Low cost, a term to which we do not always associate the best qualities and in which they can cloud the perception of something a lot, as with Fiat Type 1.3 Multijet here tested. An association that, as you conclude during this test, is actually something unfair.
Unfair because you don't need to spend a lot of time behind the wheel of Tipo to see that it has more qualities beyond its affordable price — at the level of proposals one segment below —, even surpassing itself in many aspects to more expensive or sophisticated rivals or potential rivals .
And what are these qualities?
We start with what is perhaps the most unexpected: robustness. As a rule, we associate low cost with something more fragile, but the Type of fragile has nothing. Yes, the interior is a huge “sea of plastic”, mostly hard and not pleasant to the touch — and the “Italian” design has little, it's uninspired, as is the exterior — but the assembly is in a good plan. Parasitic noises? There isn't… I can't say the same about other more expensive models that passed through Razão Automóvel's garage.
It's a solid “type” even when moving. The very well calibrated suspension of the Fiat Tipo 1.3 Multijet is an important part of this result, achieving a great balance between comfort and dynamic skills. Not only does it effectively contain bodywork movements, it also absorbs asphalt imperfections.
Then space. The Fiat Tipo 1.3 Multijet is among the most spacious in the segment. In the back, even someone who is 1.80 m tall or more should have no difficulty traveling comfortably, with plenty of room for feet and legs. And the 440 l charged by the trunk is only surpassed by the 467 l of the Skoda Scala and the 478 l of the much longer Honda Civic — it's just regrettable that there is a step between the opening of the trunk and the floor.
Space is not lacking at the back of the Fiat Tipo. Access is also quite good, thanks to the wide opening of the doors and a relatively flat roof. Even the central passenger shouldn't have much trouble settling down.
Tipo, like Scala, uses a platform used by models from the segment below (500L) — one of the reasons we could accuse it of being low cost — but one of the benefits of being “stretched” to the segment above, is to make it possible to combine generous internal dimensions with reasonably compact external dimensions.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Finally, even knowing that the Fiat Tipo 1.3 Multijet is not at all the one with the greatest technological arsenal, the infotainment system that equips it, the Uconnect, continues to be among the best available. It has a short learning curve, the 7″ screen has good resolution and responsiveness at a good level — the same cannot be said for the rear camera (optional)… a detail to review.
There is a new generation of Uconnect on the way — it will be up to the new Fiat 500 to debut it — which should also be part of the Tipo (restyling later this year, it seems).
Sport? only the style
“Our” Fiat Tipo 1.3 Multijet is also Sport, but “sport” has little. Besides the stiffer aspect, there are no differences in the calibration of the steering or suspension, as happens, for example, in the Hyundai i30 N Line.
But as I mentioned earlier, the comfort/behavior binomial is on a high plane. Although the Sport comes with larger wheels (225/45 and 17” wheels), comfort is not impaired and dynamically proved to be effective and even more interesting to drive than others in the segment.
Attack a con gusto chain of curves, and even though it is not the most communicative direction, this one is precise and has a natural action, complemented by a responsive front axle. It resists understeer well, and even when we hit the limits of grip, the Type was always progressive and secure. It's even capable of entertaining, but we would need another engine than the 1.3 Multijet…
1.3 Multijet, the redemption?
My history with the 1.3 Multijet is long and not always remembered with the sweetest words. I would like to point out that my personal disdain has nothing to do with its reliability and durability, quite the contrary. The proof is in the several cars equipped with the 1.3 Multijet that passed by the house and by several family members — one of which accumulates around 300 thousand kilometers and doesn't seem to stop anytime soon…
But this little Diesel — just 1248 cm3 — was always lacking in terms of pleasantness to use, characterized by a rough treatment and a sound that even for a Diesel is difficult to accept.
The good news is that, with two decades of evolution on top — we saw it for the first time in 2003, in the Fiat Punto II — this latest version we have on the Tipo is the best of all those I've tried (and it was practically all…).
“We have engine” right at 1500 rpm, unlike previous versions of the 1.3 Multijet. In the past, it bordered on the desperate in some contexts, especially in city driving, as up to 2000 rpm there was like a ditch, where the engine seemed to have no power. Although the usage range still seems somewhat short — it doesn't do much good to go beyond 3000 rpm — now, regardless of the driving context, it is possible to use the 1.3 Multijet without fear.
If the use has improved, the roughness in the treatment (it improves a little when at the correct operating temperature) and the sound not really. Pulling a relationship is a non-recommended sound experience.
We ended up having to do it, as it is 1450 kg in running order and only 95 hp. Predictably, the Fiat Tipo 1.3 Multijet won't win any races. But with 200 Nm of torque available from 1500 rpm and the manual gearbox with five somewhat short ratios — accurate, but the stroke could be a little shorter — allow for some lightness in step at more moderate speeds.
What it lacks in benefits… and pleasantness, it makes up for in appetite, or rather, lack of it. Consumption was marked between 3.7 l/100 km (90 km/h) and 6.6 l/100 km (the “crumbling” of 95 hp). At highway speeds (120-130 km/h) it was 5.3, in cities it was very close to 6.0, and in everyday life (city mix with some expressways) it was 5.1 -5.2 l/100 km.
LED only for daytime running lights. The Fiat Tipo 1.3 Multijet Sport comes equipped with xenon headlights.
Is the car right for me?
The Fiat Type 1.3 Multijet remains the most affordable way to have a small family diesel — spacious, economical and… robust — on the market, and for many it can be the clincher.
The Sport version tested here exceeds 25 thousand euros (with options), but there are other Fiat Tipo 1.3 Multijet starting at just over 20 thousand euros.
A "sea of plastic", too gray and an uninspired design — far from others that Fiat has offered us. Positive note for assembly: parasitic noises? None.
Its biggest rival, the Skoda Scala, is newer and a superior proposition — more thoughtful presentation, superior tech content — but its more affordable Diesel version (1.6 TDI) is also much more expensive. It starts at over 26 thousand euros, a price even slightly above the most affordable of the Type… 1.6 120 hp Multijet.
The Fiat Tipo 1.3 Multijet turns out to be a little in no man's land, but it still has good arguments in its favor, such as low consumption or less impact on the fiscal machine.
As a rule, a Diesel will make more sense the more kilometers travelled. Is it possible to make the Fiat Tipo 1.3 Multijet a familiar roadrunner? No doubt. Large distances are covered comfortably and the only regret is the soundproofing at highway speeds (rolling noise and aerodynamics) which could have been better — part of the reason may lie in the large wheels...
Conclusion? There are definitely more arguments in the Tipo than the affordable price — low cost? Not really…