THERE are two very good reasons why the new Fiat Tipo family hatchback will pull in the punters.

With a starting price of under £13,000 there is little else in this sector to compete with it in the value stakes.

Being deceptively roomy, it also offers class-leading legroom and headroom. In fact, it will accommodate three six-footers in the back, while the boot offers 440 litres of luggage space.

So if value and space are at the top of your shopping list, then the Tipo might be the one for you.

However, we're spoilt for choice when it comes to hatchbacks, and the Tipo simply cannot compete with the Ford Focus, VW Golf, Vauxhall Astra et al in terms of ride and handling.

Tick the boxes for exceptional roominess, high specification, robust quality and satisfactory efficiency, and even a sprinkling of Italian flair, but don't expect anything but ordinary in the steering stakes.

For many people, the fact that the Tipo isn't much fun to drive will not be of great importance. It has a relaxed has a relaxed feel through its soft suspension and delivers a smooth ride.

But rivals such as the Ford Focus are head and shoulders above it when it comes to the driving experience.

If space is your priority you might also consider the Tipo station wagon, which adds an additional 110 litres of boot space and can also carry loads of up to 1.8m in length courtesy of an extra 20cm of length (4.57 metres) and its flip-and-fold 60/40 split rear seats that provide a completely flat load floor. It also comes with standard-fit longitudinal roof bars and a low load sill with reconfigurable components such as an adjustable load floor and removable side storage panels.

The Tipo comes in three trim levels and features numerous cabin compartments with a variety of shapes and capacities totalling 12 litres, plus a USB port for charging and connecting devices.

The entry-level trim level is equipped with air conditioning, remote central locking, front electric windows, body-coloured door mirrors with electric adjustment, six airbags, DAB digital radio, chrome door handles, split rear seats, a front seat centre arm rest, USB and Bluetooth connectivity with steering wheel remote controls. The station wagon adds rear electric windows and longitudinal roof bars.

Key options for the entry-level version include front fog lights (£150), dark tinted rear windows (£175), rear electric windows (£240 - standard on station wagon), 16-inch alloy wheels (£350), rear parking sensors (£300) and a five-inch Uconnect touchscreen system with Live services, DAB and satellite navigation (£500).

The mid-range trim level adds a five-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob, rear power windows, LED daytime running lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, rear parking sensors and cruise control. The price for the mid-level trim is £1,000 above that of the equivalent entry-level Tipo.

Also included with the mid-level version are the Uconnect LIVE services, which combines with a smartphone app to offer music streaming and the ability use social media.

Two safety packs are available, with Safety Pack B offering a speed limiter and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) for £250 and Safety Pack A adding adaptive cruise control (ACC) in addition to the speed limiter and AEB for £500. Safety Pack A is not available with the entry trim level or 1.4-litre engine.

The top trim level, which is priced £1,000 above the equivalent mid-level version, adds satellite navigation with TomTom LIVE services including HD Traffic, climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, rear view camera, driver's side lumbar support and a chrome pack . Key options include leather upholstery with heated seats (£750) and Safety Packs A (£500) and B (£250).

There are three petrol engines - a 1.4-litre producing 95hp, a 1.4 T-Jet turbo petrol with 120hp and the 1.6-litre e-TorQ engine producing 110hp - and two turbo diesel engines - a 1.3-litre MultiJet II producing 95hp and a 1.6-litre MultiJet II with an output of 120hp.

For those seeking an automatic petrol car, the 1.6-litre E-torQ petrol engine has been combined with six-speed automatic transmission

The top diesel engine in the range is the 1.6 MultiJet II 120hp unit, available with a six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission.

Prices for the 1.4 hatchback start at £12,995 and prices for the station wagon start at £13,995.