New Fiat Tipo 2016 review - pictures

<p class="p1">The Tipo is merely average to drive and interior quality isn’t great, but with good looks, plenty of space and that promised super-low starting price it looks to offer decent value.</p>

<p class="p1">By undercutting the family hatch big-hitters in price, rather than beating them at their own game, the Tipo might succeed where the Bravo couldn’t.</p>

<p class="p1">In the UK we’ll only be receiving a five-door hatchback and estate (both of which will be shown at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show), and not&nbsp;the four-door saloon you see here,&nbsp;as the small saloon market is marginal.<

<p class="p1">The steering wheel and some switchgear is borrowed from the <span class="s1">500</span> range and feels of adequate quality, but on the lower dash and doors you’ll find hard, scratchy plastics and a mixture of unpleasantl

<p class="p1">Equipment is good, with all models getting air conditioning, cruise control and a five-inch ‘Uconnect’ touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity.</p>

<p class="p1">The sloping roofline eats into head space slightly, but there’s still room for a 6ft 2 driver to sit behind himself easily.&nbsp;</p>

<p class="p1">On the road it’s clear the Tipo has been set up with comfort in mind, with a soft setup smoothing out all but the roughest of Turin’s potholed roads.</p>

<p class="p1">Enter a bend quickly and body roll is noticeable, however, while the steering is well-weighted but lacks any sense of feel.</p>

<p class="p1">The 1.6-litre diesel, however, is only adequate. There’s noticeable lag in lower gears, and while it’s subdued at a cruise it becomes noisy past 3,000rpm.</p>

<p class="p1">As you’d expect from a saloon, the boot is a sizeable 520 litres, although the conversion to hatchback form may see that reduce slightly.</p>