Fiat Tipo review

• For: Low prices, good spec, spacious interior
• Against: Cabin quality, uninspiring drive, feels dated
• Verdict: Spacious budget hatchback and estate

It would be easy to dismiss the Tipo as an irrelevance. It has the feel of a European rental car – the kind of vehicle you ditch at the airport and never give a second thought.

But if you’re in the market for an affordable and spacious hatchback or estate, the Fiat is worth a look.

The range starts at £15,000 for the Tipo Easy, which comes with air conditioning, cruise control, DAB and Bluetooth. For around £1,000 more, the Mirror is the range sweet-spot, offering a seven-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and rear parking sensors.

There are two 1.4-litre petrol engines and the turbocharged T-Jet is the pick of the pair. A 1.6-litre diesel completes the range.

All are rather uninspiring to drive, although the T-Jet offers a decent turn of pace.

Cabin quality could be better, but a strong finance offer could make the Tipo more attractive than it first appears.

KEY INFO

• Launched: 2015
• Facelifted: 2021
• Due for replacement: TBC