CarGurus expert rating: 2 out of 5
CarGurus user rating: 4.0 out of 5
Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 30.8%
Overall CarGurus rating:* 3.8 out of 5
Available Listings: Around 65
Average Price: N/A

Alfa Romeo MiTo (2008-2018) Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Distinctive styling	Not as fun to drive as an Alfa should be
Frugal diesels	Cheap-looking, cramped cabin
Sporty driving position	No five-door version

Quick Summary

The Alfa Romeo MiTo (2008-2018) is a stylish three-door premium supermini designed to challenge the MINI Cooper and Audi A1. With its distinctive shield-shaped grille, bug-eyed headlights, and elegant body lines echoing Alfa's design heritage, the MiTo certainly turns heads. However, the attractive exterior is undermined by a cramped cabin with cheap-feeling plastics and underwhelming switchgear. The low driving position is engaging, but practicality suffers due to the three-door layout and limited rear legroom, making it unsuitable for families needing regular five-seat capacity.

The MiTo's handling is competent but uninspiring, with vague steering and unsettled ride quality that fails to deliver the dynamic engagement expected from an Alfa Romeo. Engine options include frugal 1.3-litre diesels achieving around 65-70mpg in real-world driving, peppy 1.4-litre petrol units, and a thrashy two-cylinder TwinAir. The hot hatch Veloce variant offers more excitement but at a premium. Insurance groups range from eight to 27, with most models in the lower brackets. Whilst the MiTo has undeniable style, it lacks the substance, build quality, and reliability to justify its premium positioning against stronger rivals.

Best for: Style-conscious buyers seeking a distinctive premium supermini with a sporty driving position and frugal diesel options.

Not ideal for: Those prioritising driving engagement, build quality, reliability, practicality, or five-door convenience, or buyers seeking better value in the supermini segment.


Comparison vs Key Rivals



The Verdict

You should buy the MiTo if: You prioritise distinctive styling and a sporty driving position, and seek frugal diesel options in a premium supermini package.

Consider alternatives if: You value driving engagement, build quality, reliability, practicality, or better value for money in the supermini segment.

Competitive Position: The Alfa Romeo MiTo (2008-2018) occupies a challenging position in the premium supermini market. Whilst its distinctive styling and frugal diesel engines have appeal, it falls short against stronger rivals. The Ford Fiesta offers superior driving dynamics and better value, the MINI Hatch delivers greater engagement and a more upmarket feel, and the Audi A1 provides superior build quality and materials. Reliability concerns with both Alfa Romeo as a brand and the MiTo specifically further undermine its appeal. For most buyers, the alternatives represent better propositions, offering more substance to back up their premium positioning.

Read our full Alfa Romeo MiTo Review

*The Overall CarGurus rating: that informs these recommendations is based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from June 2026, CarGurus expert reviews, and CarGurus user reviews.

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