Car Test
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R0262 | |
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August 2002 |
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| Fiat Stilo | ||
| Printer Friendly Page | Featured model: 1.6 Dynamic 5 Door | |
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So, it’s arrividerci to the Brava/Bravo duo that never exactly had punters beating a path to Fiat showrooms. But the Italian giant is predicting that the outgoing models’ replacement, Stilo, is going to change all that.
The newcomer is, in fact, two different cars in terms of style, personality and size: the sleeker three-door is more of a sporting driver’s car, while the longer, taller five-door, tested here, is the practical family-friend model. Fiat admits that Stilo doesn’t boast the most technically advanced chassis, but concentrates rather on high-tech equipment, together with interior versatility and upmarket trim. Even the entry-level Active models are well equipped, particularly with safety features (including window airbags), while the flagship Abarth runs the gamut of goodies from an air quality sensor to xenon headlamps. Top optional feature in the toy department is Fiat’s Connect infotelematic system. It’s a sort of electronic Jeeves, based at a call centre near Milan, that will cater for your every (motoring) need. Our 1.6 Dynamic goes straight to the heart of the burgeoning lower-medium hatchback sector dominated by the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra – and several other contenders, too. Its list price is about LX/LS average, but its equipment list includes rear parking sensors, six airbags, two levels of power assistance for the steering, rain and light sensors (for automatic operation), plus the now obligatory air con button. There’s been a serious attempt to confer MPV-style seating adaptability on this tallish hatchback by providing more-than-the-usual seating variations. Plenty of adjustments keep most drivers happy, as well, although there’s no cushion tilt and the heater/vent controls can’t manage air to the screen and face vents at the same time; the underlying seat posture support is good, however. So it’s easy to be swayed by the Stilo’s considerable showroom and brochure appeal, and a hands-on inspection confirms that this Fiat is sturdily built with good attention to detail, inside and out. In fact, it weighs a lot more than the old Brava and its reconfigured 1.6 engine struggles to keep up with the pack. It’s also disappointingly vocal at higher cruising speeds. It rides well, however, and corners competently, although its handling responses make it a dullard compared with a Focus or an Alfa 156. |
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