Fiat Tipo review

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  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 Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 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.