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Fiat Stilo

Car test
R0206
January 2002
FIRST
Fiat Stilo
DRIVE
Featured model: 5-door 1.6 Dynamic
AT A GLANCE
considering size, price and rivals
Controls/displays
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Handling/steering
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Comfort
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Space/practicality
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THE STILO RANGE
size and type 3- and 5-door lower-
medium (mid-priced) hatchback
trim levels Active, Dynamic, Abarth
engines petrol: 4 cylinder/1.2 litre/80bhp,
4/1.6/103, 4/1.8/133, 5/2.4/170;
diesel: 4/1.9/115
drive front-wheel drive, 1.2 : 6-speed
manual, 1.6/1.8 : 5-speed manual, 2.4
Abarth : 5-speed Selespeed sequential
automatic
comfort. Nevertheless, it lacks the Ford’s deft
notable features (according to model)
steering and cornering touch, with electric
sliding/reclining back seats,
SO, IT’S ARRIVIDERCI TO THE
Brava/Bravo duo that never exactly
had punters beating a path to Fiat
power steering that’s short on feel – though
xenon/see-you-home headlamps,
showrooms. But the Italian giant is predicting
not as vague as some. A “City” button makes
electric power steering, Connect
that the outgoing models’ replacement, Stilo,
it finger-twirlingly light for easy parking –
infotelematic system, cooled glovebox,
is going to change all that.
especially useful for disabled people.
curtain airbags, parking/rain/dusk
The newcomer is, in fact, two different
Plenty of seat and steering wheel
sensors. Options: integrated child seats,
cars in terms of style, personality and size:
adjustments result in an easily tailored
rear side airbags, radar cruise control
the sleeker three-door is more of a
driving position. The cushion tilt isn’t ideal,
sporting driver’s car, while the longer,
though, and there’s no footroom alongside
VITAL STATISTICS (cm)
taller
five-door
is
the
practical,
the clutch. Although the soft-feel facia and
length x width (exc mirrors)
425x178
family-friendly model.
especially the centre stack are busy with
front- legroom
88-106
Fiat admits that Stilo doesn’t boast the
buttons, they’re all in easy reach.
- headroom (no sunroof) 94-98
most technically advanced chassis, but
The Stilo isn’t quite the longest model in its
rear - typical legroom
101
concentrates rather on high-tech equipment,
class but, at 153cm, it’s taller than its rivals,
- typical kneeroom
70
together with interior versatility and upmarket
so headroom all round is particularly good.
- headroom
95
trim. Even the entry-level Active models are
So is footspace, but kneeroom isn’t
- hiproom
132
well equipped, particularly with safety
over-generous. Sensibly, the 60/40 divided,
load space with all seats in use (litres/cu ft)
features (including window airbags), while
fold-flat seats recline up to 30 degrees on
(back seat forward)
490/17.3
the flagship Abarth runs the gamut of
the five-door model, and also slide fore and
(back seat rearward)
405/14.3
goodies from an air quality sensor to xenon
aft by 8cm. This means comfortable
load length (seats up/folded) 73/138
headlamps. Top feature in the toy
accommodation for passengers or extra
load width
101
department is Fiat’s Connect infotelematic
length to the deep and roomy boot – pity
load sill height (inside/outside) 21/69
system. It’s a sort of electronic Jeeves,
about the high rear sill, though.
boot/load aperture height
55/86
based at a call centre near Milan, that will
cater for your every (motoring) need.
VERDICT
From the wide range of models, we
LIKES ...
concentrated on the optimistically named
The Stilo won’t give the opposition
sleepless nights as far as performance
push-down-flush rear head restraints
1.6-litre Dynamic, whose 103bhp engine gives
and deportment are concerned, but
lots of storage spaces
pretty much par-for-the-course performance
three cheers for its soundly engineered
cooled glovebox
that’s aided by an excellent gearchange. The
feel and high quality cabin. Fiat has
rear side airbags available
twin-cam 16-valver is a smooth revver, but only
begins to feel really perky from about 3500rpm,
been far from stinting with the
equipment and safety features, too. We
and GRIPES
at which point it develops a muted sporty growl.
were actually expecting rather more in
low-mounted heater controls
Motorway cruising is relaxed, however, with
the way of passenger space, but that
space-saver spare wheel
low wind and tyre noise.
sliding back seat could prove useful.
no tread plates to protect sills
Thanks to supple suspension, the Stilo
Quite the best family Fiat for years.
hint of orange-peel paint finish
runs rivals like the Focus close on ride
© The Automobile Association Limited 2002