Fiat’s 124 might share its name – and a few styling cues – with 1967’s European Car of the Year but the lightweight two-seater roadster launched last year owes its existence to a Japanese legend, namely the MX-5.

Fiat’s designers have done an excellent job of putting a great deal of distance between the two cars and although there are a couple of nods towards the original – particularly the swallow-tail rear and twin power domes that adorn the long bonnet – the 124’s task is clearly not to evoke memories of its namesake in the same way that the 500 does.

The 124 is broad and muscular, but not overly aggressive, with the expansive bonnet, low-slung cockpit and long wheelbase lending it a classic roadster look.

If the Fiat looks bigger than the Mazda that’s because it is. The two cars do not share a single body panel and the front and rear overhangs on the Italian extend a little further beyond the wheels.

The general consensus among the several people that I canvassed was that the Fiat just about has the edge over the Mazda in the looks department but the increased proportions do have a noticeable impact on the chassis’ 50/50 weight distribution.

With that additional metalwork there’s inevitably more mass too and, while but it’s not a huge increase over the svelte MX-5, there’s no escaping the fact that much of it is hanging out over the front end of the Fiat.

The cabin is almost a direct transplant of the MX-5’s interior. The biggest giveaway is the seven-inch infotainment screen atop the dashboard – an option on the entry level Classica – which is even running the same software. If you’re paying attention when you start the motor you might notice that the Fiat badge has, sensibly, replaced Mazda’s when the infotainment system boots up.

It’s not a bad decision – the ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ adage applies here – because the system is very easy to operate using the command dial. The screen does respond to touch, a tad reluctantly it must be said, which, in the Fiat, is the less awkward option because the controller is situated under your left elbow.

By refraining from fiddling with the interior too much – apart from subtle revisions to the upholstery on the seats and dashboard in an attempt to move the 124 upmarket – Fiat has inherited a well-organised, well-built and thoughtfully laid out cabin.

The steering wheel is adjustable for rake only, but the driving position is excellent. I did spend a disproportionate amount of time adjusting my seat, however, and it had nothing to do with comfort. In certain configurations the seat back would rub against the bulkhead and generate a sound that I can only describe as an over-zealous balloon modeller doing what balloon modellers do.

Even the top-of-the-range Lusso Plus's Bose stereo with nine speakers, including four in the headrest, was unable to drown it out.

The manual roof mechanism is an absolute delight. Just a single latch releases the hood from the windscreen frame and dropping it is a one-handed operation. Raising it is just as simple.

The 1.4-litre MultiAir turbocharged engine produces what seems, on paper at least, an unsatisfying 138bhp but, when theory turns to practice, you’ll discover a surprising turn of pace with the sprint to 62mph taking just 7.5 seconds with a top speed of 134mph.

That performance doesn’t come easily, however, because in order to extract the maximum from the engine you need to keep the revs above 2,000rpm, let it slip below that threshold and you’ll find yourself struggling to gain momentum.

Fortunately the six-speed manual gearbox has a nice positive, clean action and well-judged gear ratios so working the engine hard isn’t quite the bind that it could otherwise have been. The brakes are nice and progressive with good feel.

The ride is softer than the MX-5, more compliant. Consequently it offers less encouragement when you’re faced with a series of tricky corners. That’s not to say the 124 can’t handle being chucked through a few tight and twisty bends, nor that it’s incapable of rewarding more enthusiastic drivers.

The secret is to be considered with your inputs, straighten up the bends as much as possible and trail the brakes gently.

What becomes obvious as you spend more time in the 124 is that it is, primarily, a long-distance cruiser. It’s response to undulations in the road surfaces is considered, calm and relaxed. It’s the same regardless of the ground that you’re covering. Put simply, the 124 is a very comfortable car if you’ve got a lot of miles to cover, even if those miles take you down some unforgiving roads.

The Fiat 124 is a distinctive car, on the surface, at least. Scratch away, however, and you’ll find more than a little of a Japanese roadster lurking underneath.

While designers have gone to great lengths to put some distance between the Italian and its donor car on the outside the interior is a very different matter.

I don’t think that’s a bad choice, after all, it might not be original but it all works beautifully and, when you’re behind the wheel, you’ll be grateful that all the controls – command dial aside – are within easy reach and right where you expect them to be.

The decision to soften the chassis’ responses is a deliberate one, and a wise one. The 124’s additional weight would be a handicap if it tried to go toe-to-toe with the MX-5 which, despite their close relationship, is also a rival so giving the Fiat a slightly different remit avoids an unsightly confrontation.

Rivals are few and far between in this particular arena but that doesn’t mean Fiat can get away with delivering a car that’s anything less than exceptional and as close to brilliant as possible, not when the MX-5 has already set such remarkable standards.

On the whole the 124 does everything it needs to, and does them well. It’s softer, less direct and more compromised than its Japanese half-sibling, but has other virtues that force it back into contention, such as its compliant, comfortable ride, slick gearbox and competence as a mile-munching cruiser.

It might not be the keenest of drives, but it’s more than enough for all but the keenest of drivers.

Fiat 124 Lusso Plus 1.4 MultiAir Turbo 140hp

Price: £23,295

Engine: 1.4-litre MultiAir turbo

Transmission: 6-speed manual driving the rear wheels

Max power: 140hp

Max torque: 240Nm @2,250rpm

Max speed: 134mph

Acceleration (0-62mph): 7.5sec

Urban: 33.2mpg

Extra urban: 55.4mpg

Combined: 44.1mpg

Emissions (CO2): 148g/km

For more information visit www.fiat.co.uk