Fiat Tipo Hatchback 1.6TDI Multijet Lounge 120hp review

Date: 04 January 2017 | Author: Debbie Wood

Category:	Lower medium
P11D price:	£17,940
Key rival:	Vauxhall Astra

Think Fiat and the funky 500 supermini is likely to be the first car that springs to mind.

But new for 2016 is this, the Tipo, which couldn't be more different to its best-selling city car sibling if it tried. Majoring on practicality, budget pricing and sensible motoring, the Tipo aims to take the fight to the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra, something that the first Tipo, which ceased production in 1995, and previous Bravo and Stilo hatchback models in the Fiat line-up, have failed to do.

How do the figures stack up?

The Tipo is unlikely to win any awards for refinement or driving pleasure, but the design is also unlikely to offend, and when it comes to value for money, in base spec there are few that can compete.

Here we're testing the Tipo in its top-of-the-range trim, Lounge, which comes with a higher price tag but still represents excellent levels of kit versus the cash. As standard you get satnav, a reversing camera, climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels and automatic lights and wipers.

Inside

The infotainment screen is a little on the small side and doesn't offer the best resolution, but the sensible and simplistic cabin offers good quality throughout and a generous amount of space, especially for those in the rear seats.

Its 440-litre boot trumps many of its rivals too, offering plenty of space for the weekly shop or a weekend getaway. The only niggle is that the rear seats don't fold entirely flat.

On the road

There are five engine choices in the Tipo. Here, we're testing the higher-powered diesel, which is likely to be a popular choice with company car drivers.

It's not the most engaging of cars to drive and the engine is pretty utilitarian sounding at times. That said, the ride quality overall is good, and the 120hp and 320Nm of torque provides enough pull to make decent progress. Mated to the engine is a six-speed manual and, officially, the 0-62mph sprint is completed in 9.8 seconds.

Rear

CO2 emissions of 98g/km are competitive with rivals, and a combined fuel economy of 76.3mpg will help keep fuel bills low. We achieved around 50mpg overall on a variety of trips, which is very good.

The steering is a little on the vague side and there's a little bodyroll in the corners too. However, the Tipo isn't about sporty pace or characterful handling, and as a simple, no-fuss car to get you from A to B, it firmly ticks the box.

Whole-life costs

With a price range starting at just £12,995, the Tipo scores well against its rivals when it comes to whole-life costs. Even this model, which bridges that margin a bit, still comes out on top against a similarly spec'd Astra, Focus and Renault Megane with a pence-per-mile figure of just 42.0p.

Its residual value figure of 31.4% is better than expected too, easily beating all three of the above rivals.