Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Fiat Tipo (2016-2023) review

The Fiat Tipo comes as a compact hatch or SW estate, and it's easy to drive, offers decent space and is good value for money

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
  • Good value
  • Spacious interior
  • Quiet and easy to drive
  • Dull driving experience
  • Uninspiring design
  • Rivals are cheaper to run
Find your Fiat Tipo
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

Just so you know, this is an older review of the 2016-2023 Fiat Tipo. If you are interested in information about a used Fiat Tipo, or news about the latest Fiat models, please follow the links provided.

The Fiat Tipo is a well-rounded budget hatch. It offers more than enough practicality for most situations, while the strong engine and comfortable chassis make it an acceptable family five-door to live with. However, it’s the Fiat’s thrifty running costs that seal the deal.

Advertisement - Article continues below

While the entry-level Tipo is especially cheap in Europe, the higher UK pricing invites comparison with some much more accomplished rivals. The Vauxhall Astra, for example, is much more fun to drive without sacrificing economy or comfort - and that’s where the Tipo loses out most.

While many Italian cars have character that helps gloss over their shortcomings in some areas, the Tipo's dull driving experience is likely to put some people off. The styling details are neat, but the overall shape of the Tipo, along with its interior, is disappointingly drab. If you’re looking for a cheap family car, certainly give the Tipo a look.

The Fiat Tipo and Fiat Tipo Station Wagon (SW) estate are compact family cars, but they're for sale at a lower price than rivals such as the Ford Focus and VW Golf, so theoretically offer better value for money. There's also the saloon version to consider, although it's only offered with a 94bhp petrol engine.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Fiat has used existing tech for the Tipo. It's built on an enlarged platform that's shared with the likes of the Jeep Renegade, Fiat 500L/500X and Fiat Doblo van, while engines and in-car technology are also common with other Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Jeep vehicles.

Advertisement - Article continues below

• Best hatchbacks to buy

Those engines include Fiat's ageing naturally aspirated 1.4 petrol, the newer 1.4 T-Jet turbo petrol and 1.6 Multijet diesel. All cars are front engine, front-wheel drive, with 6-speed manual gearboxes for the petrol engines and an optional 6-speed auto for the diesel.

The Tipo range is structured in a simple way, with straightforward price rises between grades. The entry-level 1.4 95hp Easy hatchback starts at around £15,000, while Higher spec Lounge trim is £2,000 more than Easy. Sporty S-Design is another £1,000 on top of that, with the top-of-the-range Sport versions costing just over £21,000.

The 1.6-litre diesel is only available in Mirror and Lounge trim. Choose S-Design, and you only have the petrol engines to choose from. Any of these trims can be had in Tipo SW estate guise. And guess what? £1,000 is added to the list price.

As well as this core model range, Fiat offers plenty of good-value special editions with added kit. The Fiat Tipo Street is an upgrade of Easy trim for £500 that adds black detailing, black alloy wheels and tinted windows for a sportier look, but retaining the pedestrian 1.4-litre petrol engine. Elsewhere, the Fiat Tipo Mirror adds touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus other kit for a modest price increase over Easy Plus.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Another special is the Fiat Tipo Sport. This takes S-Design and adds a sportier bodykit with a rear diffuser, front splitter, side skirts and a black contrast roof. There's more kit inside, too, although again it only comes with the two petrol engine options, so there's no power upgrade to go with the sportier looks.

Overall, the Fiat Tipo is a decent budget choice, and offers more kit than similarly priced versions of cars such as the Focus, Renault Megane and Peugeot 308. But it does feel like a budget option inside, and the dated technology under the skin means it's not as dynamic as its rivals and is likely to be pricier to run, too.

Tipo history

The Fiat Tipo hatchback introduced in the UK in 2016 (it arrived first as a saloon in other markets in 2015) is the second car to use the Tipo name. The original Tipo of 1988 was the successor to the Ritmo, and it even won the European Car Of The Year title in 1989. You'll be hard-pressed to find one these days, but its platform was used on a number of other cars, including the Alfa Romeo 145/146, Fiat Coupe Turbo and Lancia Delta.

While that car also spawned the Fiat Tipo 16V hot hatchback, that hasn't been the case with the current car. The only real variation is the Tipo Station Wagon estate, which offers added practicality over the hatch courtesy of its larger boot.

