car. Switching to Sport mode significantly changes the feel by making the steering firmer. «The steering is too loose without Sport mode; with Sport mode, it’s perfect—it’s much stiffer and the driving feel is much better.» In fact, he always uses this mode.
Comfort isn't this Abarth's top priority, especially with its 17-inch wheels. Bumps, speed bumps, and road imperfections are clearly felt inside the cabin. It's a trade-off that Julien gladly accepts, given the model's sporty nature.
As for the Brembo brakes, they receive particularly high praise. «The Brembo brakes are incredibly powerful—it might even come as a surprise! They’re actually oversized for the engine!» Julien does, however, note one annoyance when driving aggressively: the hazard lights tend to come on frequently in turns, a behavior he finds irritating.
The interior has aged well, and the Sabelt seats are a favorite
Inside, this Abarth Grande Punto has a pleasant surprise in store for its owner. Despite its age and mileage, the interior seems to have held up remarkably well over time.
Julien, who has owned several Fiat models, says he is pleasantly surprised by the quality of the build and materials. He particularly notes the absence of extraneous noises, even after more than 220,000 km. «Even over the years, there’s no unwanted noise in the cabin, unlike its little sister, the Fiat 500 Abarth.»
He also appreciates the details unique to the brand with the scorpion logo, particularly the red stitching and leather accents that contribute to the sporty feel. The ergonomics, typical of cars of this generation, are another plus. There’s no all-pervasive touchscreen: the radio and automatic climate control feature physical controls that are easy to use.
But one of Julien’s favorite features remains the Sabelt bucket seats in his car. «The Sabelt bucket seats are a must-have option in my opinion—they’re very comfortable despite their slim profile.» These seats enhance the sporty feel and provide excellent support. They do, however, have one major drawback: their driving position. Julien finds the seat too high and wishes it had height adjustment. This limitation can be a problem for drivers taller than 1.80 m.
In the back, getting into the seats remains difficult for tall people. Once seated, however, passengers have enough space, which they consider adequate.
Reasonable fuel economy… for a 155 HP sports car
Despite its turbocharged engine and sporty character, this Abarth Grande Punto delivers fuel economy that Julien considers suitable for everyday use.
Here are the figures he provided:
| Course Type | Consumption |
|---|---|
| City | 9 L/100 km |
| Highway at 130 km/h | 8 L/100 km |
| Reported average | 7.5 L/100 km |
These figures obviously depend on how the car is used and the driver’s style. Nevertheless, they show that a small gasoline-powered sports car of this generation can still keep fuel costs relatively under control.
Exemplary reliability…but specific parts are hard to find
This is probably Julien's other major source of satisfaction after the engine was approved: the overall reliability of his car.
In six years and 25,000 km, he says he hasn’t had to replace any defective parts, aside from routine maintenance. And this positive impression isn’t limited to the engine. «As far as I’m concerned, it’s a vehicle with exemplary reliability—whether it’s the engine, the chassis, or the electronics.»
But owning an Abarth Grande Punto today can be complicated when you need to find certain specific parts. Julien laments the lack of support from the dealer network. «The only problem is that if you need fairly specific parts, the dealers are completely at a loss and no one can help you.»
This is something to keep in mind for drivers considering the purchase of a used model of this car. While the mechanical reliability of this particular vehicle is reassuring, the availability of certain parts may make long-term maintenance more difficult.
A true Italian personality facing off against the young French athletes
Beyond performance and reliability, Julien particularly appreciates the style of his Abarth.
With its white body, red side mirrors, special wheels, and Abarth side stripes, this Grande Punto certainly doesn’t go unnoticed. Its styling also incorporates certain elements characteristic of Italian automotive design, starting with the headlights. «Of course, you immediately notice the Italian charm, with headlights inspired by the Maserati 4200 GT and the small leather interior details with red stitching.»
Julien also had the opportunity to drive small sports cars from Renault, Peugeot, and Seat. In his opinion, the Abarth Grande Punto holds its own against these competitors, thanks in particular to its value for money and the reliability of its engine.
Verdict: After six years, an Abarth worth rediscovering
With an overall score of 90/100, Julien’s assessment is particularly positive. His Abarth Grande Punto isn’t perfect: its power is modest compared to some rivals, its suspension is firm, its driving position could be better, and its rear end requires attention when you pick up the pace.
But in his view, these shortcomings are more than offset by a very pleasant engine, a precise transmission, powerful brakes, and, above all, reliability that has never failed him during the six years he has owned it.
With 222,639 km on the odometer, his car proves that a small Italian sports car can still be a lot of fun without requiring frequent trips to the shop.
What if the Abarth Grande Punto were one of the most underrated Italian compact sports cars of its generation today?
Thank you to Julien, a member of the Italpassion community, for his story and the photos of his Abarth Grande Punto. You, too, can Submit a test drive for your Italian car.
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