The effort Alfa has put into matching the interior ambience to the Mito’s kerbside appeal is obvious. The two-piece dash with swathes of carbon-fabric is not understated, especially if you choose to have the carbon-fabric in red or blue. But it does lend the Mito a suitable sense of occasion and is more upmarket than the term ‘carbon-fabric’ suggests
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While leather upholstery is an £880 option, a leather steering wheel and gearlever are standard (on Turismo and above). Overall, though, the interior is not styled as cohesively as the exterior. Or the Mini’s.
The driving position is generally good, but is spoilt by a few small flaws. Alfa should be applauded for a seat that allows the driver to sit sufficiently low, a rare thing in this class. This feeling of sitting in the car rather than on it immediately helps deliver the sporting ambition Alfa is so keen to provide.
More good news is that the steering wheel can be brought close to your chest. But the rake adjustment disappoints by keeping the wheel a touch high. Further niggles are an awkward clutch footrest and seats that, although good to look at, could be more supportive.
Rear accommodation is not hugely spacious, but two six-footers can sit in line, although it’s unlikely they would want to travel any great distance.
With base prices that start from well under what it requires to get into a Mini, the Mito is positioned as a premium small hatchback. Our valuers predict that initially Mitos will depreciate broadly in line with Minis. Both are impressive, retaining half their value after four years, but we’re unconvinced the Mito will sustain this in the longer term. Insurance costs are par for the course and service intervals are a generous 18,000 miles.
During our tests we consumed fuel at a rate of 30.9mpg and achieved close to 40mpg on a touring route. That’s shy of the combined figure but not disastrous for a 153bhp hatchback.
