Item: Fiat Tipo
Rating: 2
Author: What Car? Team

Audi A3

BMW 1 Series

Citroën C4 Cactus

DS 4 & 4 Crossback

Fiat Tipo

Ford Focus

Honda Civic

Hyundai i30

Hyundai i30 Fastback

Kia Ceed

Kia XCeed

Lexus CT

Mazda 3

Mercedes A-Class

Peugeot 308

Renault Megane

Seat Leon

Skoda Octavia

Skoda Scala

Subaru Impreza

Toyota Corolla

Vauxhall Astra 

Volkswagen Golf

Volvo V40 Cross Country

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

Entry-level Tipos undercut rivals such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">VW Golf</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/hatchback/review/n37">Ford Focus</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/astra/hatchback/review/n17347">Vauxhall Astra</a> by a considerable margin, but the gap is soon closed if you choose a high trim level, such as S-Design or Sport, or either of the two most powerful engines. The Station Wagon estate costs around £1000 more than the hatchback.

The Tipo doesn’t <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/depreciation-what-is-it-and-how-do-i-avoid-it/n1122">hold its value</a> as well as its better-known rivals, although the diesel versions of the Tipo do make a fair amount of sense as a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/check-your-company-car-tax-rate/n1255">company car</a> thanks to their sub-100g/km <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/new-official-fuel-consumption-and-co2-tests-explained/n1213">CO2 emissions</a>. The range-topping 1.6-litre diesel averaged 49.1mpg in our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/true-mpg-most-and-least-efficient-cars-revealed/n14356">real-world True MPG tests</a>, which is a little disappointing when you consider the Vauxhall Astra 1.6 CDTi 110 returned 56.3mpg.

The petrol versions make the most sense if you're buying privately. We reckon the 1.4 T-Jet 120 is the best of these, although the entry-level 94bhp 1.4 is worth considering if you're on a really tight budget. Whichever engine you choose, avoid range-topping S-Design and Sport trims; they’re too pricey. Entry-level Easy trim gets the basics (air-con, electric front windows and DAB radio), although we’d recommend moving up to Easy Plus, which adds alloys, electric rear windows, cruise control, rear parking sensors and a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system.

It’s good to see that even the Easy trim gets <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">autonomous emergency braking</a> as standard, while you can add a Safety Pack Plus to get adaptive cruise control. Despite this sophisticated equipment, though, the Tipo only scored four stars out of five from <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/euro-ncap-safety-ratings-2019-%E2%80%93-how-safe-is-your-car/n17044">Euro NCAP</a>. Fiat as a manufacturer finished mid-table in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2018-what-car-reliability-survey/n17826">2018 What Car? Reliability Survey</a>, which is at least above Volkswagen, Ford and Volvo.&nbsp;

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There’s a selection of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/do-i-choose-petrol-or-diesel/n1110">petrol and diesel</a> engines available for both the Tipo hatchback and Tipo Station Wagon. There are two 1.4-litre petrols, one with 94bhp and a turbocharged version with 118bhp. The two diesel engines are a 95bhp 1.3-litre and a 118bhp 1.6-litre.

So far, we’ve only tried the most potent petrol and diesel engines. Although each can go from 0-60mph in less than 10 seconds, the Tipo never feels especially brisk. On paper, the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine is quickest, although&nbsp; the 1.6 diesel feels more muscular on the road, thanks to its extra low-rev grunt.

Although it sounds strained when you work it harder, the 1.4-litre turbo petrol is generally much smoother and quieter than the 1.6 diesel. The latter is rather gruff when accelerating and becomes coarse at high revs, although it settles down to a distant hum at cruising speeds. The Tipo isn't a great motorway car, though, because there's far too much wind noise around the windscreen pillars at 70mph. The six-speed manual gearbox is also notchy and feels imprecise, although it is at least light to operate.

Those who like to have fun behind the wheel will be better off in a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/hatchback/review/n37">Ford Focus</a>, though. The Tipo doesn't feel keen to change direction, leans more when it does and ultimately doesn’t grip the road as well as the best family hatchbacks. Meanwhile, the steering is heavy at low speeds and vague on faster roads, making it hard to place the car, especially around tight corners. There's a 'city' button on the dashboard that makes the steering lighter, but this is only really useful when parking.

There’s more bad news if you’re hoping the Tipo’s stodgy handling translates to a comfortable ride. Yes, it has fairly soft suspension, but there’s always an underlying quiver through the body – even along roads that look respectably smooth. Rivals such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/astra/hatchback/review/n17347">Vauxhall Astra</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">VW Golf</a> are much better at smoothing over potholes more effectively, while staying more settled on the motorway.&nbsp;

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

http://example.com

Were you one of those kids who bumbled along in life while your younger sibling became the star student, the golden child, and secretly (but not so secretly) your parents’ favourite child? Well, spare a thought for the Fiat Tipo.&nbsp;