For an alternative review of the latest Fiat Tipo hatchback visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Tipo

New 2025 Fiat Tipo to get SUV-inspired makeover
Fiat Tipo - front watermarked

New 2025 Fiat Tipo to get SUV-inspired makeover

The next-generation Fiat Tipo will switch from hatchback to a family-sized crossover, and our exclusive images preview how it could look
News
19 Jan 2023
Fiat Panda and Tipo Garmin special editions arrive
Fiat Panda and Tipo Garmin special editions

Fiat Panda and Tipo Garmin special editions arrive

New look for Panda and Tipo thanks to Fiat and Garmin collaboration
News
16 May 2022
New Fiat Tipo Hybrid 2022 review
New Fiat Tipo Hybrid 2022 - front

New Fiat Tipo Hybrid 2022 review

The Fiat Tipo gets hybrid power for the first time, but does electrification take it to the next level?
Road tests
13 May 2022
Fiat 500X and Tipo revised with suite of MY22 updates
Fiat 500X - front

Fiat 500X and Tipo revised with suite of MY22 updates

Fiat’s 500X crossover and Tipo hatchback have received a few specification changes, just before the 22-plate change
News
12 Jan 2022
Used Fiat Tipo review

Used Fiat Tipo review

A full used buyer’s guide on the Fiat Tipo covering the Tipo Mk2 (2016-date)
Used car tests
11 Dec 2020
Facelifted Fiat Tipo hatchback on sale now priced from £17,690

Facelifted Fiat Tipo hatchback on sale now priced from £17,690

The updated Fiat Tipo hatchback will hit the UK market later this month sporting a few cosmetic tweaks and a new SUV-inspired Cross trim-level
News
13 Nov 2020
New Fiat Tipo family to include Nissan Qashqai rival

New Fiat Tipo family to include Nissan Qashqai rival

The Fiat Tipo hatchback will morph into a range of new models, while a Fiat Punto successor is also on the way
News
23 May 2020
New Fiat Tipo Street trim level announced
Fiat Tipo Street - front

New Fiat Tipo Street trim level announced

The Fiat Tipo Street adds a host of exterior upgrades, including black alloys and LED daytime running lights, to the entry-level Easy model
News
15 Feb 2019
Skoda Rapid Spaceback vs Dacia Logan MCV vs Fiat Tipo
Skoda Rapid Spaceback vs Dacia Logan MCV Stepway vs Fiat Tipo - teaser

Skoda Rapid Spaceback vs Dacia Logan MCV vs Fiat Tipo

Facelifted Skoda Rapid Spaceback meets Fiat Tipo and Dacia Logan MCV in practical small car battle
Car group tests
23 Sep 2017
Fiat Tipo vs Skoda Rapid vs Citroen C4
Fiat Tipo vs Skoda Rapid vs Citroen C4 - header

Fiat Tipo vs Skoda Rapid vs Citroen C4

Fiat has revived its Tipo as a value-focused family car. Can it beat similarly priced rivals from Skoda and Citroen?
Car group tests
25 Oct 2016
New Fiat Tipo 1.6 diesel review
Fiat Tipo - front

New Fiat Tipo 1.6 diesel review

Fiat's budget hatchback scores on comfort and practicality buy how well does the value proposition really stack up?
Road tests
21 Sep 2016
Skip advert
Advertisement
New Fiat Tipo Station Wagon estate 2016 review
Fiat Tipo Station Wagon estate - front tracking

New Fiat Tipo Station Wagon estate 2016 review

We drive the refined and comfortable family estate version of the Fiat Tipo - can it keep up with more accomplished rivals?
Road tests
18 May 2016
New Fiat Tipo 2016 review
Fiat Tipo hatch 2016 - front tracking 2

New Fiat Tipo 2016 review

Fiat is back in the family hatchback sector with an all new Tipo. Can it challenge the Focus and Astra?
Road tests
6 May 2016
New Fiat Tipo hatchback to start from £12,995
Fiat Tipo - Geneva show front

New Fiat Tipo hatchback to start from £12,995

Fiat's 2016 Tipo range undercuts Skoda Rapid and Vauxhall Astra, while estate will start from £13,995
News
5 May 2016
Fiat Tipo 1.6 Multijet saloon review
New Fiat Tipo 2016 front tracking

Fiat Tipo 1.6 Multijet saloon review

First drive of new budget saloon that could take on the Skoda Rapid when it reaches UK shores
Road tests
3 Dec 2015