2003 Fiat Stilo review from UK and Ireland

This was a Hertz Hire Drive car that I had for one week.

Nothing appeared wrong with the car when I picked it up, and nothing went wrong in the 900 miles that I covered.

A few bits of trim looked fragile and might not last well.

THINGS I LIKED.

Powerful engine mated to good gear ratios - car accelerated willingly from almost any speed in any gear. At 70mph cruising on motorway there was a lot of power still available.

The high centre armrest that allowed the left elbow to rest comfortably.

Big easy to use controls on the radio/cassette.

The reverse warning radar which bleeped on close approach to an obstruction - very useful in an unfamiliar hire drive car.

Good fuel consumption - driven hard for 900 miles, and with no regard for economy the car returned 36 miles per gallon.

THINGS I DID NOT LIKE.

Although the gear ratios were good, the gearshift was baulky, obstructive and sometimes needed a hard push to engage.

Radio was easy to use, but sound quality was mediocre.

Nowhere to rest left foot to the left of the clutch pedal.

Car tended to wander in side winds and road camber. It was not that it "pulled" to one side - it just tended to wander off the straight line and needed constant correction.

Tyre noise and road rumble quite noticeable at higher speeds.