Despite being a practical, well-equipped and purse-friendly family hatchback, the Tipo lives in the shadow of the exceedingly popular and Instagram-famous <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500</a>. While its style-conscious sibling puts fashion first, though, the Tipo’s strong suit is value-for-money; it undercuts many big-name rivals, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/hatchback/review/n37">Ford Focus</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">Volkswagen Golf</a>.&nbsp;

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PAMGwqGJVKM"></iframe>

The Tipo is a spacious five-door hatchback with a decent amount of standard equipment;&nbsp; even the most basic versions get air conditioning, electric front windows, a DAB radio and Bluetooth. And if the hatchback isn’t versatile enough for you, there’s also a Fiat Tipo Station Wagon estate that takes on the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/estate/review/n8">Focus Estate</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/estate/review/n22">Golf Estate</a>.&nbsp;

Depending on trim level, the Tipo goes head-to-head on price with the likes of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/ceed/hatchback/review/n17863">Kia Ceed</a>, and can’t compete with the budget price tag of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55">Dacia Sandero</a>. Choose a diesel engine, though, or one of the upper trim levels, and the price rises to make the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/astra/hatchback/review/n17347">Vauxhall Astra</a> a tempting alternative.&nbsp;

But is there more to the Fiat Tipo than the cold light of cost? Read on over the next few pages for everything you need to know about Fiat’s <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/family">family car,</a> including the best engines and trims. And once you’ve made your decision, head to our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Buying</a> pages to see what kind of saving you can make, without haggling.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

There's a small strip of soft-touch plastic on the top of the dashboard, but hard plastic almost everywhere else. It has an odd texture, too, and some of the buttons and switches on the dashboard feel a bit low-rent. While it’s no disgrace on the lower-priced trim levels, but might expect higher standards when paying the sort of cash the range-topping 1.6 diesel commands.

Getting comfortable is easy enough thanks to plenty of adjustment to both the steering wheel and driver's seat, with adjustable lumbar support available on S-Design and&nbsp; top-spec Sport models.

Visibility is okay out of the front, but thick rear pillars and small rear screen restrict your over-the-shoulder view. To help get around this, rear parking sensors are standard on Mirror trim and above, and a reversing camera is added on Lounge trim and above.

Lower-specced Easy and Street models only get a radio with DAB and Bluetooth connectivity, but all other trims get a 7.0in touchscreen and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> as standard. The screen is mounted high on the dash, so you don't need to divert your eyes far from the road too far to see it. However, some of the menu icons are small and difficult to select on the move, and there can be a delay when selecting a function.

Hatchback

Modern Fiats fall into two categories: the retro models and those with more functional designs.

Cars in the first camp appeal to the heart and include the 124 Spider sports car and the 500 series: a hatchback, a convertible, an SUV and two MPVs.

By contrast, the remaining models rely on their practicality and attractive pricing, with the Panda city car, Tipo hatchback and Fullback pick-up truck all prime examples.

Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, along with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep and Maserati.

FIAT

TIPO

Well equipped and spacious. Rivals are better to drive and classier inside, though

The Tipo is impressively roomy inside. Those in front have plenty of head and leg room, and even if that driver is over six feet tall, a similarly sized adult will fit behind them easily enough. Rear leg room is decent by class standards, although sit in the back of a Skoda Octavia or a Vauxhall Astra and you'll have more space between your knees and the front seatbacks.

Rear head room isn’t quite as impressive, but only if you're very tall will you notice your hair brushing the ceiling. Meanwhile, the middle rear seat is blighted by an uncomfortable backrest, while entry-level Easy models only have two rear head restraints so aren't safe for carrying more than four people anyway.

The Tipo has a bigger boot than the majority of rivals in this class – including the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and VW Golf, although you'll squeeze even more in the boot of a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/octavia/hatchback/review/n39">Skoda Octavia</a>. The Tipo's load bay isn't particularly clever, though – there's no height-adjustable boot floor to iron out the huge lip at the entrance, and although the rear seat backs can be folded down (in a 60/40) split, this leaves an annoying step in the floor of the extended load bay.

tipo

Life

life

City Sport

city-sport

Well equipped and spacious, but the best value is found towards the bottom of the range. Rivals are better to drive and classier inside, too.


<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of practical space </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>A comfortable ride </li> <li>A healthy equipment list </li> <li>Quality materials and thoughtful touches inside </li> <li>Rock-solid reliability</li></ul>

Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and holidays.

The Skoda Scala is a relative newcomer, but it's&nbsp;already carved out a name for itself in this segment.&nbsp;If you're looking for a moderately priced car that combines a supple ride, neat handling, a spacious interior and a capacious boot&nbsp;it's well worth a look.&nbsp;Alternatively, if you're looking for entertaining handling then the&nbsp;BMW 1 Series may well be for you. It's great to drive, rides well&nbsp;and also comes with a top-notch interior, featuring one of our very favourite infotainment systems.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Toyota Corolla&nbsp;is another great choice. This latest version of one of the world's best-selling cars of all time can be had with a choice of two different petrol-electric hybrid engines, both of which should mean&nbsp;potentially lower fuel bills. It's comfortable, well equipped and should be very reliable, too.&nbsp;

Fiat Tipo review

Introduction

What Car? says...